Re: Topband: Might be a good EU DX night

[Grant Saviers]

I saw 8+ stations all calling VP8EME MANY times.  So he was widely heard 
and here (Seattle) about -13.  I only saw a couple of Q's completed, so 
you were not alone. I had worked him before and remember it wasn't that 
difficult, but obviously he was having hearing problems tonight.  It is 
summer there, mid 50's. I was there Jan 2017 and had a great visit with 
Bob VP8LP and his wife Janet VP8AIB, who is also active.


Grant KZ1W

On 12/27/2018 19:31 PM, Mark Lunday wrote:

And unfortunately, even with additional radials I put down last weekend, my 100 
watts to the 1/4 wave inverted L (90 feet vertical) was not enough to get 
through to VP8EME.

The bizarre thing about seeing his signal is that NOONE ELSE called him.  I was 
copying him -12, the band was packed, but not a single station replied to his 
repeated CQ's.

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG
Greensboro, NC  FM06be
wd4...@arrl.net
http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
SKCC #16439  FISTS #17972  QRP ARCI #16497
_
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Topband: The Stew Perry TopBand Challenge 1500Z Dec.29 2018

[Lew Sayre]

Greetings 160M Operators of our Solar System..and Ops of lesser bands,,

I've heard it firsthand, that up on Top Band, the propagation can be rather
scary.
But here comes a test that's above all the rest, and is best known as The
 Fabulous Stew Perry.
Conditions can be bad but the Q's can be had, if the Op really knows of the
mix,
by twiddling the knobs to filter the slobs who insist on running
rigs with strong clicks!
The band can be tough with operators quite rough who will search each
frequency and cranny,
The winners who care to sit up all night there, and keep their perch under
their fanny.
The Stew scoring rules now challenge the fools who keep unfair judging
alive,
you'll make a long Q which makes more points for you than the old country
multiplier jive.
You'll have 14 hours to test out your powers of sending and getting mayhem.
You may shriek, you may swear but the signals with care you'll pull right
out of the din.
This time of the year, with Christmas so near makes operating time a prized
thing.
So make things good deeded to get the time needed to compete for The Stew's
wooden bling.
The donors below are the Stalwarts we know who typify real radio lore.
They make a donation for a plaque-type creation that'll drop your jaw right
to the floor.
So I've written this tome, I wouldn't call it a poem, to attract your care
and attention.
to invite you to play, in a nocturnal way, in the 22ed Stew Perry
Convention.
  by Dr. Big Gun with apologies to Robt. Service

 Go read the rules at:http://www.kkn.net/stew/ 
   and then appreciate
the Radio stalwarts who have sponsored plaques for this year's Big Stew.
Join them by creating a sturdy classification and then send me your notion.
 Cost is only $65 a plaque which will go up next year. This year is a
bargain.


KL7RATop # QSOs, S/O
EI2CN  W/K/N/VE/XE station with most QSOs with EI/British Isles
N9TFTop Score QRP, from RF deprived Grids EN00 through EN79
N9TFTop # Grids NA,S/O,QRP non-resonant antenna <40' above
  ground
N9TF Top Score USA,S/O,L/P-multi trap vertical, non-resonant on
  160M   no matching device for 160 on or at antenna, tuner in shack
 OK.
UX1UA   Top # SA + NA QSOs by Zone 16 Station
UX1UA   Top # QSOs with Zone 16 by NA Station
K7CA  Top Score Zone 22
K7CA  Top Score Zone 24

W2GD Team   Top # QSOs wid NA/SA by EU Station
KH6LCTop Score From VK or ZL
K1EP   Top Score by Op 21 y/o or less
K2PO   Top Score, S/O, Low Power, Zone 3
K5WA   Top # Grids using minimally directional antennas-
  (random wire, inverted V or Loop, etc.)
K5WATop # Grids 100 watts or less
N7GP Top # NA Grids worked from Zone 25
VE9AA   Top Score 100w Mobile- (vehicle,radio, antenna all
  capable of actual highway travel. No need to sign /M)
WA6CDR N5IA Memorial- Top # Grids Worked
NQ6N   Highest score by Station working other Stations
who are running 100 watts or less
EI4HQ Top Score, S/O, QRP
K6ND   K6SE Memorial- Top Score, S/O, World
W7RH  Top Score Asia, Low Power (100W or less)
K7FLTop Score 100% S & P
KR2Q   Golden Log- Highest # QSOs with no busts
VK6GX Heroic Tropical QRN Fighters- (Top Score +/- 15 deg
  of equator)
K2AVMaster of The Small Lot- (Top Score from property
 containing all antennas =/< 1/4 acre, 1012 meters square, 10890 sq
ft)
WQ4RPTop Score, Multi-Op, world, QRP

VK6VZ   A Flying Doctors of VK Baseball cap for Top Score- Northern
Hemisphere  Station working Southern Hemisphere Stations.

 The Big Stew is  just hours away. The band has been very good of late.
Go polish your Beverages and Flags, lay in a supply of coffee, replenish
your sleep deficit and sponsor a Stew Perry Plaque that only you can
come up with.
 There will be another posting of the available plaques during the
daytime
on Dec. 29. It may have further plaque possibilities for you to ruminate
over.
 73 and I remain,
Leww7ew The Boring Amateur Radio Club Committee on Free Verse
w...@arrl.net
_
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Re: Topband: launching lines over trees

[Michael Walker]

I have 80 ft trees that are used to hold up several antennas.

I have used 2 methods.

The most accurate is a Drone that I have used for years that was built from
a parts from Hobby King and the Wii controller.  I use a servo to pull a
pin that allows the payload to drop.  It can easily lift enough weight to
pull a 15 pound kevlar fishing line over the tree, but I have found that
you have to fly at least twice as high as the tree to allow gravity to do
its work.   From there, I pull back the poly binder twine and then I use
that to pull the final antenna line, usually some sort of UV protected
Kevlar.   You can't do this with a $40 kids drone as it won't lift enough
weight and it just scary to fly.  I had pictures of me doing it in
published in  QST many years ago (maybe 6-8 years ago).

My next go to is an Air Cannon that fires a payload of 2 AA batteries taped
together and the same 15 pound fishing line.  I find this to work well
enough, but it can go a little further than I want to go considering I am
dealing with a forest.  It takes about 50 psi to fire the payload over the
80ft trees without effort.  The batteries are in a 1/2" pvc pipe (I
think... I built it a long time ago).  In Canada, I got most of the parts
are a local hardware store, but Harbor Freight int he US should work just
fine.

My inverted L goes between 2 trees and I now have a small bullet block  at
the apex of the L with 10ft of UV protected shock cord holding the block.
At the end of the antenna, another 10ft of UV protected shock cord is used
to ensure that swaying trees in 40 knot winds do not destroy the antenna.
I find this works very very well.

My biggest problem with the 160M with elevated radials is that the
resonance point of the antenna can vary about 40khz depending on if the
ground is frozen or not.  When it is frozen, the resonance point slides up
the band.  Once thawed, it moves back down.  I find that I have to add
about 6ft to the antenna in the winter and then take it out in the summer.

Mike va3mw


>
_
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Re: Topband: Might be a good EU DX night

[Mark Lunday]

And unfortunately, even with additional radials I put down last weekend, my 100 
watts to the 1/4 wave inverted L (90 feet vertical) was not enough to get 
through to VP8EME.

The bizarre thing about seeing his signal is that NOONE ELSE called him.  I was 
copying him -12, the band was packed, but not a single station replied to his 
repeated CQ's.

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG
Greensboro, NC  FM06be
wd4...@arrl.net
http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
SKCC #16439  FISTS #17972  QRP ARCI #16497
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Might be a good EU DX night

[Mark Lunday]

At sunset tonight I was decoding a strong FT8 signal from EK8ZT.  That's not a 
common DX at this QTH...6000 miles is a bit longer than I normally copy with my 
non-competitive station.

Then at 0330 I copied VP8EME with a strong signal on FT8.  Again, 6000+ miles, 
unusual with my setup.

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG
Greensboro, NC  FM06be
wd4...@arrl.net
http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
SKCC #16439  FISTS #17972  QRP ARCI #16497
_
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Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question

[Cecil Acuff]

It’s fun chasing pirates.  I had an SAL-30...worked great for BCB dxing.  Not 
sure what’s up at my place but I haven’t found an RX antenna yet that hears any 
better on 160 than my inverted L. Used K9AY, SAL-30, BOG no avail...can’t get 
to the next layer.

Won’t give up though.

Cecil
K5DL

Sent using recycled electrons.

> On Dec 27, 2018, at 6:09 PM, Mike Waters  wrote:
> 
> Shortwave broadcasting in 2018?! I thought there was hardly any English SW
> stations left, no?
> 
> 73, Mike
> www.w0btu.com
> 
>> On Thu, Dec 27, 2018, 5:16 PM Arthur Delibert  wrote:
>> 
>> ... I was able to put up a SAL-12, and I love it.  (I do mostly 49-, 60-
>> and 90-meter SWBC DX.)  ... KB3FJO
>> 
>> 
> _
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Re: Topband: launching lines over trees

[Grant Saviers]

I have tried most means for "line over branch" - slingshots with 
spinning reels, bow and arrow, arborist swing toss weights (that is a 
skill I don't have), fishing pole with sinker, tree climber, boom lifts, 
and finally the CSV19. Easily launches to 135'.  The last is by far the 
winner.  After using mine at FD, my club bought one which gets loaned 
out for regular use.  Advocates of other means were instantly converted. 
 The bow fishing line spool is a great accessory for the CSV and 
polyethylene braided line even at 50# strength is tiny. Posted B4, the 
Ryobi $20 18v hand compressor is terrific in the field, just don't 
exceed the max reservoir pressure.  The doggie tennis balls with the 
heavy cover and the recommended inserted pennies for weight come down 
thru big cedars, spruce, and hemlocks pretty easily.  My second line is 
usually paracord then it pulls up the line with the pulley that has the 
antenna support line threaded.  I'm happy when the tree grows around the 
pulley line - no chafe.  I always have a paracord pull down on the 
antenna line at the insulator so when (not if) the antenna wire breaks I 
can retrieve the line's end.  Always use Synthetic Textiles rope which 
seems to last forever.


Grant KZ1W

On 12/27/2018 12:17 PM, terry burge wrote:

My experience with sling shots has been dismal and dangerous. I've had the lead 
weights come back at me or go off in other directions. And anyone who can put a 
line over a hundred foot tree I'll take my hat off too. About 40 foot was my 
height as I recall. That was with one of these sling shots that have the fold 
over arm rest that are supposedly better than home brew jobs. Also, when the 
tubing breaks you can't find the right size and what you do find you can't get 
over the ends of the metal frame.

The air launched 2 oz. was better but from a restricted suburban lot can be 
dangerous, especially if the fishing line breaks sending the weight who knows 
where. My CSV19 I talked about awhile back is quite capable of shooting a line 
over a 150- fir tree, I've done it. The big thing is remember to open the bail 
on the fishing spool. Another thing maybe is to get good at judging how much 
pressure to use. Right now I have a 'lost' tennis ball hanging from my third 
set of guy wires on my tower that I think will be there for several years. Snap 
that 30# woven line and you don't know if you will ever find your tennis ball 
again. Days later, 'oh, there's that tennis ball I shot'. Thought I looked 
there before' type of thing. At least I've got a bit more room now in the 
country.

www.akbeng.com/products/antenna-launchers/csv19-launcher/

Best I've found. Now, if I could just figure out how to get some tree branches down 
that restrict my 4-square 3/16" dacron tie lines. Good luck using one of the 
other methods. I once saw my friend Steve, WB7OTR launch a weighted line over a 
rafter indoors about 45-50' high which was something I'll never in my best days be 
able to do. Did this while setting up a ham station at the Douglas County 
fairgrounds in Roseburg for the Umpqua Valley ham club. Funny, they never invited us 
back? Steve  was in the Coast Guard so maybe he got practice. 'how'd you do that?'

Terry
KI7M


On December 27, 2018 at 10:58 AM Mike Furrey  wrote:


Nice and Expensive! I use a $10 wrist rocket, a $5 spin-casting rod~n~reel from 
a yard sale, 3/4 oz fishing weight, ask someone to hold my beer, and tell 
everyone to go hide  ...


On Thu, 12/27/18, terry burge  wrote:

  Subject: Topband: launching lines over trees
  To: topband@contesting.com, "terry burge" 
  Date: Thursday, December 27, 2018, 4:20 AM
  
  Let me see if I can paste a link here. Using

  Windows 10 copy and paste never seems to work right for me.
  Anyway, this place has the most 'serious' line launchers
  I've ever come across.
  
  http://www.sherrilltree.com/climbing-gear/bigshot-launchers
  
  
  Take a look. (my copy and paste

  worked!).
  
  
  Terry
  
  KI7M
  
  _

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Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question

[Mike Waters]

Shortwave broadcasting in 2018?! I thought there was hardly any English SW
stations left, no?

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Thu, Dec 27, 2018, 5:16 PM Arthur Delibert  wrote:

> ... I was able to put up a SAL-12, and I love it.  (I do mostly 49-, 60-
> and 90-meter SWBC DX.)  ... KB3FJO
>
>
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question

[Arthur Delibert]

You may also want to check out the SAL-12, -20 or -30 antennas from Array 
Solutions.  My yard is pretty small, but I was able to put up a SAL-12, and I 
love it.  (I do mostly 49-, 60- and 90-meter SWBC DX.)  I can switch the 
antenna to any one of 8 different directions, and I'm often surprised to find 
that the DX is coming from a direction different from what I would expect.  
Often there's a very pronounced peak in the signal when the antenna is pointed 
in the right direction, and I really would not have had any copy if I couldn't 
point in that direction.

The SAL-12 isn't especially good on 160, but is good from 3 MHz and higher.  
The SAL-20 and -30 are reportedly very good on 160.  If I recall right, the 
SAL-20 is directional up to 20 meters; the SAL-30 is good up to 40 meters.  
Check the Array Solutions website to confirm.

These aren't as cheap as putting up your own pennant, but above 3 MHz, the 
SAL-12 aimed NE almost always outperforms my pennant pointed in the same 
direction.

Regards,
Art Delibert, KB3FJO


From: Topband  on behalf of Wes Stewart 

Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2018 11:34 AM
To: Jeff Woods
Cc: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question

Jeff, et.al.

1)  Yes, I am on 1.7 acres (2 AC - easements).  Some guys would love this much
land, to farmers it's just enough room for the barn.  Regardless, considering I
also have a house, a tower and a vertical antenna to share it with, I don't have
room for Beverages, at least not an effective ones that point in desired
directions. The latter can be akin to those guys who say, a 3/2 wavelength
dipole has gain over a dipole, but never consider whether that gain is in a
useful direction.

2)  Adding to my self-imposed challenges, I run, relatively speaking QRP, 500W,
with the whole station running on one 120 V 20A service.  Pragmatically, heroic
efforts to hear another level or two lower signals might be fruitless, although
clearly, I'm not adverse to challenges, which is why I'm on the band.

3)  I'm in southern Arizona, not Maine or the Florida peninsula, propagation is
different (read more difficult) here.

4)  I have researched, studied and modeled  many many other receive antennas,
passive and active.  I doubt that there are any that I haven't looked at, at
least casually. We have very poor ground here.  IMHO, ground-dependent antennas
are a no-go.  Ones that require a bunch of radials are especially unattractive.
I have enough to do to get a decent radial field under the TX antenna. (See my
QRZ page) Any of these left to consideration have very broad (~100 deg) patterns
that get their benefits by rejecting signals from the rear.  As stated at the
outset, that isn't my big issue.  Although your experience seems to differ, I
don't believe one of these beaming to England (30 deg) is going to do much to
attenuate signals from NY (50 deg), for example.

Regards,

Wes  N7WS

5)  On 12/26/2018 3:31 PM, Jeff Woods wrote:
> Wes,
>
> A sure sign that your RX antennas are good enough is when DX stations that are
> Q5 copy repeatedly CQ in your face.
>
> What Mike's saying is true; trying to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear
> that is a TX vertical is a losing game. Waller Flags, K9AYs, EWEs, etc. are
> all cheap and can easily be constructed to fit a 1.7 acre lot.  A short
> beverage may even feasible in that space, depending on the layout.
>
> When you speak of "QRM from the east," are you talking about being unable to
> overpower it on TX so the DX can hear you (my problem here), or are you
> speaking of RX QRM?  On RX at your QTH, it doesn't appear that the proverbial
> East Coast Wall should affect you much.  The azimuth to Europe from Tucson is
> ~30 degrees.  That GC path runs across the upper Midwest and Ontario.   Even a
> mediocre K9AY will provide adequate attenuation to signals from the US east 
> coast.
>
> My NW RX antenna is centered at 42 degrees.  Here in Iowa, it hears much
> better to Europe than to Boston or New York. Indeed, it's nearly useless in
> the ARRL 160 contest because of that pattern unless I'm in Province hunting 
> mode.
>
> -Jeff (W0ODS)
>
>

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Re: Topband: Might be a good EU DX night

[W7RH]

All,

Out West conditions to EU were good before Sunset but Spotty. SM5EDX had 
a good signal at Sunset. LY7Z and RA4LW at times were booming. Then


the band petered out with lots of QRN from Summer like thunderstorms in 
Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.


This morning from the desert SW, RV9CX both CW and FT8 followed by OH5VT 
and OG2M. Not too shabby. Only new Call was OG2M.


I was wishing there were more, several were there if in the right NW 
local. Some weak EU signals could be heard an hour ofter sunrise.


Bob, W7RH

--
W7RH DM35OS


It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.

Albert Einstein

_
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Re: Topband: launching lines over trees

[terry burge]

My experience with sling shots has been dismal and dangerous. I've had the lead 
weights come back at me or go off in other directions. And anyone who can put a 
line over a hundred foot tree I'll take my hat off too. About 40 foot was my 
height as I recall. That was with one of these sling shots that have the fold 
over arm rest that are supposedly better than home brew jobs. Also, when the 
tubing breaks you can't find the right size and what you do find you can't get 
over the ends of the metal frame. 

The air launched 2 oz. was better but from a restricted suburban lot can be 
dangerous, especially if the fishing line breaks sending the weight who knows 
where. My CSV19 I talked about awhile back is quite capable of shooting a line 
over a 150- fir tree, I've done it. The big thing is remember to open the bail 
on the fishing spool. Another thing maybe is to get good at judging how much 
pressure to use. Right now I have a 'lost' tennis ball hanging from my third 
set of guy wires on my tower that I think will be there for several years. Snap 
that 30# woven line and you don't know if you will ever find your tennis ball 
again. Days later, 'oh, there's that tennis ball I shot'. Thought I looked 
there before' type of thing. At least I've got a bit more room now in the 
country. 

www.akbeng.com/products/antenna-launchers/csv19-launcher/

Best I've found. Now, if I could just figure out how to get some tree branches 
down that restrict my 4-square 3/16" dacron tie lines. Good luck using one of 
the other methods. I once saw my friend Steve, WB7OTR launch a weighted line 
over a rafter indoors about 45-50' high which was something I'll never in my 
best days be able to do. Did this while setting up a ham station at the Douglas 
County fairgrounds in Roseburg for the Umpqua Valley ham club. Funny, they 
never invited us back? Steve  was in the Coast Guard so maybe he got practice. 
'how'd you do that?'

Terry
KI7M

> On December 27, 2018 at 10:58 AM Mike Furrey  wrote:
> 
> 
> Nice and Expensive! I use a $10 wrist rocket, a $5 spin-casting rod~n~reel 
> from a yard sale, 3/4 oz fishing weight, ask someone to hold my beer, and 
> tell everyone to go hide  ... 
> 
> 
> On Thu, 12/27/18, terry burge  wrote:
> 
>  Subject: Topband: launching lines over trees
>  To: topband@contesting.com, "terry burge" 
>  Date: Thursday, December 27, 2018, 4:20 AM
>  
>  Let me see if I can paste a link here. Using
>  Windows 10 copy and paste never seems to work right for me.
>  Anyway, this place has the most 'serious' line launchers
>  I've ever come across. 
>  
>  http://www.sherrilltree.com/climbing-gear/bigshot-launchers
>  
>  
>  Take a look. (my copy and paste
>  worked!).
>  
>  
>  Terry
>  
>  KI7M
>  
>  _
>  Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
>  
> _
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Topband: N7DF QLF CW in SP

[N7DF via Topband]

With my right wrist in a cast from surgery I will be doing search and pounce 
only  in the Stew Perry this weekend I might be a little slow in responding to 
reports so please bear with meHappy New Year to all73  Larry N7DF 
_
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Re: Topband: launching lines over trees

[Mike Furrey]

Nice and Expensive! I use a $10 wrist rocket, a $5 spin-casting rod~n~reel from 
a yard sale, 3/4 oz fishing weight, ask someone to hold my beer, and tell 
everyone to go hide  ... 


On Thu, 12/27/18, terry burge  wrote:

 Subject: Topband: launching lines over trees
 To: topband@contesting.com, "terry burge" 
 Date: Thursday, December 27, 2018, 4:20 AM
 
 Let me see if I can paste a link here. Using
 Windows 10 copy and paste never seems to work right for me.
 Anyway, this place has the most 'serious' line launchers
 I've ever come across. 
 
 http://www.sherrilltree.com/climbing-gear/bigshot-launchers
 
 
 Take a look. (my copy and paste
 worked!).
 
 
 Terry
 
 KI7M
 
 _
 Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
 
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Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question

[Wes Stewart]

Jeff, et.al.

1)  Yes, I am on 1.7 acres (2 AC - easements).  Some guys would love this much 
land, to farmers it's just enough room for the barn.  Regardless, considering I 
also have a house, a tower and a vertical antenna to share it with, I don't have 
room for Beverages, at least not an effective ones that point in desired 
directions. The latter can be akin to those guys who say, a 3/2 wavelength 
dipole has gain over a dipole, but never consider whether that gain is in a 
useful direction.


2)  Adding to my self-imposed challenges, I run, relatively speaking QRP, 500W, 
with the whole station running on one 120 V 20A service.  Pragmatically, heroic 
efforts to hear another level or two lower signals might be fruitless, although 
clearly, I'm not adverse to challenges, which is why I'm on the band.


3)  I'm in southern Arizona, not Maine or the Florida peninsula, propagation is 
different (read more difficult) here.


4)  I have researched, studied and modeled  many many other receive antennas, 
passive and active.  I doubt that there are any that I haven't looked at, at 
least casually. We have very poor ground here.  IMHO, ground-dependent antennas 
are a no-go.  Ones that require a bunch of radials are especially unattractive. 
I have enough to do to get a decent radial field under the TX antenna. (See my 
QRZ page) Any of these left to consideration have very broad (~100 deg) patterns 
that get their benefits by rejecting signals from the rear.  As stated at the 
outset, that isn't my big issue.  Although your experience seems to differ, I 
don't believe one of these beaming to England (30 deg) is going to do much to 
attenuate signals from NY (50 deg), for example.


Regards,

Wes  N7WS

5)  On 12/26/2018 3:31 PM, Jeff Woods wrote:

Wes,

A sure sign that your RX antennas are good enough is when DX stations that are 
Q5 copy repeatedly CQ in your face.


What Mike's saying is true; trying to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear 
that is a TX vertical is a losing game. Waller Flags, K9AYs, EWEs, etc. are 
all cheap and can easily be constructed to fit a 1.7 acre lot.  A short 
beverage may even feasible in that space, depending on the layout.


When you speak of "QRM from the east," are you talking about being unable to 
overpower it on TX so the DX can hear you (my problem here), or are you 
speaking of RX QRM?  On RX at your QTH, it doesn't appear that the proverbial 
East Coast Wall should affect you much.  The azimuth to Europe from Tucson is 
~30 degrees.  That GC path runs across the upper Midwest and Ontario.   Even a 
mediocre K9AY will provide adequate attenuation to signals from the US east coast.


My NW RX antenna is centered at 42 degrees.  Here in Iowa, it hears much 
better to Europe than to Boston or New York. Indeed, it's nearly useless in 
the ARRL 160 contest because of that pattern unless I'm in Province hunting mode.


-Jeff (W0ODS)




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Re: Topband: Might be a good EU DX night

[Paul Mclaren]

13 NA and VE stations the log last night which is not bad for me.  Mainly
east coast but it's over the pond.

On the subject of RBN reports I usually get single digit db reports from
the main RX stations stateside except for a regular pronounced peak of an
extra 20 or more db just after sunrise before it settles back.   Last night
this peak was lot longer in duration and across a wider number of RX
stations.  The main challenge was there didn't seem to be loads of NA
stations active on 160m and it seemed focused around a few states with
bursts of activity.  Not scientific but better condition than usual.

Regards

Paul MM0ZBH



On Thu, 27 Dec 2018 at 00:19, K9FD  wrote:

> This morning sunrise Hawaii time the band opened into EU and I was able to
> worked a number of stations, all the way down to EA6,  and
> even DL an hour after sunrise,  several were still calling as
> the band finally faded out,
> This morning was a "typical" 160 opening of old,  there were good signals
> an hour before sunrise,  faded out and then peaked much stronger
> at sunrise and just after.
> Was close to 2008 era conditions.
> Antenna I was using was the transmit INV L as the RX antennas are down
> for repairs etc.  K3 receiver. Noise level was S3 with some QRN crashes.
> A41ZZ and Vu2CPL have been on almost daily with very good signals.
> 73 Merv K9FD   Molokai Hawaii
> > The K3LR 160 Skimmer just heard HA0NAR at 2014Z. That is one hour and 45
> > minutes before sunset at K3LR.
> >
> >   Yes, only 3 dB above the noise floor - but still - this very early in
> the
> > day to hear anything from EU.
> >
> >
> >
> > Using a HIZ 8 circle in phase (500 ft separation) with a HIZ 4 square -
> > broadside to Europe. RX is a Perseus SDR.
> >
> >
> >
> > You can see the K3LR Skimmer output here:
> >
> >
> >
> > http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=0
> > 
> &c=k3lr&t=de
> >
> >
> >
> > K3LR 40 meters is off line for maintenance - but will return this evening
> >
> >
> >
> > Happy New Year
> >
> > Tim K3LR
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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> Reflector
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Topband: launching lines over trees

[terry burge]

Let me see if I can paste a link here. Using Windows 10 copy and paste never 
seems to work right for me. Anyway, this place has the most 'serious' line 
launchers I've ever come across. 

http://www.sherrilltree.com/climbing-gear/bigshot-launchers


Take a look. (my copy and paste worked!).


Terry

KI7M

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