Re: Topband: CQ 160 Contest Rule Changes
Greetings Topband enthusiasts! Just a follow up reminder. Only 1 shopping week left until the big event. As a reminder, there have been some changes to the rules. We have had a few people step up to sponsor trophies, much appreciated. There are a few left that need sponsorship. If you are interested, please send me a note. Please visit the website at CQ160.com for details. 73, Andy N2NT Director CQ160 Contest On Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 10:16 AM Andy Blank wrote: > Happy holidays everyone. > > Please check out the rules page for the upcoming CQ160 Contest in 2020. > There have been some changes, mostly for the better I hope. > > These include: > > Low Power is now limited to 100W only. > Assistance is allowed in QRP category. > Single Op Low Power now has both Assisted and Unassisted categories.. > > Some language has been changed to make things clearer, and to be uniform > with other CQ Contest rules. > > Please also check out the PLAQUES that have been sponsored. > There are some plaques that are not yet funded, and we are looking for > more sponsors. Any additional categories can be offered as well if you have > an idea. > Send me an email and I will forward to K1DG our plaque manager, who can > arrange it for you. > > > Rules here: > https://cq160.com/rules.htm > > Plaques here: > https://cq160.com/plaques.htm > > 73, Andy N2NT > Director CQ160 Contest > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
A review that was originally published in the Caribbean Contesting Consortium Newsletter by W8WTS in September 2014. Comparison: DEO RG-2000M and DXE RG-5000 Receiver Protectors is worth a read. Lots of good info. http://www.k8nd.com/Radio/CW_Skimmer/W8WTS_Comparison_RG-2000_RG-5000.pdf -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters Sent: Friday, January 17, 2020 3:45 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101 Good answer, Lloyd. One thing I did is put a small incandescent pilot lamp in series with my Beverages and my IC-765 transceiver's RX antenna input. The lamp functions as a current limiter and a fuse. After the lamp, there are back-to-back diodes to ground, which limit the maximum voltage in either polarity. I learned this from W8JI. I used a 6.3 volt #47 lamp, but what Tom used drew less current at its rated voltage than my #47. He could even see it glow faintly from all the RF that his wideband Beverages were picking up. That lamp has never blown, but it gives me peace of mind knowing that it is helping to protect the front end from excessive RF or voltage pulses. 73, Mike W0BTU On Fri, Jan 17, 2020, 9:49 AM Lloyd - N9LB wrote: > That is too much RF power for a receiver input. > "Front End Protectors" are available for this exact problem: > > Array Solutions: > https://www.arraysolutions.com/as-rxfep > > DX Engineering: > https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rg5000hd > > Miroslaw Paczocha wrote: > > I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket > being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on > the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna ... > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
Good answer, Lloyd. One thing I did is put a small incandescent pilot lamp in series with my Beverages and my IC-765 transceiver's RX antenna input. The lamp functions as a current limiter and a fuse. After the lamp, there are back-to-back diodes to ground, which limit the maximum voltage in either polarity. I learned this from W8JI. I used a 6.3 volt #47 lamp, but what Tom used drew less current at its rated voltage than my #47. He could even see it glow faintly from all the RF that his wideband Beverages were picking up. That lamp has never blown, but it gives me peace of mind knowing that it is helping to protect the front end from excessive RF or voltage pulses. 73, Mike W0BTU On Fri, Jan 17, 2020, 9:49 AM Lloyd - N9LB wrote: > That is too much RF power for a receiver input. > "Front End Protectors" are available for this exact problem: > > Array Solutions: > https://www.arraysolutions.com/as-rxfep > > DX Engineering: > https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rg5000hd > > Miroslaw Paczocha wrote: > > I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket > being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on > the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna ... > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
I have a FTDX-3000D and the best general info I could find was not to exceed 30db on the RX port. How did you measure the voltage? I built a small square law detector to measure the voltage on my RX antennas during transmit and took some reading with full power just to be sure. Sam(N3XZ) -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+samjos=epix@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Miroslaw Paczocha Sent: Friday, January 17, 2020 9:47 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101 Hi, I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna and I wonder if it is safe for the Rx part of the radio. With full power it would be several times more! I did not find requested information in the manual nor any of known Yaesu dealers has been able to answer my question. Going T/R in this configuration I can hear relay noise in the rig so may I assume all will be correct however a mistake would be very expensive. Can someone give me a reliable information about the safety of the radio? 73, Mirek SP5ENA PS. I realize perfectly that is not a good sign having so much power induced in the Rx antenna. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
That is too much RF power for a receiver input. "Front End Protectors" are available for this exact problem: Array Solutions: https://www.arraysolutions.com/as-rxfep DX Engineering: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rg5000hd 73 Lloyd - N9LB -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+lloydberg=tds@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Miroslaw Paczocha Sent: Friday, January 17, 2020 8:47 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101 Hi, I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna and I wonder if it is safe for the Rx part of the radio. With full power it would be several times more! I did not find requested information in the manual nor any of known Yaesu dealers has been able to answer my question. Going T/R in this configuration I can hear relay noise in the rig so may I assume all will be correct however a mistake would be very expensive. Can someone give me a reliable information about the safety of the radio? 73, Mirek SP5ENA PS. I realize perfectly that is not a good sign having so much power induced in the Rx antenna. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Connecting Rx antenna to FTDX101
Hi, I intend to connect a K9AY antenna to socket 3 of an FTDX101D, this socket being menu configured as Rx input. The problem is I measured about 1,5 V on the K9AY coax loaded with 50 ohms with 100W forwarded to the Tx antenna and I wonder if it is safe for the Rx part of the radio. With full power it would be several times more! I did not find requested information in the manual nor any of known Yaesu dealers has been able to answer my question. Going T/R in this configuration I can hear relay noise in the rig so may I assume all will be correct however a mistake would be very expensive. Can someone give me a reliable information about the safety of the radio? 73, Mirek SP5ENA PS. I realize perfectly that is not a good sign having so much power induced in the Rx antenna. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Top band good propagation
Good conditions this morning, quiet band, strong signals from Asia into New Mexico. 73, Jim w8zr Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 17, 2020, at 2:59 AM, Mike Devereux via Topband > wrote: > > Roger > I had a great night working Asia HS0 and lots of JA also USA. Conditions here > seemed good. Was using my Dipole! > Mike G 3 SED > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 16 Jan 2020, at 17:01, topband-requ...@contesting.com wrote: >> >> Send Topband mailing list submissions to >> topband@contesting.com >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> topband-requ...@contesting.com >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> topband-ow...@contesting.com >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: Topband resource (W0MU Mike Fatchett) >> 2. Re: Topband resource (Roger Parsons) >> 3. Re: Topband resource vertical vs. horizontal (David Olean) >> 4. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) >> 5. Hamvention related updates (Tim Duffy) >> 6. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) >> 7. Topband resource (Lee STRAHAN) >> 8. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) >> 9. Re: Topband resource (Arthur Delibert) >> 10. Re: Topband resource (Roger Parsons) >> 11. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) >> 12. Re: Topband resource (Roger Parsons) >> 13. Topband resource (Jim Thomson) >> 14. Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night (Roger Kennedy) >> 15. Re: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night (Sam Josuweit) >> >> >> -- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2020 10:53:32 -0700 >> From: W0MU Mike Fatchett >> To: topband@contesting.com >> Subject: Re: Topband: Topband resource >> Message-ID: <7702344f-b0a0-1a2a-f943-3b69a509d...@w0mu.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed >> >> I was only really able to work Carib/CA/SA with my inverted v at 70 ft.? >> With the inverted L I get our far better.? I am a very long way from any >> salt water in any direction. >> >> W0MU >> On 1/15/2020 9:17 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: >>> Roger has 27 topband QSOs in my log since February 1993, >>> well done! >>> >>> >>> Its interesting how our transmitting antenna experiences are exactly >>> opposite on both 160 and 80 meters. I've had little success with >>> 160 meter horizontal dipoles 100 to 200 feet high compared to >>> my 4-square vertical array which always perform superbly. >>> >>> >>> I use only vertically polarized antennas f or topband receiving , >>> a 350 foot diameter W8JI/W5ZN/N4HY passive 8-circle array, >>> 580 foot Beverages and my transmitting 4-square array. All >>> receive 6 to 10 dB better for DX than horizontal dipoles at my QTH. >>> Many easily copied DX signals on the verticals are completely >>> inaudible on the horizontal dipoles. >>> >>> >>> >>> On 80 meters I use only horizontally polarized 2 element quads >>> 170 feet high for transmitting which are far superior to any verticals >>> I've tried although I've never tried anything more sophisticated than >>> a 4-square transmitting array. >>> >>> >>> My 80 meter quads perform very well as receiving antennas, on >>> some -- but not all -- very weak signals they outperform the >>> 175 foot diameter passive 8-circle array and 580 foot Beverages. >>> >>> >>> You can never have too many antennas... >>> Unless they interfere with each other, a non-trivial issue. >>> >>> >>> 73 >>> Frank >>> W3LPL >>> >>> - Original Message - >>> >>> From: "Roger Kennedy" >>> To: topband@contesting.com >>> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:48:51 PM >>> Subject: Topband: Topband resource >>> >>> >>> "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." >>> >>> So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my >>> horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty >>> comparable with other Brits using verticals} >>> >>> You certainly need a Vertical to work DX on 80m . . . but in my experience >>> 160m propagation is very different . . . I'm guessing it's often quite high >>> angle due to multi-hop or ducting. >>> >>> Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA >>> stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find >>> the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always >>> much better after midnight. >>> >>> Roger G3YRO >>> >>> >>> _ >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector >>> >>> _ >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Message: 2 >> Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:55:15 + (UTC) >> From: Roger Parsons >> To: TopBand List >> Cc: "manu...@artekmanuals.com" >> Subject:
Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 205, Issue 21
Roger I had a great night working Asia HS0 and lots of JA also USA. Conditions here seemed good. Was using my Dipole! Mike G 3 SED Sent from my iPhone > On 16 Jan 2020, at 17:01, topband-requ...@contesting.com wrote: > > Send Topband mailing list submissions to >topband@contesting.com > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >topband-requ...@contesting.com > > You can reach the person managing the list at >topband-ow...@contesting.com > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Topband resource (W0MU Mike Fatchett) > 2. Re: Topband resource (Roger Parsons) > 3. Re: Topband resource vertical vs. horizontal (David Olean) > 4. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) > 5. Hamvention related updates (Tim Duffy) > 6. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) > 7. Topband resource (Lee STRAHAN) > 8. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) > 9. Re: Topband resource (Arthur Delibert) > 10. Re: Topband resource (Roger Parsons) > 11. Re: Topband resource (Jim Brown) > 12. Re: Topband resource (Roger Parsons) > 13. Topband resource (Jim Thomson) > 14. Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night (Roger Kennedy) > 15. Re: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night (Sam Josuweit) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2020 10:53:32 -0700 > From: W0MU Mike Fatchett > To: topband@contesting.com > Subject: Re: Topband: Topband resource > Message-ID: <7702344f-b0a0-1a2a-f943-3b69a509d...@w0mu.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > I was only really able to work Carib/CA/SA with my inverted v at 70 ft.? > With the inverted L I get our far better.? I am a very long way from any > salt water in any direction. > > W0MU > >> On 1/15/2020 9:17 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: >> Roger has 27 topband QSOs in my log since February 1993, >> well done! >> >> >> Its interesting how our transmitting antenna experiences are exactly >> opposite on both 160 and 80 meters. I've had little success with >> 160 meter horizontal dipoles 100 to 200 feet high compared to >> my 4-square vertical array which always perform superbly. >> >> >> I use only vertically polarized antennas f or topband receiving , >> a 350 foot diameter W8JI/W5ZN/N4HY passive 8-circle array, >> 580 foot Beverages and my transmitting 4-square array. All >> receive 6 to 10 dB better for DX than horizontal dipoles at my QTH. >> Many easily copied DX signals on the verticals are completely >> inaudible on the horizontal dipoles. >> >> >> >> On 80 meters I use only horizontally polarized 2 element quads >> 170 feet high for transmitting which are far superior to any verticals >> I've tried although I've never tried anything more sophisticated than >> a 4-square transmitting array. >> >> >> My 80 meter quads perform very well as receiving antennas, on >> some -- but not all -- very weak signals they outperform the >> 175 foot diameter passive 8-circle array and 580 foot Beverages. >> >> >> You can never have too many antennas... >> Unless they interfere with each other, a non-trivial issue. >> >> >> 73 >> Frank >> W3LPL >> >> - Original Message - >> >> From: "Roger Kennedy" >> To: topband@contesting.com >> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:48:51 PM >> Subject: Topband: Topband resource >> >> >> "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." >> >> So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my >> horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty >> comparable with other Brits using verticals} >> >> You certainly need a Vertical to work DX on 80m . . . but in my experience >> 160m propagation is very different . . . I'm guessing it's often quite high >> angle due to multi-hop or ducting. >> >> Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA >> stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find >> the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always >> much better after midnight. >> >> Roger G3YRO >> >> >> _ >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector >> >> _ >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector > > > > -- > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:55:15 + (UTC) > From: Roger Parsons > To: TopBand List > Cc: "manu...@artekmanuals.com" > Subject: Re: Topband: Topband resource > Message-ID: <951245210.13893125.1579110915...@mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > NR1DX wrote: "Apples and oranges." regarding my antennas. > > Not really. > > There is very little pattern difference between a pu
