Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

[Victor Goncharsky via Topband]

HI Pete,
I use Russian B1B vacuum relays for all RF switching, for high power 160m 
switching B2B vacuum relays are recommended. Hope you can get them there.
Good luck.


>Вторник, 10 декабря 2019, 16:31 UTC от N4ZR :
>
>Now that I've determined that my transmitting antenna must be 
>disconnected, in order for my K9AY loop to work successfully, can anyone 
>tell me what sort of ratings are required for the relay required to do 
>this remotely?  I'm assuming a vacuum relay, but in looking at the MGS4U 
>list of available SPST relays, there is a huge price range.  What sort 
>of numbers should I be looking for, given 1.5 KW and location at the 
>base of a quarter-wave inverted L.
>
>I also note that most of the relays listed have  26.5 volt coils.  Can 
>anyone recommend an inexpensive 24-26 volt supply that I can use?
>
>73, Pete N4ZR
>Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
>at < http://reversebeacon.net >, now
>spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
>For spots, please use your favorite
>"retail" DX cluster.
>
>
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-- 
73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, ex UB5WE), P.E.
UARL Technical and VHF Committies
DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone), 10BDXCC, 8BWAS
DXCC card checker (160 meters).
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Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

[N4ZR]

Thanks everyone who responded - I think I know enough to proceed.

I had wondered about the need to open the shield side of the coax - I 
have 16 turns of RG-400 on a Type 31 core right at the base of the 
inverted L.  If the darned rain/snow ever stops, I think I'll 
temporarily re-connect the shield and compare, but my expectation is 
that a single pole will do the trick.


73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
at , now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 12/10/2019 1:54 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

The need to disconnect the feedline shield is to block common mode signals.
A K9AY approved **EXCELLENT** common mode block (not a regular "balun" with
likely awful blocking on 160m), or (GASP) an isolation transformer will
take care.

In the case quoted, with the coax center contductor opened, the
stinky-on-160-blocking "balun" is how the noise gets in. Further since Pete
saw a 4 S unit drop by simply disconnecting the TX wire, it's likely that
his common-mode provision, even if not intended as such, would appear to be
satisfactory, and therefore a double pole relay (lot more expensive) is not
called for.

73, Guy K2AV


On Sun, Dec 8, 2019 at 7:30 AM Rob Atkinson  wrote:


If you open the tx antenna feedline for rx, from my experience, you
need to completely open the entire feedline, namely the coaxial cable
shield as well as the center conductor.   coaxial relays that maintain
conductivity of the shield when N.O. won't detune/isolate the tx
antenna.  I use a pair of open frame relays for this.  Fortunately on
1800 kc the Z bump is almost nonexistent.   What will govern your
choice of relay is tx power and tx time, and whether or not you
require QSK.  I do not, but if you do, you may have to consider
something like multiple paralleled reed relays tor speed and power, or
vacuum relays.


73
Rob
K5UJ
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Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

The need to disconnect the feedline shield is to block common mode signals.
A K9AY approved **EXCELLENT** common mode block (not a regular "balun" with
likely awful blocking on 160m), or (GASP) an isolation transformer will
take care.

In the case quoted, with the coax center contductor opened, the
stinky-on-160-blocking "balun" is how the noise gets in. Further since Pete
saw a 4 S unit drop by simply disconnecting the TX wire, it's likely that
his common-mode provision, even if not intended as such, would appear to be
satisfactory, and therefore a double pole relay (lot more expensive) is not
called for.

73, Guy K2AV


On Sun, Dec 8, 2019 at 7:30 AM Rob Atkinson  wrote:

> If you open the tx antenna feedline for rx, from my experience, you
> need to completely open the entire feedline, namely the coaxial cable
> shield as well as the center conductor.   coaxial relays that maintain
> conductivity of the shield when N.O. won't detune/isolate the tx
> antenna.  I use a pair of open frame relays for this.  Fortunately on
> 1800 kc the Z bump is almost nonexistent.   What will govern your
> choice of relay is tx power and tx time, and whether or not you
> require QSK.  I do not, but if you do, you may have to consider
> something like multiple paralleled reed relays tor speed and power, or
> vacuum relays.
>
>
> 73
> Rob
> K5UJ
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> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

Pete,

See RF parts.com, search vacuum relay VC2T-13.2.  SPDT will allow you to
change your mind about what state you want with no voltage to winding. And
you will not need to buy a 24 volt power supply.

Rated 12 kV will handle anything ham QRO. These are new, currentLy
manufactured items.

73, and Happy Holidays,

Guy K2AV

On Tue, Dec 10, 2019 at 11:31 AM N4ZR  wrote:

> Now that I've determined that my transmitting antenna must be
> disconnected, in order for my K9AY loop to work successfully, can anyone
> tell me what sort of ratings are required for the relay required to do
> this remotely?  I'm assuming a vacuum relay, but in looking at the MGS4U
> list of available SPST relays, there is a huge price range.  What sort
> of numbers should I be looking for, given 1.5 KW and location at the
> base of a quarter-wave inverted L.
>
> I also note that most of the relays listed have  26.5 volt coils.  Can
> anyone recommend an inexpensive 24-26 volt supply that I can use?
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
> at , now
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
>
>
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> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

[WW3S]

You should probably look for a double pole, I’ve been told you need to open the 
shield as wellI’ve had similar interference on my hi z array. I’ve opted to 
go a different route 

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 10, 2019, at 11:30 AM, N4ZR  wrote:
> 
> Now that I've determined that my transmitting antenna must be disconnected, 
> in order for my K9AY loop to work successfully, can anyone tell me what sort 
> of ratings are required for the relay required to do this remotely?  I'm 
> assuming a vacuum relay, but in looking at the MGS4U list of available SPST 
> relays, there is a huge price range.  What sort of numbers should I be 
> looking for, given 1.5 KW and location at the base of a quarter-wave inverted 
> L.
> 
> I also note that most of the relays listed have  26.5 volt coils.  Can anyone 
> recommend an inexpensive 24-26 volt supply that I can use?
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
> at , now
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
> 
> 
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> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Topband: NOAA/NASA international panel releases their latest Solar Cycle 25 forecast

[donovanf]

The forecast consensus: Cycle 25 will peak in July 2025 (+/- 8 months), 
with a smoothed sunspot number of 115. 
Cycle 25 is forecast to be average in intensity and similar to Cycle 24. 
The panel concurred that solar minimum will occur in April 2020 (+/- 6 months). 
If their solar minimum prediction is correct, this would make Cycle 24 
the 7 th longest on record (11.4 years). 
www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/solar-cycle-25-forecast-update 
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Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

[N4ZR]

Now that I've determined that my transmitting antenna must be 
disconnected, in order for my K9AY loop to work successfully, can anyone 
tell me what sort of ratings are required for the relay required to do 
this remotely?  I'm assuming a vacuum relay, but in looking at the MGS4U 
list of available SPST relays, there is a huge price range.  What sort 
of numbers should I be looking for, given 1.5 KW and location at the 
base of a quarter-wave inverted L.


I also note that most of the relays listed have  26.5 volt coils.  Can 
anyone recommend an inexpensive 24-26 volt supply that I can use?


73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
at , now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.


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Re: Topband: ARRL 160m CW Contest

[fmoeves]

Had a lot of fun in the contest made 139 contacts. I made just a few to EU qrm 
from other stations made it tough. I worked into Caribbean OK. But I'm with Wes 
it was more like a WAS contest. I just picked up 7610 but did not have time to 
get it ready...so maybe better next year. Some things I learned.. I'm pretty 
deaf to the west the K9AY loop was the only antenna in that direction. The 7300 
receiver is not good  in the middle of a pileup. My South Beverage was good but 
I didn't hear much. North Beverage was a little weak. I was also plagued with 
my Amp (Acom 2100) tripping out on high swr. My inverted L is very narrow.I'll 
have to move it down the band.Anyway had a blast. Fred KB4QZH
 Original message From: Wes  Date: 
12/9/19  7:11 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: 
ARRL 160m CW Contest Unless you're in NA and looking for DX.  On this end it 
was like WAS contest for me.  I did manage to work all continents and a few 
ATNO.  Surprisingly I missed some sections in adjacent states, CA, NM and 
NV.Strictly a S&P operation with a modest station; inverted-L with only (so 
far) a dozen radials and 500W.  No separate RX antennas; as I still hear better 
than I get out.  Biggest disappointment was calling and calling and calling the 
CQ machine, JT1CO, with no luck (again).  I work many other AS stations who are 
weaker than he was so maybe he has a noise problem.Wes  N7WSOn 12/8/2019 3:40 
PM, Roger Kennedy wrote:> I had forgotten how good this contest was to work DX 
stations . . .>> Unlike the CQ WW there were hardly any Europeans on, so much 
easier to hear> them without strong QRM !>> Unfortunately I was at work til 
Midnight our time both nights AND had to be> up early in the morning, so 
couldn't stay on very long . . . but did manage> to work about 40 NA stations 
(despite signals being well down on normal)>> 73 Roger G3YRO>> 
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