Re: Topband: Change in 160m conditions
Due to low sunspot activity the atmo/ionosphere shrinks, layer's height decreases, skip/ducting is impacted. Please se my old article http://k3bu.us/propagation.htm Also weather changes become more extreme, not because "Global whatever" Gases, atmosphere becomes more dense, layers become lower. Yuri K3BU/KH6 On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 06:20 PM, Dan Edward Dba East edwards wrote: > I have the same experience as Dave, in recent years... though with a much more modest antenna farm...in suburban Longview, Tx. JM2C, w5xz, dan On Thursday, November 9, 2017 7:30 AM, JC wrote: It seems to me that DX conditions have been pretty poor for the past 10 years on 160m . . . << Hi Roger I see your point on things changing. However I have a different experience. The noise is up. Every day there is a new "thing" that used FVD, switching power supply and the LED's.. oh boy the LED's that generate noise up to 50 MHz Old antennas practice does not work any mote the way it worked 10 years ago. Null canceling , deep front back, and other "simple" to achieve is not enough. The last 10 years has been very different, check the K9LA presentation on WWROF archives how long the deep of solar cycle last. Carl shows the last 5 cycles last 2 years between less than 20 SSN. The last cycle 24 last almost 5 years, see page 8 here; http://wwrof.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WWROF-A-Look-at-Propagation-for- the-2017-2018-Contest-Season-pdf.pdf The actual cycle may be longer and better than 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. I started on 160m in 1970 , for me, and the ones with new antennas with 12 db RDF or more, the last 10 years was the best ever on 160m, and here is why I say that, 1- I worked #294 countries in the last 10 years and I heard #310, the 16 countries I missed was because my 1500w was not enough to be heard on the other side. (lack of RX antenna on the DX side) 2- NX4D, Doug worked # 305 and heat probably a dozen more on the last 13 years. 3- The Waller Flag horizontal can dig signals 20 db below the same noise from the vertical TX antenna. 4- I live in a city lot with noise from everywhere. All my 160m antennas are in my back yard 100 x 150 ft. 5- Doug also has noise on the sub-division and live on 1/5 acre lot. 6- I know, and personal helped more than 50 WF installation and all antennas is performing as my original WF 7- The extra 23 years on the deep cycle 24, 2009,2010 and 2011 provided a large number of long path SSW/SSE openings with south Asia. I experiences hundreds of days with openings. The SSE/SSW path will be open soon. 8- Low RDF antennas does help and it is a game change, a simple FLAG, EWE, K9AY, SAL , all near 8 db RDF doe hear station Q5 that you can't head on the TX antenna, however 2 flags, EWE, K9AY in phase can increase the RDF near to 12 dB and you can dig 8 to 10 db more below the noise flor. 9- 1db increase on the RDF increases 2 db or more noise figure, it's a measured number with real antennas and signals on the band, not a simulation on EZNEC or calculations. you can measure it too. 10- For the new generation using digital FT8, the improvement is the same, a HWF can improve a signal -19 db to a +1 db. it means you are missing another 20 db layer of weak signals without high performance RX antenna. It point is : You don't know what you are missing if you don't have anything to compare with. Get a high RDF RX antennas! You can't have enough. The deep of cycle 25 can last 6 or more years, think about that. We are just at the door. JC N4IS _ 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: Far Circuits K9ay Loop kit
Hi All I have dug my old Far Circuits K9ay kit out and was trying trying the preamp in it on my RX loop, When I switch it in line it kills the RX by about 30db, anyone have any troubleshooting tips for it, Thanks Trevor EI2GLB _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Change in 160m conditions
I have the same experience as Dave, in recent years... though with a much more modest antenna farm...in suburban Longview, Tx. JM2C, w5xz, dan On Thursday, November 9, 2017 7:30 AM, JC wrote: >> It seems to me that DX conditions have been pretty poor for the past 10 years on 160m . . . << Hi Roger I see your point on things changing. However I have a different experience. The noise is up. Every day there is a new "thing" that used FVD, switching power supply and the LED's.. oh boy the LED's that generate noise up to 50 MHz Old antennas practice does not work any mote the way it worked 10 years ago. Null canceling , deep front back, and other "simple" to achieve is not enough. The last 10 years has been very different, check the K9LA presentation on WWROF archives how long the deep of solar cycle last. Carl shows the last 5 cycles last 2 years between less than 20 SSN. The last cycle 24 last almost 5 years, see page 8 here; http://wwrof.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WWROF-A-Look-at-Propagation-for- the-2017-2018-Contest-Season-pdf.pdf The actual cycle may be longer and better than 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. I started on 160m in 1970 , for me, and the ones with new antennas with 12 db RDF or more, the last 10 years was the best ever on 160m, and here is why I say that, 1- I worked #294 countries in the last 10 years and I heard #310, the 16 countries I missed was because my 1500w was not enough to be heard on the other side. (lack of RX antenna on the DX side) 2- NX4D, Doug worked # 305 and heat probably a dozen more on the last 13 years. 3- The Waller Flag horizontal can dig signals 20 db below the same noise from the vertical TX antenna. 4- I live in a city lot with noise from everywhere. All my 160m antennas are in my back yard 100 x 150 ft. 5- Doug also has noise on the sub-division and live on 1/5 acre lot. 6- I know, and personal helped more than 50 WF installation and all antennas is performing as my original WF 7- The extra 23 years on the deep cycle 24, 2009,2010 and 2011 provided a large number of long path SSW/SSE openings with south Asia. I experiences hundreds of days with openings. The SSE/SSW path will be open soon. 8- Low RDF antennas does help and it is a game change, a simple FLAG, EWE, K9AY, SAL , all near 8 db RDF doe hear station Q5 that you can't head on the TX antenna, however 2 flags, EWE, K9AY in phase can increase the RDF near to 12 dB and you can dig 8 to 10 db more below the noise flor. 9- 1db increase on the RDF increases 2 db or more noise figure, it's a measured number with real antennas and signals on the band, not a simulation on EZNEC or calculations. you can measure it too. 10- For the new generation using digital FT8, the improvement is the same, a HWF can improve a signal -19 db to a +1 db. it means you are missing another 20 db layer of weak signals without high performance RX antenna. It point is : You don't know what you are missing if you don't have anything to compare with. Get a high RDF RX antennas! You can't have enough. The deep of cycle 25 can last 6 or more years, think about that. We are just at the door. JC N4IS _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Relay info needed,
Which of these would be suitable https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F162342540907 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F162738582467 I need 2 as I have a 80m wire suspended off the 160m vertical so I detune that as well when in RX Also I'm switching the ground of the coax so when I'm in Rx the coax gnd is floating is this needed as it would reduce the need of a third relay, Thanks Trevor - Original Message - From: John K9UWA To: MR TREVOR DUNNE Sent: Mon, 13 Nov 2017 03:18:34 - (GMT) Subject: Re: Topband: Relay info needed, http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"; xml:lang="en" lang="en"> Most people use a Vacuum Relay called an RJ-1 as they have enough current ability and they are FAST as Fast is most important or else you will burn up the relay when you hit transmit and the relay isn't back to transmit position when it hits it arcs and welds the contacts. Or blows them. John k9uwa > Hi All > > So after I got my vertical all tuned in I have been having a blast on TB over > the last week or two, > > Thanks to everyone who helped me with that by the way, there was too many of you > to reply to everyone but I can't thank you all enough, > > Anyway on to the next problem, > > I built a small relay box to disconnect the vertical from the coax to reduce > re-radiated noise on my RX antenna, > > This evening I was checking and TB seemed very quite and it seems that the relay > has burnt out, ( iwent out at 11pm to short it to work the 9U for a new one) > > it's a 12v 30amp automotive relay one you would use for spot lights or an air > horn ect, > > I'm guessing this isn't up to the job, I have the relay in line between the end > of the vertical and the top of the coil as that where I was told to place it, > > Can anyone recommend a better relay for the job, ideally it would be 12v coil as > thats what I have going out to the box, > > I was looking at some split charge relays rated at 200 amps would that be a > better job or failing that Array solutions have some relays that might work but > by the time I'd get them over here would be expensive, > > https://www.arraysolutions.com/rf-10 > > Thanks > Trevor > EI2GLB > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > John Goller, K9UWA & Jean Goller, N9PXF Antique Radio Restorations Visit our Web Site at: http://www.JohnJeanAntiqueRadio.com"; target="_blank"> http://www.JohnJeanAntiqueRadio.com 4836 Ranch Road Leo, IN 46765 USA 1-260-220-9456 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: VE1ZZ Jack Leahy
Many thanks for the info Jeff . . . I had wondered where he was. Like others, I have worked Jack countless times over the decades on 160m. Always a great signal, and always takes the trouble to give you a call if he hears you on. If you're in contact again, do please pass my very best to him and his XYL, and hope he can get back on the band soon. 73 Roger G3YRO _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
