Topband: Budget high-performance topband transceiver
G’day I’ve enjoyed the recent discussions about the best cost-effective transceiver for use on 160m. Thought there were a couple of other ideas to throw into the pot on this topic. For those on a serious budget, the Icom IC-751A and the Kenwood TS-830S are still excellent performers on 160m for $500 or less – and can be found with 500Hz filters in two IFs if you are lucky. The IC-751A is also a great receiver for the 630m band and DX listening to NDBs. For those topbanders like Barry N1EU who are interested in SDR, the latest version of the PowerSDR/OpenHPSDR software and its associated firmware places the coding involved with CW generation inside the main FPGA associated with the HPSDR/Hermes/ANAN radio. The radio’s sidetone is generated completely in the FPGA and is not sent to PowerSDR, so there should be zero latency between a key press and the radio’s sidetone appearing. I haven’t tried this software on my HPSDR yet, but am looking forward to doing so, as this improvement apparently removes the last hurdle for a SDR transceiver to be a truly attractive alternative to the K3 etc for a serious CW DX/contest operator. Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Budget high-performance topband transceiver
Another one for the mix is the FT1000D, especially with the sub receiver. Do the modification to gang the VFOs together plus the NB and key clicks mods and you have yourself a radio that is Diversity capable and difficult to beat. Plus easier to listen too than a K3. 73 Clive GM3POI With both radios -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steve Ireland Sent: 22 June 2014 14:09 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Budget high-performance topband transceiver G’day I’ve enjoyed the recent discussions about the best cost-effective transceiver for use on 160m. Thought there were a couple of other ideas to throw into the pot on this topic. For those on a serious budget, the Icom IC-751A and the Kenwood TS-830S are still excellent performers on 160m for $500 or less – and can be found with 500Hz filters in two IFs if you are lucky. The IC-751A is also a great receiver for the 630m band and DX listening to NDBs. For those topbanders like Barry N1EU who are interested in SDR, the latest version of the PowerSDR/OpenHPSDR software and its associated firmware places the coding involved with CW generation inside the main FPGA associated with the HPSDR/Hermes/ANAN radio. The radio’s sidetone is generated completely in the FPGA and is not sent to PowerSDR, so there should be zero latency between a key press and the radio’s sidetone appearing. I haven’t tried this software on my HPSDR yet, but am looking forward to doing so, as this improvement apparently removes the last hurdle for a SDR transceiver to be a truly attractive alternative to the K3 etc for a serious CW DX/contest operator. Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Budget high-performance topband transceiver
On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 2:09 PM, Steve Ireland wrote: > > For those topbanders like Barry N1EU who are interested in SDR, the latest > version of the PowerSDR/OpenHPSDR software and its associated firmware > places the coding involved with CW generation inside the main FPGA > associated with the HPSDR/Hermes/ANAN radio. The radio’s sidetone is > generated completely in the FPGA and is not sent to PowerSDR, so there > should be zero latency between a key press and the radio’s sidetone > appearing. > > I haven’t tried this software on my HPSDR yet, but am looking forward to > doing so, as this improvement apparently removes the last hurdle for a SDR > transceiver to be a truly attractive alternative to the K3 etc for a > serious CW DX/contest operator. > Steve, unfortunately the latest firmware/software hasn't addressed the cw RECEIVE latency (I measured 160msec) which has always been the more significant cw issue. There are no current plans to address this to the best of my knowledge. This is a show stopper for serious cw contesting with the OpenHPSDR radios. And we haven't spoken about ssb. The Flex 6000 series has an order of magnitude less latency, which its internal dsp architecture allows. Their software is slowly catching up with their hardware and I expect a lot of contest activity from the Flex 6000's in the 2014-2015 upcoming contest season. The new Flex 6300 may turn out to be a real bang for the buck super-star . 73, Barry N1EU _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Budget high-performance topband transceiver
Would you mind repeating that in English Steve (-; Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: "Steve Ireland" To: Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2014 10:09 AM Subject: Topband: Budget high-performance topband transceiver G’day I’ve enjoyed the recent discussions about the best cost-effective transceiver for use on 160m. Thought there were a couple of other ideas to throw into the pot on this topic. For those on a serious budget, the Icom IC-751A and the Kenwood TS-830S are still excellent performers on 160m for $500 or less – and can be found with 500Hz filters in two IFs if you are lucky. The IC-751A is also a great receiver for the 630m band and DX listening to NDBs. For those topbanders like Barry N1EU who are interested in SDR, the latest version of the PowerSDR/OpenHPSDR software and its associated firmware places the coding involved with CW generation inside the main FPGA associated with the HPSDR/Hermes/ANAN radio. The radio’s sidetone is generated completely in the FPGA and is not sent to PowerSDR, so there should be zero latency between a key press and the radio’s sidetone appearing. I haven’t tried this software on my HPSDR yet, but am looking forward to doing so, as this improvement apparently removes the last hurdle for a SDR transceiver to be a truly attractive alternative to the K3 etc for a serious CW DX/contest operator. Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7722 - Release Date: 06/22/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Where was everyone last night
160 was almost as quiet as a graveyard last night. I heard and repeatedly called N7GP, NO3M and KV4FZ but received no answers. After an hour I went to bed. 73 - Dick/w7wkr CN98pi _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
HI Dick, I wondered the same thing. I could hear a number of stations who were very loud but apparently had difficulty hearing me (I worked KV4FZ after a few calls...thanks Herb). Thanks to those who worked me. After 2 hours and only 25 stations in the log and numerous unanswered CQs I went to bed (0300-0500 op time). Anyone get an error from the robot about the log date format? I used N1MM and it seems in order. I emailed Tree. 73 Darrell AB2E > From: dick.bing...@gmail.com > Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:20:12 -0700 > To: topband@contesting.com > Subject: Topband: Where was everyone last night > > 160 was almost as quiet as a graveyard last night. > > I heard and repeatedly called N7GP, NO3M and KV4FZ but received no answers. > > After an hour I went to bed. > > 73 - Dick/w7wkr CN98pi > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
First off - I am sorry I totally forgot about the Summer Stew last night and did not make some noise about it here on the reflector. I also had forgotten to update the log robot - so please send in your log again. I think I have it programmed correctly now. Bummed that I missed it. Tree N6TR On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 10:27 AM, AB2E Darrell wrote: > HI Dick, > I wondered the same thing. > I could hear a number of stations who were very loud but apparently had > difficulty hearing me (I worked KV4FZ after a few calls...thanks Herb). > Thanks to those who worked me. > After 2 hours and only 25 stations in the log and numerous unanswered CQs > I went to bed (0300-0500 op time). > > Anyone get an error from the robot about the log date format? > I used N1MM and it seems in order. I emailed Tree. > > 73 Darrell AB2E > > > From: dick.bing...@gmail.com > > Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:20:12 -0700 > > To: topband@contesting.com > > Subject: Topband: Where was everyone last night > > > > 160 was almost as quiet as a graveyard last night. > > > > I heard and repeatedly called N7GP, NO3M and KV4FZ but received no > answers. > > > > After an hour I went to bed. > > > > 73 - Dick/w7wkr CN98pi > > _ > > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
Hi all, I expected more from the event. Conditions were not bad altogether but very little activity. Some frustration from calling but not being heard. The best DX of the night - w1aw/kl7 ran by Kevin, kl7ky. Heard but not worked: K1LT, N5IR, WD8DSB, LU5YF. 73 Alex HC2AO _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
On Sunday, June 22, 2014 10:41:31 PM ALEXEY OGORODOV wrote: > Heard but not worked: K1LT, ... I had the same frustration calling you at one point and not being heard. I guess the noise levels and propagation are not constant! Thanks for trying! Victor, K1LT _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 2:41 PM, ALEXEY OGORODOV wrote: > Heard but not worked: K1LT, N5IR, WD8DSB, LU5YF. Alex I called you a few times too, but no luck. Only worked 26 stations during the contest as lightning activity was pretty high in the US which caused lots of QRN so I just kept waking up to see what I could hear and only operated a total of a few hours. Finally worked Herb (KV4FZ) after calling him numerous times earlier in the event to no avail. Thanks for trying, and for all your efforts on 160 meters. 73, Don (wd8dsb) _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
I was there, gents. Worked both of you 73 George W8UVZ -Original Message- From: Don Kirk Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:18 PM To: ALEXEY OGORODOV Cc: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 2:41 PM, ALEXEY OGORODOV wrote: Heard but not worked: K1LT, N5IR, WD8DSB, LU5YF. Alex I called you a few times too, but no luck. Only worked 26 stations during the contest as lightning activity was pretty high in the US which caused lots of QRN so I just kept waking up to see what I could hear and only operated a total of a few hours. Finally worked Herb (KV4FZ) after calling him numerous times earlier in the event to no avail. Thanks for trying, and for all your efforts on 160 meters. 73, Don (wd8dsb) _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
Folks, I think it's a normal occurance - sometimes we hear, sometimes we don't. The whole magic of radio is in it otherwise we would've stuck to landlines and cellphones. Summer condition was at its best with the Down South people hearing and sometimes working those Up North, the "local" North - South (US to SA and the Carribean, EU to AF - not sure if happened this time though), and us, at equator, picking up crumbs from everybody's feast. LOL. Only 15 q's here. I didn't spend much time calling CQ, mostly scanning the band for new calls. The Band was open right from my SS. KV4FZ was the first to hear me. VE3TA was light at first but managed to copy me puny sigs easily. A surprise was to hear Kevin, W1AW/KL7 calling CQ with s9+5 and a few callers. Uncle Herb, KV4FZ was LOUD all the way through the event (called him by accident with 20 watts - he replied at once), Brother Eric, NO3M was there as well from SS to SR anything from s4 to s9+5. Tio Bolmar, HK1MW showed up around his SR and made a few happy. Remarkable signal from N7GP but it took three 5 minutes attempts to log him. I understand - QRN and stuff. Around my SR Great Lakes blasted through - Pete, N0FW, and George W8UVZ. George you were louder ))). No Pacific, no EU heard. 73 Alex HC2AO Sun, 22 Jun 2014 17:23:37 -0400 от "George" : >I was there, gents. Worked both of you > >73 George W8UVZ > >-Original Message- >From: Don Kirk >Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:18 PM >To: ALEXEY OGORODOV >Cc: topband >Subject: Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night > >On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 2:41 PM, ALEXEY OGORODOV wrote: >> Heard but not worked: K1LT, N5IR, WD8DSB, LU5YF. > >Alex I called you a few times too, but no luck. Only worked 26 stations >during the contest as lightning activity was pretty high in the US which >caused lots of QRN so I just kept waking up to see what I could hear and >only operated a total of a few hours. Finally worked Herb (KV4FZ) after >calling him numerous times earlier in the event to no avail. Thanks for >trying, and for all your efforts on 160 meters. > >73, >Don (wd8dsb) >_ >Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband >_ >Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Summer Stew
We had horrendous electrical storms here in Missouri until 5am. Not being particularly brave, the idea of working a rig tied to a 100 foot lightening rod in a storm is not appealing. Not mentioning the static crashes. At least December is quiet ... wait 'til next year ed K0KL _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night
I was on, but traded a good antenna and 5w for a lousy antenna and 100w. So couldn't work any dx. Had to go to bed early too because of a road trip today. Thanks to all who got on, it was fun since it was my first 160 test with the k3. My k2 is lonely now. Pat N8VW On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 01:59:29 +0400 ALEXEY OGORODOV wrote > > Folks, > > I think it's a normal occurance - sometimes we hear, sometimes we don't. The > whole magic of radio is in it otherwise we would've stuck to landlines and > cellphones. Summer condition was at its best with the Down South people > hearing and sometimes working those Up North, the "local" North - South (US > to SA and the Carribean, EU to AF - not sure if happened this time though), > and us, at equator, picking up crumbs from everybody's feast. LOL. Only 15 > q's here. I didn't spend much time calling CQ, mostly scanning the band for > new calls. The Band was open right from my SS. KV4FZ was the first to hear > me. VE3TA was light at first but managed to copy me puny sigs easily. A > surprise was to hear Kevin, W1AW/KL7 calling CQ with s9+5 and a few callers. > Uncle Herb, KV4FZ was LOUD all the way through the event (called him by > accident with 20 watts - he replied at once), Brother Eric, NO3M was there as > well from SS to SR anything from s4 to s9+5. Tio Bolmar, HK1MW showed up > around his SR and made a few happy. Remarkable signal from N7GP but it took > three 5 minutes attempts to log him. I understand - QRN and stuff. Around my > SR Great Lakes blasted through - Pete, N0FW, and George W8UVZ. George you > were louder ))). No Pacific, no EU heard. > > 73 Alex > HC2AO > > > > > Sun, 22 Jun 2014 17:23:37 -0400 от "George" : > >I was there, gents. Worked both of you > > > >73 George W8UVZ > > > >-Original Message- > >From: Don Kirk > >Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:18 PM > >To: ALEXEY OGORODOV > >Cc: topband > >Subject: Re: Topband: Where was everyone last night > > > >On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 2:41 PM, ALEXEY OGORODOV wrote: > >> Heard but not worked: K1LT, N5IR, WD8DSB, LU5YF. > > > >Alex I called you a few times too, but no luck. Only worked 26 stations > >during the contest as lightning activity was pretty high in the US which > >caused lots of QRN so I just kept waking up to see what I could hear and > >only operated a total of a few hours. Finally worked Herb (KV4FZ) after > >calling him numerous times earlier in the event to no avail. Thanks for > >trying, and for all your efforts on 160 meters. > > > >73, > >Don (wd8dsb) > >_ > >Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > >_ > >Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
