Re: Topband: How were CQWWDX-CW Test cndx on TB at YOUR QTH?

[Bill Stewart via Topband]

From another peanut whistle from the east coast:
Fri night most EU stns were weak and marginal for me even to try...but did any 
way. Sat night
abt the same altho a few had a fair sig...a good bit of QSB both nights. Only 
worked 4 EU stns,
total, and they were stronger than most of the rest heard. No problem working 
Carib stns (15).
The highlight for me was working WH7T & KH7M with ease (1011 & 1041Z 
11/28)...both a real 579.
And my hats off to the op. at ZM4T (1124Z 11/28) that spent several minutes 
getting me into the
log. Boy, what a patient, first class op...tnx OM. 
 And the setup here was a TS-440S...100W and a inverted L (with a four wire 
CP), which is covered 
over with tall pines. Even peanut whistles can have some funwhich I did.
73 de Bill K4JYS
Smithfield, NC 

- Original Message -
From: "Wes" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2021 7:02:18 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: How were CQWWDX-CW Test cndx on TB at YOUR QTH?

From the peanut whistle on the west side of the country just three of the usual 
suspects, JA3YBK, RM0F and HL5IVL on Saturday, somewhat after local sunrise.  I 
totally slept in on Sunday.  Nighttime toward EU, nada.

Wes  N7WS
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Band Condx. Last Night

[Bill Stewart]

Band condx seemed good last night. I was on from abt 0130-0300Z. So a tip of 
the 
ole fedora to the stations listed below. A couple had to do some digging in the 
noise 
to get me in the log. There was also some QSB, so a couple QSOs required my 
making 
several repeats. Their sigs were at least 569. First class ops with first class 
stations 
thanks gentleman. 
73 de Bill K4JYS TS-440S 100W/Inv. L w/four wire CP 

SK3W MD0CCE UR0MC S53CC DL8LAS LY4A 

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: I identified signal on 1.825 MHz this morning

[Bill Stewart]

Hearing it in NC on an Inverted L...peaking S4-5 with noise floor at abt an S1.
Now sending a pulsing xmsn...1235Z(7:35 EST).
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Don Kirk" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2020 7:06:40 AM
Subject: Topband: I identified signal on 1.825 MHz this morning

I’m hearing a very strong pulsating signal that sounds like it might be
some kind of digital communications and it’s bearing is approximately 73
degrees from my QTH near Indianapolis and wonder if others are hearing it
at at what heading and does anyone recognize what it is? It’s on right now
at 7:06 AM

Don wd8dsb
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Solar Flux Question

[Bill Stewart]

Tnx all for the info on the SFI. All good explanations and I am 
in the process of reading your replies. 
73 de Bill K4JYS 
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Solar Flux Question

[Bill Stewart]

Tnx Dave for the info. I have also noted nights with some strong EU
stations and the next night nothing heard...SFI staying the same. To
clarify, I run 100w and an inv. L and no special receive antennas.
So far this season I have made it into VK about 8 times and worked a
few EU stns as well. Most of this was done with the lower SFI values.
I have also noticed, on the DX Maps site, that ten mtrs has been open
some. Appears the higher SFI might help the higher bands, but little
or nothing on 160m. Interesting.
tnx Dave..73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Artek Manuals" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Friday, November 6, 2020 3:55:23 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Solar Flux Question

Bill

Last night ON 160 I worked 32 European and SA stations with the reported 
SFI of 88.  earlier in the week with a similar SFI number I heard 
nothing from EU on 160. Conclusion : At these levels SFI is not the factor

Conditions on 15 and 12 have been for the last week or so been great . 
Lots of long path on 40 through 15 depending on the time of day & band. 
certainly far better than a year ago at SFI of 68-72 on the upper bands, 
on 160 and 80 hasn't been much of factor so far

DAVE
nr1dx


On 11/6/2020 3:23 PM, Bill Stewart wrote:
> Per WWV, the solar flux is at 91. What, if any, affect does this have on 
> propagation in HF or other
> frequency bandsand of course 160 meters. I have seen these geophysical 
> numbers often, but
> never really understood what they meant. The flux has been running in the 
> high 60s/low 70s until
> a few weeks ago when I saw it in the 80s.
> Tnx de Bill K4JYS
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

-- 
Dave manu...@artekmanuals.com www.ArtekManuals.com

-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Solar Flux Question

[Bill Stewart]

Per WWV, the solar flux is at 91. What, if any, affect does this have on 
propagation in HF or other 
frequency bandsand of course 160 meters. I have seen these geophysical 
numbers often, but 
never really understood what they meant. The flux has been running in the high 
60s/low 70s until 
a few weeks ago when I saw it in the 80s. 
Tnx de Bill K4JYS 
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Little Pistol Report-Oct 9/10

[Bill Stewart]

Hi Joe,
I've heard you working the DXgood show with the 100w too. I think our
inverted L's are about the same height. With the four CP wires, I didn't
expect this one to perform so well...thought a radial system would be better, 
and it may be, but I am happy with its performance. I have been working 
TB since the late 1970s...not really focusing on DX, but try to work some
if I think I have a chance of being heard. I have tried several other antennas,
but this inv. L is the best of the lot and was easy to put up. Condx last 
season were really good for me. I worked a lot of EU and numerous stns out
in the Pacific. Seems this season is getting off to a good start too.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Joe Galicic" 
To: "cwopr" , "topband" 
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2020 9:50:46 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Little Pistol Report-Oct 9/10

Hi Bill,
 
Sounds like you and I are both having lots of fun on 160 meters with very 
modest setups !  I have also worked many VK's and a ZL with 100 watts the past 
two weeks as well as hearing many JA's.  I have been working some EU in the 
evenings.

I'm just getting my 160 meter antenna up here in SC which for now is a 
converted (bypassing the 49:1 matching transformer) 80-10 end fed half wave 
with 21 longish radials on the ground.  Apex is around 50.  All hidden in my 
tall pines.  

Amazing conditions on 160 for sure ! 

73, 

Joe
N3HEE/4


> On 10/10/2020 8:57 AM Bill Stewart  wrote:
> 
>  
> GM All, 
> I usually sit on the side line and read the postings, but wanted to throw in 
> my 2 cents worth on 
> this mornings condx. I thought the band would be noisy due to the remnants of 
> the storm west 
> of NC, but the band was quiet. I also was able to work a few VK's...four to 
> be exact. The strongest, 
> by far, was VK4KW. He peaked around 7:10AM here in NC and was a real 589. I 
> was able to work 
> two other VK's last week. Last night I worked the first EU stn of the season, 
> OK1CF. He was quite 
> strong, but no other EU stns were head. The setup here is quite simple...a 
> TS-440S, 100w and a 
> avg. inverted L, with a four wire CP, all of which are covered over with tall 
> pines. Sure hope condx 
> are good for another top band season. Little pistols can have fun toohi. 
> 73 de Bill K4JYS 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Little Pistol Report-Oct 9/10

[Bill Stewart]

GM All, 
I usually sit on the side line and read the postings, but wanted to throw in my 
2 cents worth on 
this mornings condx. I thought the band would be noisy due to the remnants of 
the storm west 
of NC, but the band was quiet. I also was able to work a few VK's...four to be 
exact. The strongest, 
by far, was VK4KW. He peaked around 7:10AM here in NC and was a real 589. I was 
able to work 
two other VK's last week. Last night I worked the first EU stn of the season, 
OK1CF. He was quite 
strong, but no other EU stns were head. The setup here is quite simple...a 
TS-440S, 100w and a 
avg. inverted L, with a four wire CP, all of which are covered over with tall 
pines. Sure hope condx 
are good for another top band season. Little pistols can have fun toohi. 
73 de Bill K4JYS 
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Inverted L with elevated radials for topband

[Bill Stewart]

Hi Gabriel,
These comments will be of little help as far as the technical info on the 
subject antenna
and is a far cry from an excellently constructed antenna but it is very 
practicalin my
opinion of course.

However, I do use an Inv. L with a four wire counterpoise...or elevated radials 
if you
prefer. Mine is approximately 50ft vertical and rest horiztotal, a quarter 
wave. The
horizontal part is about 50 feet high and fairly flat. The antenna is 
completely covered 
over with tall pine trees. The CP wires go off from the base/feed point 10ft 
off the ground
and at approximately 90 degrees apart. Each CP wire is about ten feet high and 
some are 
supported on tree trunks, others have some PVC posts for support and seems the 
CP wire
lengths are a bit shorter than a 1/4 wave lgth, but my memory may not be too 
good on this
part. I feed it with RG8X...I only run 100 watts(CW) on 160no need for big 
coax in my 
case. I just used a door-knob cap between the vert and CP at the basecan't 
remember the
value but think I just experimented until I got the SWR goodalso think I 
did some trimming
on the CP wires. I have had very good success with this antenna. With 100 watts 
I have been able
to work several DXped. stns in the Pacific, JA. This season I have worked 
nearly 80 EU, Carib
and Pac. stations. I had a lot of fun in the recent ARRL CW test. No, I don't 
get every station
I call, but enough to keep me happy. The purist, with all their instruments and 
computer
programs would laugh at my version, but it seems to be an easy antenna to get 
working and,
at least in my case, a decent antenna. (I also use it for receiving...works 
well there too).
Try iteasy to put up and if it don't work, go on to something elsehi.
GL & 73 de Bill K4JYS/NC

- Original Message -
From: "topband" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Thursday, March 5, 2020 1:02:07 PM
Subject: Topband: Inverted L with elevated radials for topband

I have some doubts about installing and inverted L with elevated radials for
160m.  I have been searching in Google and find some contradictory
information, so I would appreciate very much if you can help me with your
own experience.

 

The antenna would be supported by a 16 m (52.5 ft) high fiberglass pole
placed on top of a 3m (10 ft) high small tower with the horizontal part of
the L slopping down to a 5 m (16 ft) high mast about 23 m (75 ft) away.  Two
to four tuned elevated radials can be placed, although they will have to be
bent due to space restrictions.

 

Now the doubts:

 

What impedance can I expect at the feed point with this configuration?

 

How to match it in order to feed it with a 50 ohm cable?  Some pages say
that no match is required, only a choke. Other pages say a hairpin is
necessary as the impedance can be too low. So other say that a tuner at the
base is required?I am confused L

 

What performance for DX can be achieved by this antenna?  Is it really good
or do you have some better suggestion for a really small lot where no ground
radials are possible?

 

Would it be worth to use a higher fiberglass pole, let's say 4 m (13 ft)
higher, in order to lengthen the vertical section of the L?  Would the
difference be noticeable?

 

Anyone has real experience setting up this antenna with elevated radials?
Most information I can find on Internet is related to ground mounted
antennas.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ

 

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: ARRL CW Test - 160m

[Bill Stewart]

Even us little pistols can have loads of fun. I managed to work 41 DX stns with 
35 countries. Seventeen stns were in EU & 17 in the Carib. Rest in Cent. Am. 
and KH6. I was hearing strong EU stns just before our sunset, but my first EU 
QSO 
was around 0100Z on Fri and 0Z on Sat night. The strongest EU sigs were in the 
S-7/S-8 range and Carib stns mostly a true 59+. KH7M & KH6/N6DA both bumping 
S9 plus at times. My last log entry was LY7Z at 2351Z Sun night. Not being in 
the 
contest, I just hunted and pounced on the strongest sigs. Got some, missed 
some. 
I was using a TS-440S, 100W, a run-of-the-mill Inv. L. I heard no bad ops...all 
were 
courteous and no big pileups. As noted, there were a few speed demons, but some 
careful listening got them figured out. One op, may have been S50C, worked with 
me over a minute to get me in his log. All gave me a good chance to get thru. 
Fun! 

73 de Bill K4JYS/NC 



_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: ARRL 160m

[Bill Stewart]

I worked you with my 100 watter Andy...many thanks.
73 and GL in the contest.Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "topband" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2020 12:29:08 PM
Subject: Topband: ARRL 160m

Hey...
worked last night 240 NAs
in ARRL DX contest on topband.
Condx were good and band without noise.
Hope to work tonight
other 240 NAs :).
My call in ARRL DX contest is DR5X.

73 Andy  DL8LAS 

www.dl8las.com
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: ARRL CW Contest

[Bill Stewart]

Didn't hear many stateside CQers here in NC either. But quite a few DX stns 
calling.
Pileups were not too bad and I managed, just tuning around and not in the 
contest,
to work into EU, Carib, Cent. Am. and KH6. Only running 100w and a 
run-of-the-mill
Inv. L. Good condx and pretty good ears at the other end. Hope same for tonight.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Richard Thorne" 
To: "Roger Kennedy" , "topband" 

Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2020 11:12:53 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL CW Contest

Roger,

Rates were probably better on 40m.  Guys may move to 160 for a couple 
mults then back to the band that generates rates.

Rich - N5ZC

On 2/15/2020 9:52 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote:
> 
> Very curious . . .
> 
> I came on 160m last night to see what NA stations I could work in the
> contest . . . spent half an hour tuning around and only heard 12 stations
> calling CQ, all of which I worked.
> 
> I then figured it might be worth calling CQ, as hopefully Europeans wouldn't
> call me, as they only get points for working NA stations (unlike the CQ WW)
> 
> And in just over half an hour I was called by 50 stations !  (I stopped when
> signals started dropping out after our sunrise)
> 
> I was just surprised that there weren't more big NA signals on 160 calling
> CQ, like there is in the CQ WW - is there a reason for this?
> 
> Roger G3YRO
> 
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
> 
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Inquiring minds want to know....

[Bill Stewart]

David, just in case  you may want to start into an additional radio hobby, there
are a lot of us who chase the NDB stations. I have been amazed at the distance 
covered by many of these beaconsa goodly number of which run only 25 watts
and a few even less. So far I have logged 439 unique beacons using a PA0RDT
mini-whip antennaan amazing device. I have attached a link for info on the
group and also one that can be used for looking up North American/South American
beaconswhich gives a lot of info on them such as off-sets, locations, 
power, etc.
73 de Bill K4JYS  

http://www.ndblist.info/
https://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/rna/

- Original Message -
From: "David Olean" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2020 2:50:53 PM
Subject: Topband: Inquiring minds want to know

Hello Topband propagation experts,

I have been messing around with listening to low frequency navigation 
beacons and wondering how reception on 200 kHz relates to 160 meters.  
Not sure there is a correlation.  I have been listening on my 1942 
Bendix aircraft radio, an MN-26C, which covers 150 to 1500 KHz. Well it 
is amazing how many NDBs I can identify. I found about 85 beacons in two 
nights of haphazard listening.  I also located a bunch of them that I 
could hear during the daytime. The daytime stations are close by for the 
most part, although there is a 25 watt beacon in Yarmouth, NS that comes 
in great over a distance  of several hundred miles.

So I was tuning around at 1 PM local time and picked up a fairly weak 
station that signed "OJ" on 239 kHz. I looked it up and it is located in 
northern Alberta and runs 500 watts. I was amazed that I could hear it 
over a 2000 mile path at almost mid day.  I noted that it peaked up best 
on my 330 degree beverage wire. It was also audible on my 290 degree 
beverage wire, but noticeably weaker.  I checked again at 4 PM to see if 
"OJ" was getting any louder. I could not detect it. (?)  I checked again 
as the night progressed and never heard it again.   I began to doubt 
what I had heard. There is another beacon signing "OW" about 3 kHz below 
239 kHz, and located in Ottawa, ON. I had already located it and logged 
it. I wondered if I had miscopied them and got confused, but I cannot 
get OW to peak up at 330 degrees. I do hear OW during the day, but it is 
3 kHz below, and peaks west or NW, but is not audible at 330 degrees 
where OJ was peaking.  I also am pretty sure I was copying OJ as I 
listened to it for about ten minutes and there was no QRM from other 
stations.  If you have ever listened to these beacons, you will note 
that mistakes are very possible as several beacons can be on the same 
frequency at night and tend to make copy problematic as the MCW signals 
combine to produce strange Morse characters. At 1 PM, that was not 
happening. OJ was in the clear and easy copy. Weak, but easy copy.

All this reminds me of the discussions about Marconi's first 
transatlantic transmissions and how many people think it was a fluke or 
maybe "smoke and mirrors".   What the heck happened that I could hear a 
long wave signal over 2000 miles away at mid day?

73

Dave K1WHS

ps. If anyone is interested in my Beacon list, I have a WORD document 
with all these NDBs listed that are audible here in Maine. Typical DX at 
night are 25 watt stations in Iowa and Georgia. I also hear a big NDB 
station in the Caymans.  With so many beacons sharing frequencies, it is 
hard to copy stations beyond about 1000 miles due to QRM.  Sometimes QSB 
can be your friend and you can copy other stations when a closer one 
fades out.



_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Furnace RFI

[Bill Stewart]

Mark, we have a York gas pack (a/c and propane heat)(abt 4 yrs old).
When in the a/c mode and the outside exhaust fan comes on, I hear a spurious 
signal
every 25kc or so from lf thru six meters. There may be a way to fix it...
some kind of filtering maybe, but I don't want to mess with it. GL on
finding something quiet73 de Bill K4JYS
PS...one helpful thing is to keep the t-stat up high so it won't run as much.
Saves on the electric bill too.hi.

- Original Message -
From: "lmlangenfeld" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Thursday, October 3, 2019 5:22:31 PM
Subject: Topband: Furnace RFI

We are in the market for a new high-efficiency furnace, and I note that many 
(if not most) of the current models use variable-speed DC blower motors.  I am 
concerned about the potential for RFI from the speed controllers, and wonder if 
any list members have any recommendations or recent experience (good or bad) 
with such units.Tnx es 73,Mark -- WA9ETWSent from my U.S. Cellular® Smartphone
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: 160 Meter Beacon

[Bill Stewart]

I am hearing YR2TOP around 1810kc with a pretty good signalRST 449/559 
sending V and LOC KN04RU.I am receiving on an old Hallicrafters SX-71 and 
an Inv. L. Possibly a good night for you DXers into EU 
.GL - 73 de Bill K4JYS - Eastern NC 
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: FCC authorizes 1KW wireless power transmission

[Bill Stewart]

I think I read that they also provided a phone number to
someone with a 'kill switch' in case QRM does occur.
Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Brian Pease" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 4:14:45 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: FCC authorizes 1KW wireless power transmission

I read their experiment.  They will transmit only a CW (unmodulated) 
signal for the minimum time needed to complete a field strength 
reading.  The only frequency where they will run 1000W "radiated" is 
1710kHz.  On other freqs they plan to run 100W "radiated" & try to avoid 
interfering with us.

On 2/13/2018 3:36 PM, Roger Kennedy wrote:
> I don't care that this will never be a practical way of transferring power .
> . .
>
> But aren't any of you guys worried about the fact that their licence allows
> them to transmit ANWHERE within Top Band?
>
> This could be some horrible wideband signal that generates a lot of QRM !
>
> Roger G3YRO
>
>
> _
> 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: WKYW on 1810kc

[Bill Stewart]

Ya reckon they are one of those automated stations and all real people have 
gone home for the day. 
Also sent an email, but doubt if anyone will read it any time soon. 
Bill K4JYS 



From: jayb1...@optonline.net 
To: daraym...@iowatelecom.net, "cwopr" , "topband" 
 
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 7:16:14 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc 

I have tried every telephone number I cud find in an attempt to reach someone 
at the station; the phone goes un-answered no matter how long I hold on. I did 
send them an email thru their website but I’m guessing it will a long time 
before someone reads it. I guess the next step is to try and contact the 
regional FCC office. 
jay ny2ny 

_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc

[Bill Stewart]

1490 khz in Frankfort KY 



From: "Mike Waters"  
To: "cwopr"  
Cc: "topband"  
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 6:11:34 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc 

S9+10 here in SW MO, on my NE Beverage. Signal pulsing on and off, mostly. 

What frequency are they supposed to be on? I want to see what they sound like 
on their assigned carrier freq. 

As I send this, it's not pulsing. 

73, Mike 
[ http://www.w0btu.com/ | www.w0btu.com ] 

On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 4:59 PM, Bill Stewart < [ mailto:cw...@embarqmail.com | 
cw...@embarqmail.com ] > wrote: 


Is anyone copying a AMBC stn around 1810kc. They are 30db over S9 here. The sig 
was cutting 
in and out but for last few mins. has been on full time. Did hear them mention 
'1490' and Frankfort 
KY. Web info comes back to WKYW. Heard them yesterday as well. 
Tnx de Bill K4JYS 
Near Smithfield, NC 






_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc

[Bill Stewart]

I just sent them an email. Maybe others can also.
Boy, whatever problem they have results in a good 160m signal.
Tnx all for replies.
Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Lloyd - N9LB" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 6:06:06 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc

Yes, hearing them at my QTH on my SE Beverage, carrier running 15 to 25 dB
above my noise floor.

Lloyd - N9LB  near Madison, WI grid EN52HV

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 5:00 PM
To: topband 
Subject: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc

Is anyone copying a AMBC stn around 1810kc. They are 30db over S9 here. The
sig was cutting in and out but for last few mins. has been on full time. Did
hear them mention '1490' and Frankfort KY. Web info comes back to WKYW.
Heard them yesterday as well. 
Tnx de Bill K4JYS
Near Smithfield, NC
_
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: WKYW on 1810kc

[Bill Stewart]

Just heard them ID as WKYW.

- Original Message -
From: "cwopr" 
To: "topband" 
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 5:59:36 PM
Subject: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc

Is anyone copying a AMBC stn around 1810kc. They are 30db over S9 here. The sig 
was cutting 
in and out but for last few mins. has been on full time. Did hear them mention 
'1490' and Frankfort 
KY. Web info comes back to WKYW. Heard them yesterday as well. 
Tnx de Bill K4JYS 
Near Smithfield, NC 
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: WKYW on 1810kc

[Bill Stewart]

Is anyone copying a AMBC stn around 1810kc. They are 30db over S9 here. The sig 
was cutting 
in and out but for last few mins. has been on full time. Did hear them mention 
'1490' and Frankfort 
KY. Web info comes back to WKYW. Heard them yesterday as well. 
Tnx de Bill K4JYS 
Near Smithfield, NC 
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)

[Bill Stewart]

Bill, don't give up. There is still plenty of magic in ham radio.
I get my jollies using vintage and homebrew gear. Can still smell
the dust on the hot tubes. There is a good bit of activity on the
bands by us BA and HB ops. Also there are those of us who enjoy
building rigs from the 1920's and 30's. Parts are still around and
most circuits can be as simple as ya want. We would be happy to have
you, and others, join the Antique Wireless Assoc. and/or participate
in our on-air events using the old tubes and circuits. For me at
least, I get a lot of satisfaction using my HB 1924 Meissner osc on
160m at about 5 watts input.

I used a window screen with my DX-40 on ten meters back in the early
60's ...just to see if it workedit did load up, can't remember if
I made a contact73 de Bill K4JYS


- Original Message -
From: "Bill Cromwell" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:22:16 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)

Heh,

I have found myself thinking more and more in recent years of just 
dropping ham radio. Those psychologists may have oversimplified things a 
little but there is plenty of meat on those bones. The radio hook was 
set for me when my father and I were cruising the bands on one of those 
big old radios that stood on the floor (1950s). A Zenith model radio 
that was also parlor furniture. We had a pair of window screens 
connected as the antenna and we intercepted radio traffic from a 
mountain climbing expedition on the Matterhorn!! We are/were in central 
michigan. Three days later that was on the "news" and I recall the 
feeling of "that's old news". The smell of the hot dust on those old 
vacuum tubes. The feel of the controls in my hand. Hearing those voices 
so vary far away. The glow of the dial lights (the tubes were hidden 
inside the 'furniture').

All of those senses get involved with um... real radio. If we take away 
one or more of them the hobby is diminished. I have fldigi here for 
*looking* at the digi modes. So far fldigi does not produce any sound 
for my ears. I have rarely used it because of that. More recently I have 
simultaneously run a DSP program just so I can hear what is happening.

One of my other hobbies (involves all of the senses) is making music. I 
have acoustic (no electronics) instruments and perform with other 
musicians who use acoustic instruments. It always sounds better than the 
electronic junk music and the interaction with other musicians is the 
same a the human interaction between hams (as opposed to interaction 
between computers). Certainly that 'other' music is valid as music. 
Those other modes on the bands are valid as ham radio. But some of us 
have other preferences and we will always have them. I have noticed that 
some of the 'new' hams are taking up our modes so there will be others 
to work on the air - hopefully.

Recently some of us were playing to an audience at a community center 
when the lights went out for a couple of minutes and a couple of times. 
We never missed a beat :) Sometimes the personal skills developed in ham 
radio can generate similar stories. So lets all maintain our ham 
licenses and continue using our favorites modes.

Now..how do I get that FT8 running?

73,

Bill  KU8H

On 10/25/2017 06:37 AM, Arthur Delibert wrote:
> I’m sure there will be people who say FT8 is just “progress.”  But some 
> psychologists divide people according to whether their preferred mode of 
> experience is auditory, visual or kinesthetic (touch).  I think most of us 
> who are addicted to radio are primarily auditory – on one level, that’s why 
> we’re in this hobby.  So, no surprise that we find radio without the auditory 
> component to be unfulfilling.
>
> Art Delibert, KB3FJO
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Steve Ireland
> Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 4:26 AM
> To: Topband reflector
> Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
>
> G’day
>
> As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white 
> jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so 
> intrigued and disturbed by anything on the band as the emergence of the 
> Franke-Taylor FT-8 digital mode.
>
> For me, radio has always been all about what I audibly hear. I love all the 
> sounds that radio signals make - and even miss the comforting sound of Loran 
> that I grew up with around 1930kHz as a teenager in south-east England. Yeah, 
> I am one sick puppy.
>
> With the emergence of high resolution bandscopes through SDR technology over 
> the last decade, I embraced that as it meant that I could find what DX 
> stations I wanted to hear and contact quicker and more easily (and, in 
> particular, before those stations who didn’t have the same technology).
>
> It was really exciting and enhanced the sensual experience o

Re: Topband: Missing K1N 160m QSO records just uploaded to Clublog

[Bill Stewart]

Just cked few mins ago and my 2/4 0115z 160m QSO is now showing.
Only recent QSOs are not yet up...jolly good...73 de Bill K4JYS
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Mini Night of Nights! - MRHS Newsletter No. 49

[Bill Stewart]

Tnx to Steve, VE7SL, for his info. 
Here is more info on the Maritime Radio Historical Society part in the event. 
Looks like lots of good activity going on around 500kc & below this weekend. 

"> Mini Night of Nights 1 November - MF Madness! 


In Newsletter No. 47 we announced our Mini Night of Nights event to take place 
on the evening of 1 November (Pacific time). We're happy to report that those 
plans are still on and that members of the Transmitter and Operations 
Departments have stepped up to assure that KSM (and K6KPH) will be standing 
tall. Plus Bill Ruck has offered to feed the staff with his famous radioman's 
hash (not made from real radiomen we hope) and Chief Operator Dillman will be 
supplying an example of his "my o my" key lime pie. We may have to use large 
pointed sticks to prod the operations staff out of the kitchen and back to 
their operating positions. Ruck, being "Morse challenged" as he puts it, will 
not receive such treatment. 


What's the idea behind this event? Well, we know it's tough for many folks to 
copy the MF signals of KSM during our normal daytime (Pacific time) operations. 
We've often thought about a Mini Night of Nights during the winter that would 
continue into the evening hours and emphasize MF operations. 


The propagation of our HF signals will be different too, so listeners beyond MF 
range may be able to copy us at locations where we are not heard during the 
day. 

How late will we stay on? That's hard to say since it will largely depend on 
the sleep inducing qualities of the excellent meal provided by Ruck. But on the 
regular Night of Nights events we usually run out of steam at about 9:30 or 
10:00pm Pacific time so it'll probably be similar for M NoN." 

Here is more info from the MRHS: 

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=f43260f5-a7f9-4084-9304-9637ee630b59&c=87e94620-790b-11e3-93dd-d4ae5292c4bc&ch=88dd6a20-790b-11e3-9409-d4ae5292c4bc
 

73 de Bill K4JYS 
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Field Day 630M Beacons / On-air Demo

[Bill Stewart]

Hi Jeff and any one else interested,

You may already know abt the Night of Nights. If not, here
is some info on a truly fun event...and there should be some
500kc activity too. Coastal station KSM is also active each 
Sat for several hours, on the old Maritime freqs. Check the
MRHS web site for lots of good info on how it was done back when
CW was King of the Maritime airwaves. Below is a link to the
N of N info:

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=21c83753-4552-46ae-b771-a24edc095a5b&c=87e94620-790b-11e3-93dd-d4ae5292c4bc&ch=88dd6a20-790b-11e3-9409-d4ae5292c4bc
 

FLASH! 

USCG WILL PARTICIPATE IN NIGHT OF NIGHTS! 
NEW USCG STATION ON THE AIR! 
KPH, KFS, KSM, WLO AND KLB WILL BE ON THE AIR! 

Event Date: 12 July 2014 Pacific Daylight Time 
First Transmission form MRHS Stations: 5:01pm Pacific Daylight Time 12 July, 
0001Z 13 July 2014 

> Historic coast stations KPH, KFS, KSM, WLO AND KLB will return to the air 

> RCA "H Set" Transmitter 298 will be on the air 

> 1942 Press Wireless PW15 transmitter will be on the air 

> USCG Coast Stations NMC, NMQ and NMW will be on the air 

> K6KPH will be listening for calls and signal reports 

> Join us in person or on the air! 
  
It is a real treat to hear these Coastal/USCG stations sending out the 
beautiful sounds of CW on the Maritime frequencies once again. Tune in for some 
great signals and CW from the good ole days of Maritime CW. 
  
73 de Bill K4JYS 
PS: Tnx Jeff for the link to your 500kc info.


- Original Message -
From: "Radio KH6O" 
To: "Eric NO3M" 
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 9:47:47 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Field Day 630M Beacons / On-air Demo

Gosh, all the years that I worked ships from around the Pacific
nightly on 500 kc (with  ship working frequencies of 425, 454, 468,
480, and 512 kc), I never thought the 600M band would have hams using
it. It's wonderful that the band will be alive again with CW.

I was stationed at US Coast Guard Radio Station NMO in Wahiawa on the
island of Oahu in Hawaii in the 1970s. All maritime traffic was passed
by CW back then.

The propagation on that band was such that the entire Pacific would
open after sundown: from New Zealand to Alaska and from China to the
West Coast.

All ships and shore stations monitored the international calling and
distress frequency of 500 kc which sounded like a circus at times.

Look for my seven part series on 500 kc on many web sites (here's one:
http://jproc.ca/radiostor/cw500pt1.html). The series ended up being
published in books, magazines, radio journals, ham club newsletters,
etc.

73, Jeff KH6O
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh, NC

[Bill Stewart]

Hey Charlie,
We have about 3-4 in. of snow on the gnd, and just started to
sleet, and maybe some rain, abt an hr ago. We are in the country
and on a well, so have drawn up some water, flash lights, oil
lamps & gas logs at the ready. I have a geny too, but its pretty
hard to pull in cold wx...makes me think more abt a whole-house Genrac. Guess 
we will also get abt 1/4-1/2 inch of ice. Hang tuff Charlie and any others 
facing this mess.
73 de Bill K4JYS
Half-way 'tween Smithfield and Newton Grove NC

- Original Message -
From: "Charlie Cunningham" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:37:13 PM
Subject: Topband: Yikes! Heavy snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh,  
  NC

Yikes, HEAVY snow, freezing fog and 23 degrees F in Raleigh!  It's really
coming down and accumulating FAST here! Next we're supposed to get   hit
with sleet, freezing rain and ice - up to 1/2 inch!  Hope my power stays on!
I'm too crippled up and there's too much snow already to try to get out to
the garage and fire  up the generator and ru n a cable into the house! I
guess my gas logs can keep me from freezing!

Wish; me Luck!

73,
Charlie, K4OTV

P.S. How are things down Atlanta and GA way?


_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Radial Question

[Bill Stewart]

Charlie, I was surprised at how well my Inv L/c-poise works. It
is far from an ideal situation...amongst many tall pines, but
results have been very much worth the effort. I got some good info
off this list and got it tuned up to where the TS-440S did not
need a tuner to get a low SWR...and it receives ok too. I read about
how much work/$$ guys put into the radial systems and it seems that
after a point, the work just ain't worth the fraction of a db ya 
get. But if it makes one feel better, then keep on digging...hi. 

73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Charlie Cunningham" 
To: "Bill Stewart" , "Robert L Chortek" 

Cc: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 5:52:50 PM
Subject: RE: Topband: Radial Question

Hi, Bill

Well, I have modeled a 160 inverted L with 4 elevated resonant radials, with
EXNEC, and that's about as good as it gets! Guys with grounded towers have
to dig and bury radials or run 'em on the ground but the broadcasters'
experience with elevated radials indicates the 4 is about as good as it gets
- adding more doesn't add much.  Having the resonant radials fanned over
less than 360 degrees can produce sone asymmetry in the azimuth pattern, but
mine with two at 90 degrees worked quite well in all directions! Generally,
if I could hear 'em I could work 'em. The KAZ receiving loops helped a LOT
on receive!

73,
Charlie, K4OTV

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Stewart
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 5:25 PM
To: Robert L Chortek
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Question

Hi Bob,
I can't add much in the way of technical reasons for adding
the radials vs a c-poise. However, I can say that my Inv. L, with
a four wire quarter wave c-poise has worked quite well...and 
with much less work than all the radials you are considering.
I use only 100 watts and have worked into the Carib. and the
recent K9W operation. I also have been using a HB QRP xmtr from
1924 and have worked from C6 up into VE2/VE3.  

I would wonder about the possibility of 'under-the-house' radials
putting rf into your house wiring, and if using your xmit antenna
for rcving, picking up trash from your in-house gadgets...tv, computer
etc, esp if you are running power. You may be able to get someone
to model the two systems and the results might help you make up
your mind. 

Good luck with what ever method you end up with...73 de Bill K4JYS (NC)

- Original Message -
From: "Robert L Chortek" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 2:51:50 PM
Subject: Topband: Radial Question

Hello Fellow Topbanders -

We are about to embark on a front yard landscaping project at our home on a
tiny 12, 500 sq. ft. lot.

It occurred to me this would be an excellent opportunity to put down a large
number of buried ground radials BUT, they  would only cover about 90 degrees
of the compass. Then it also occurred to me I could put down a large number
of radials in our crawl space under the house.

So, my question is, what is the likely negative impact, if any, from the
house being between the 160 meter vertical and the radials placed under the
house?  I assume the house material, most of which is wood, tile, sheetrock,
etc. (with the usual house wiring) would be invisible to RF and have minimal
impact.

If I could put down say 60 radials ranging in length from 40  to 120 feet
long, would it outperform my current system with 8 resonant elevated radials
10 -15 feet high (which cover only about 120 degrees of the compass)?   I'm
incline to proceed IF it would provide a meaningful improvement in my
transmitted signal strength.

Thanks for any help!

73,

Bob/AA6VB

_
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: Radial Question

[Bill Stewart]

Hey Charlie,
I'm just down the road, 'tween Smfd and Newton Grove.
Waiting for the same blast of cold air...br.
73, Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Charlie Cunningham" 
To: "Bill Stewart" , "Robert L Chortek" 

Cc: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 6:02:12 PM
Subject: RE: Topband: Radial Question

BTW, Biil, where U in NC? I'm in Raleigh waitin'  for it to go down to 9
degrees tonight!

73,
Charlie, K4OTV


-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Stewart
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 5:25 PM
To: Robert L Chortek
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Question

Hi Bob,
I can't add much in the way of technical reasons for adding
the radials vs a c-poise. However, I can say that my Inv. L, with
a four wire quarter wave c-poise has worked quite well...and 
with much less work than all the radials you are considering.
I use only 100 watts and have worked into the Carib. and the
recent K9W operation. I also have been using a HB QRP xmtr from
1924 and have worked from C6 up into VE2/VE3.  

I would wonder about the possibility of 'under-the-house' radials
putting rf into your house wiring, and if using your xmit antenna
for rcving, picking up trash from your in-house gadgets...tv, computer
etc, esp if you are running power. You may be able to get someone
to model the two systems and the results might help you make up
your mind. 

Good luck with what ever method you end up with...73 de Bill K4JYS (NC)

- Original Message -
From: "Robert L Chortek" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 2:51:50 PM
Subject: Topband: Radial Question

Hello Fellow Topbanders -

We are about to embark on a front yard landscaping project at our home on a
tiny 12, 500 sq. ft. lot.

It occurred to me this would be an excellent opportunity to put down a large
number of buried ground radials BUT, they  would only cover about 90 degrees
of the compass. Then it also occurred to me I could put down a large number
of radials in our crawl space under the house.

So, my question is, what is the likely negative impact, if any, from the
house being between the 160 meter vertical and the radials placed under the
house?  I assume the house material, most of which is wood, tile, sheetrock,
etc. (with the usual house wiring) would be invisible to RF and have minimal
impact.

If I could put down say 60 radials ranging in length from 40  to 120 feet
long, would it outperform my current system with 8 resonant elevated radials
10 -15 feet high (which cover only about 120 degrees of the compass)?   I'm
incline to proceed IF it would provide a meaningful improvement in my
transmitted signal strength.

Thanks for any help!

73,

Bob/AA6VB

_
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: Radial Question

[Bill Stewart]

Hi Bob,
I can't add much in the way of technical reasons for adding
the radials vs a c-poise. However, I can say that my Inv. L, with
a four wire quarter wave c-poise has worked quite well...and 
with much less work than all the radials you are considering.
I use only 100 watts and have worked into the Carib. and the
recent K9W operation. I also have been using a HB QRP xmtr from
1924 and have worked from C6 up into VE2/VE3.  

I would wonder about the possibility of 'under-the-house' radials
putting rf into your house wiring, and if using your xmit antenna
for rcving, picking up trash from your in-house gadgets...tv, computer
etc, esp if you are running power. You may be able to get someone
to model the two systems and the results might help you make up
your mind. 

Good luck with what ever method you end up with...73 de Bill K4JYS (NC)

- Original Message -
From: "Robert L Chortek" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 2:51:50 PM
Subject: Topband: Radial Question

Hello Fellow Topbanders -

We are about to embark on a front yard landscaping project at our home on a 
tiny 12, 500 sq. ft. lot.

It occurred to me this would be an excellent opportunity to put down a large 
number of buried ground radials BUT, they  would only cover about 90 degrees of 
the compass. Then it also occurred to me I could put down a large number of 
radials in our crawl space under the house.

So, my question is, what is the likely negative impact, if any, from the house 
being between the 160 meter vertical and the radials placed under the house?  I 
assume the house material, most of which is wood, tile, sheetrock, etc. (with 
the usual house wiring) would be invisible to RF and have minimal impact.

If I could put down say 60 radials ranging in length from 40  to 120 feet long, 
would it outperform my current system with 8 resonant elevated radials 10 -15 
feet high (which cover only about 120 degrees of the compass)?   I'm incline to 
proceed IF it would provide a meaningful improvement in my transmitted signal 
strength.

Thanks for any help!

73,

Bob/AA6VB

_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: 160M Contest

[Bill Stewart]

Hi Jim,
Since you brought up QRP I will pass along my experiences
for the last couple of hours on 160m.
I have worked almost 30 stations in 15 states, VE2, VE3 & C6.
The rig is a homebrew 1924 four coil Meissner osc running abt
5 watts input and much less out..C-301A tube...rcvr a R-388/URR.
The xmtr is built on a pine board & maybe a T7-9 note...depending
on the freq. The ant. is a run-of-the-mill inverted L with a 4 wire
c-p. Condx must be excellent tonight. I have had a ball. Good luck 
with your states & congrats on what you have worked so far...tonight
might be your night.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Jim Brown" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Friday, December 6, 2013 8:11:29 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: 160M Contest

On 12/6/2013 1:50 PM, Milt -- N5IA wrote:
> It is 2 hours before sunset our here in the desert southwest, but I 
> can hear real well to the east.

That's quite common -- in the first hours we hear them, but they don't 
hear us for two reasons. First, they're using NE RX antennas to work EU. 
Second, their band noise is likely 10 dB or so greater than ours, 
because the band is open to the east.

I'm going to run QRP hoping to complete QRP WAS (I need 6 eastern 
states), except that I'll go QRO on the outside chance that a new 
country shows up.

73, Jim K9YC
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: TEST on 1830

[Bill Stewart]

Yep

- Original Message -
From: "Charlie Cunningham" 
To: "Bill Stewart" 
Cc: "Top Band Reflector" , "Roger D Johnson" 

Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 12:52:18 PM
Subject: RE: Topband: TEST on 1830

Smithfield, NC?

-Original Message-
From: Bill Stewart [mailto:cw...@embarqmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 12:46 PM
To: Charlie Cunningham
Cc: Top Band Reflector; Roger D Johnson
Subject: Re: Topband: TEST on 1830

Hi Charlie, I wasn't sure...subj. sorta sounded like
he might be testing.

I'm still hearing the 80m sigs here near Smithfield.
Much weaker now, but readable. No dir. antennas so
can't add to the thread..but interesting reading.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Charlie Cunningham" 
To: "Bill Stewart" , "Roger D Johnson" 

Cc: "Top Band Reflector" 
Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 12:23:38 PM
Subject: RE: Topband: TEST on 1830

Don't think Roger was testing. I think he was reporting a signal he was
hearing from the south of ME.

Charlie, K4OTV

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Stewart
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 12:16 PM
To: Roger D Johnson
Cc: Top Band Reflector
Subject: Re: Topband: TEST on 1830

Roger, if you are testing you might
use the reverse beacon network.
Make several CW CQ calls and maybe a 
'skimmer' will hear you...neat hi
tech way to see if one is getting out..
gives sig. strength rprt too.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Roger D Johnson" 
To: "Top Band Reflector" 
Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 11:16:19 AM
Subject: Topband: TEST on 1830

Anyone else hearing this? It's south from Maine.

73, Roger

-- 
Remember the Liberty (AGTR-5)
http://www.usslibertyveterans.org/
http://www.gtr5.com/

_
Topband Reflector
_
Topband Reflector

_
Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: TEST on 1830

[Bill Stewart]

Hi Charlie, I wasn't sure...subj. sorta sounded like
he might be testing.

I'm still hearing the 80m sigs here near Smithfield.
Much weaker now, but readable. No dir. antennas so
can't add to the thread..but interesting reading.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Charlie Cunningham" 
To: "Bill Stewart" , "Roger D Johnson" 

Cc: "Top Band Reflector" 
Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 12:23:38 PM
Subject: RE: Topband: TEST on 1830

Don't think Roger was testing. I think he was reporting a signal he was
hearing from the south of ME.

Charlie, K4OTV

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Stewart
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 12:16 PM
To: Roger D Johnson
Cc: Top Band Reflector
Subject: Re: Topband: TEST on 1830

Roger, if you are testing you might
use the reverse beacon network.
Make several CW CQ calls and maybe a 
'skimmer' will hear you...neat hi
tech way to see if one is getting out..
gives sig. strength rprt too.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Roger D Johnson" 
To: "Top Band Reflector" 
Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 11:16:19 AM
Subject: Topband: TEST on 1830

Anyone else hearing this? It's south from Maine.

73, Roger

-- 
Remember the Liberty (AGTR-5)
http://www.usslibertyveterans.org/
http://www.gtr5.com/

_
Topband Reflector
_
Topband Reflector

_
Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: TEST on 1830

[Bill Stewart]

Roger, if you are testing you might
use the reverse beacon network.
Make several CW CQ calls and maybe a 
'skimmer' will hear you...neat hi
tech way to see if one is getting out..
gives sig. strength rprt too.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Roger D Johnson" 
To: "Top Band Reflector" 
Sent: Friday, November 1, 2013 11:16:19 AM
Subject: Topband: TEST on 1830

Anyone else hearing this? It's south from Maine.

73, Roger

-- 
Remember the Liberty (AGTR-5)
http://www.usslibertyveterans.org/
http://www.gtr5.com/

_
Topband Reflector
_
Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: 160m Inverted L High SWR-SUCCESS!

[Bill Stewart]

Good afternoon all...and a good one it is. 
I won't bore y'all with the fine details, but will say that here are the 
final results: 
Vert lgth: 55 ft 
Total lgth: 137.5 ft 
C-P wires (4 @ 9' high): 135 ft long 
Shunt capacitor: 3 ea 500uuf doorknobs - 1500uuf total 
  Variable cap. not needed 
2:1 SWR points: 1.800 mhz/1.841mhz 
   Min. SWR at 1.820 - 1.3:1 
TS-440S, boatanchors and me are happy. 
Lesson learned: what works for other folks ain't necessarily 
gonna work for me. 
  
Thanks to all for the comments, suggestions, etc. 
What a great group here on the Topband list. 
  
73 de Bill, K4JYS 
_
Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: 160m Inverted L High SWR

[Bill Stewart]

To all who responded...many thanks. 
I am now in the process of reading over all the suggestions, which 
were plentiful. 
  
So far I have tried folding back (shortening) the C-P wires by 2 ftno 
change, but I'm gonna make a more drastic change and see what that 
does. I changed the coax run also, with no change. SWR still just shy of 
3:1. I will move on to some of the other suggestions. 
  
Question 1: there was mention of tuning the C-P wires. Does that mean to 
trim them to the desired operating freq (swr min)...leaving the vert as is? 
Would the method be to apply rf between one wire (all others unhooked) 
and the vert and adj the C-P wire for the desired freq. 
  
Question 2: there was also mention of using a choke at the feed point. 
Recommendations were 30T of 9913 on 8" dia & 30T of RG8 on 6" dia. 
I'm using RG8X so I guess abt the same T/dia would work..doesn't seem 
too critical.  
  
I can only extend the horiz. section abt ten more feet before the end gets 
into the support tree so will probably have to leave it around 130' long. 
I will only be running a max of 200w so no hi-pwr coax or other HV devices 
should be needed. 
  
Again, thanks for all the helpful comments...now out to the back yard..again. 
73 de Bill K4JYS 
_
Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: 160m Inverted L High SWR

[Bill Stewart]

Tnx Richard for the info.
I've got a small collection of doorknobs and will ck to see
if I can cobble up that much capacitance. I only run less
than 200 watts output, so won't need any HV vacuum caps. From
what I read, the inv L can be fed directly with 50 ohm coax, but
no mention is made of what the swr might be. In an open field, 
made per the book, the swr might be much lower than mine. My ant.
has a lot of tall pines close to it.

I thought the "Q" of the antenna was not vry good since the SWR
curve is vry broad.

The choke you mention..is it made with coax coiled up at the feed
point..if so, any idea how many turns & coil dia?

Last night I made contacts into Minn, NY and PA, with 589 reports..
running a Viking 2 at 100w output. Oh, and receiving seems to be
good too...W1AW overloaded my SX-71 and other stns were cmg in
good as well...so some success.

Tnx, 73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
From: "Richard Karlquist" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 6:14:12 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: 160m Inverted L High SWR

On 2013-10-01 14:08, Bill Stewart wrote:
> Good afternoon all,

> The vert. section is
> abt 55 ft & the rest is nearly flat horizontal. Total length is 130
> ft/6 in. I am using a
> 4 wire c-poise abt 9 ft high of which none are directly under the
> horiz. section.
> Each wire is abt 135 ft long. The min. SWR is abt 2.9:1 at 1833 khz. 
> The SWR

This is exactly what you would expect.  It corresponds to a drive 
impedance
of something like 18 ohms, about right for a top loaded 55 foot 
vertical.

You will need to put a shunt capacitor of about 2400 pF across your 
coax,
and then increase the length of the L until you get the resonance to
1833 kHz.

I currently have a top loaded 60 foot vertical and this is very similar
to my situation.  You will find that after proper matching, the 
bandwidth
is really quite narrow, indicating reasonable efficiency.

You should probably add a common mode choke at the feedpoint if you
don't already have one.

Rick N6RK
_
Topband Reflector
_
Topband Reflector

Topband: 160m Inverted L High SWR

[Bill Stewart]

Good afternoon all, 
I just finished installing a new Inverted L. The previous one was removed 
because 
a tree fell across a set of guys on my tower, which had to be taken down. The 
new 
Inverted L is strung up amongst a lot of tall (80 ft +) pine trees. The vert. 
section is 
abt 55 ft & the rest is nearly flat horizontal. Total length is 130 ft/6 in. I 
am using a 
4 wire c-poise abt 9 ft high of which none are directly under the horiz. 
section. 
Each wire is abt 135 ft long. The min. SWR is abt 2.9:1 at 1833 khz. The SWR 
curve is broad which looks odd to me. I am feeding it direct with a random 
length of 
50 ohm coax. For these tests, I am using a TS-440S, which reduces power at this 
value of SWR (the internal tuner does not operate on 160). Normally, I would 
run 
vintage xmtrs, which load up ok. I will try it tonight to see if it gets out of 
the yard. 
  
Any suggestions how I can get the SWR down below 2:1 so the TS-440S will work 
at 
full power? I apologize if this subject has been discussed before. If so, 
please point 
me towards that info. 
  
Many thanks for any comments73 de Bil l K4JYS 
 
_
Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: QRP/Poor antenna stations ARRL160

[Bill Stewart]

Jon,
Good job with a minimal setup. 
I worked ten stations using my homebrew 1924 4-coil Meissner osc, 
using a C-301A tube ('24 vintage) at about 4 watts input (maybe 1.5 out). The 
antenna was a 160m off ctr fed hertz, now called a windom, at 35ft. Most of the 
stns I worked were in PA, TN and FL. Hope to be squeaking this w/e in an AWA 
event. Great fun.
73 de Bill K4JYS (NC) 

- Original Message -

While not running QRP, my antenna in the ARRL 160 was loading up the rain 
gutter on ourone story rental duplex in Lawrence, KS. Maximum height is about 
10 feet above ground, a marginalTop Band antenaa at best. I set up to hand out 
some contacts in the contest. Oddly, it loaded easilywith a MFJ tuner.   N0TT, 
N0NI, W0SD, AA1K and about 80 other stations heard me, most on first or second 
call Saturday night. Best DXwas probably KA6BIM/7 in Oregon. Good ops and 
patient with the weak signal crowd. I found it easier to work stations after 
mid-night as many of the big ops were hungry for QSOs. Butseveral stations were 
not worked who kept calling CQ over and over with almost no time listening...

 - N0JK

Some harder than others.  W0SD gave my QRP signal a real good try early 
in the evening, but couldn't get the exchange. I'll certainly try again 
tonight.  N0TT and N0NI heard me almost right away, but it took some 
repeats to get in their logs. They were my best DX last night. I worked 
several NM stations, but WD5COV, even when on his 20 over S9 west-facing 
TX antenna, never gave me so much as a QRZ for the several dozen times I 
called, and had his auto CQ set for a very short recycle time.
 
If you're going to work weak signals, both sides of the QSO need 
patience, operating skill, and good ears. There are FAR too many 
alligators on the band. Doing the math, 20dB down from 1.5 kW is 15 
watts, and a 5W signal would be S8. If your noise level is S8, IMO, you 
have no business running 1.5kW! - K9YC
 













   
___
Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
___
Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com

Re: Topband: Coastal radio stations

[Bill Stewart]

Tnx, Ian, for the info. On the same subj., KSM (using the former KPH equipment 
and rec/xmit sites) is still on the air. They send (around 20wpm) wx, news, tfc 
lists, etc on several frequencies...usually on the weekends. The Maritime Radio 
Historical Society keeps it running and is an on-going project. The web site 
is: http://www.radiomarine.org/. The web site has a lot of stories, pix, 
history of KPH and recordings of cw traffic. Ham call is K6KPH. Another great 
resource for the coastal radio stn/ship buff.
73 de Bill K4JYS

- Original Message -
Here is a very interesting site with details of coastal radio stations. 
Very useful for identifying stations in top band (and 80m):

http://www.coastalradio.org.uk/index.html

In particular, see the frequency listing at:

http://www.coastalradio.org.uk/freqlists/coastmf.pdf

-- 
73
Ian, G3NRW

The 160m Band Utilization Chart:
   http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wadei/160m_band_utilization.htm

 >

 >

 >

 >

 >









































___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Nice QRPP QSO

[Bill Stewart]

Congrats, Gary, on the QRPp QSO. QRP on top band is quite an accomplishment and 
is a real thrill when it happens. I recently built a 4 coil Meissner osc, from 
a 1924 QST. It uses a C-301A ('24 vintage) tube at about 4 watts input...and 
probably about 1.5 out. I strung up a 160m Windom at 30-35 feet...thot it would 
be a dummy load...but so far I've worked about 5 states...and Eddy, VE3CUI and 
getting pretty good reports. If you hear me down at the low end of 160, pse 
give me a call.
Have fun...73, Bill K4JYS (NC) 

- Original Message -
From: "Gary Smith" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 2:44:28 AM
Subject: Topband: Nice QRPP QSO

By no means any shadow of a record but I just had a CW QSO on TB with 
N3LCW/QRP in Md & me in CT; about 300 miles apart. The band was 
absent of signals till down at the bottom, there he was calling CQ as 
a QRP so I switched the amp off, turned the K3 down to 5W and got A 
599. a bit later I dropped it to 100mW and got a 559 from his K2.

Kind of amazing there aren't more people on 160, it's definitely 
alive. 100mW... nice!

Gary
KA1J/QRPp
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: RFI

[Bill Stewart]

Mike,
We bought a Samsung HD TV a few years ago. It puts out a birdie every 25khz or 
so and can be heard fairly strong on 160..one around 1825. It also puts out a 
pulse type trash in large portions of 80/75 mtrs. I can hear it out in the back 
yard shack. The only way to get rid of the noise is to unplug from the 
AC...turning it off just gets rid of the birdies, not the pulse noise. 
Gud luck, 73 de Bill K4JYS 



- Original Message -
From: "Mike Greenway" 
To: "TOPBAND" 
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 8:22:48 AM
Subject: Topband: RFI

This year I am encountering a hash noise that repeats about every 66 to 70 Khz. 
 It is maybe 20 or 25 khz wide with a peak at the center.  Sound like the 
background noise is just increasing as you tune across it.  Has anyone 
identified something like this?  73 Mike K4PI
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK