Topband: Delta RX Antenna @ FO0AAA
Here's a few notes from Earl, K6SE about the antenna... http://www.eham.net/articles/806 He states that ON4UN built the antenna using the K6SE design. He also references the QST article he wrote which appeared in the July 2000 issue. Doug - K1ZO _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Easy-to-learn 160 contest logging program?
N1MM - Original Message - From: "Mike Waters" To: "topband" Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2013 10:55 AM Subject: Topband: Easy-to-learn 160 contest logging program? I know, it's a little late to be asking this, but does anyone have any suggestions for a free, simple logging program that will work for the ARRL 160 this weekend? It would be nice if it also worked for the Stew Perry at the end of the month? I don't care about rig control or anything like that. Just logging and dupe checking. I just tried CT for DOS (ran it in a DOS emulator in Linux), but it looks like it has a learning curve. And besides, its seems that you have to enter the call AND grid before it reports a dupe. I was going to modify an old DOS Pascal logging program I wrote years ago, but that wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. The Turbo Pascal 3 compiler floppy seems bad, and the Pascal code won't run under newer version of any Pascal IDE I tried. Any advice would be appreciated. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Insulator problems
Try here Herb, http://www.surplussales.com/antennas/antennas-6.html http://www.daburn.com/10-58ceramicfeed-thruinsulators.aspx I have not purchased from either of these 2 places... Doug - K1ZO - Original Message - From: "Herb Schoenbohm" To: Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 2:19 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Insulator problems My 160 meter ATU uses an old military box with the original behive feed thru insulator that is starting to crumble. I haven't been able to find a pocelin feed thu of that size (about 3'') and the ones on e bay are very small. Any suggestions for a source? Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 12/17/2013 3:09 PM, w9...@aol.com wrote: When I lost my last set of monster buss bar ceramic insulators to breakage due to a broken guy line on the tower, I replaced them with artificial wood. I used 4 X 4's. It machines easily and works flawlessly wet or dry with full power even in very high voltage conditions. The material is actually made from recycled milk containers, so the factory told me. Anyone who wants a picture, I'll send it to you. 73, Barry W9UCW _ 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: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employseparate receive antenna
Jim, I did the same thing years ago. I modified an old B & W antenna switch, added a 12 volt relay triggered from the amp out jack. Even without the switch, 3 panel mount SO-239s, a relay and an enclosure would be a minimal investment. Doug - K1ZO - Original Message - From: "Shoppa, Tim" To: "James Rodenkirch" ; "Top Band Contesting" Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 8:48 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employseparate receive antenna Traditionally a "T/R switch" means a switch to be used the other way, to allow you to move a single antenna between your separate transmitter and receiver. Ironic that here we are in the 21st century and some of use an external box to do the reverse function! To switch between transmit and receive antennas on my rig, I use a small 12V relay keyed via my Ten-Tec Eagle's "amp key" output when I'm on 160. Every transceiver made in the past 50 years has an amp key line of some kind. On the Jupiter it's a phono jack labeled "EXT T/R". Tim N3QE -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Rodenkirch Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 8:36 AM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: Single antenna port xcvr but want to employ separate receive antenna Have my vertical working great and have a small Delta-loop low band receive antenna BUT the Ten Tec Jupiter doesn't have a separate receive antenna like a K2, for instance (I borrowed a K2 to try out but the buttons/controls are to small for me to operate as I have a severe case of peripheral neuropathy, courtesy of Agent Orange).So, I am up and running and will be in the CQ 160 contest at the end of January but have no means, currently, of switching rapidly 'tween the top loaded vertical and loop. A T/R switch won't "do it" for meso looking at a DX Engineering RTR-1A but sure don't like the price!!http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-rtr-1a Anyone have an RTR-1 or 1A that is excess to their needs and willing to sell OR have another idea of how I can employ a separate receive antenna when I have one antenna port? Thank you, in advance, for any repliesoff line replies work for me. 72/73, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV _ 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: W1AW/7 in Arizona operating schedule
Thanks Milt! I wish all the operations would do this... 73 Doug - K1ZO - Original Message - From: "Milt -- N5IA" To: ; Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 10:54 AM Subject: Topband: W1AW/7 in Arizona operating schedule To better provide an opportunity for the interested masses who are intent on working the W1AW call sign in all 50 States, the operating schedule for all bands from Arizona locations can be found at the following URL. http://www.n7cw.com/Schedule.html The operation starts at Z Wednesday, 12 March, which is 5 PM local in Arizona. You will note that both time lines are listed in the schedule. Don’t be confused if you are NOT in AZ. Just use the Zulu time line. Good luck, and CU all in the pile ups starting this evening. 73 de Milt, N5IA, who will be operating from N7GP in AZ, exclusively on 160 Meters - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4335 / Virus Database: 3722/7177 - Release Date: 03/10/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Unknown Pulse Signal Wiping out 1900-1925 kHz
10 over 9 in SW New Hampshire @ 1140Z Doug - K1ZO - Original Message - From: "Tony K1AMF" To: "'Doug Grant'" ; "'Rich C'" Cc: "'Ray Benny'" ; Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 6:41 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Unknown Pulse Signal Wiping out 1900-1925 kHz S8-9 near NYC right now 11:40Z...was about 10 over 9 here a half hour ago. -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Doug Grant Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2014 6:38 AM To: Rich C Cc: Ray Benny; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Unknown Pulse Signal Wiping out 1900-1925 kHz 1136z and it is 40 over 9 here in southern Maine. It is not far away from here. On Tue, Dec 9, 2014 at 4:41 AM, Rich C wrote: I just did a check with the HI Z 4-8 and it is DUE EAST of here at S8-9 here in Grants Pass Oregon. It drops off each side of due east when I switch it. Rich K7ZV On Mon, December 8, 2014 10:00 pm, Doug Grant wrote: 0350z it is back and loud again (40dB over s9) and has QSB. This site shows how Codar systems work http://www.ims.uaf.edu/hfradar/how_it_works/ the sound clip on that page has audio that is higher-pitched than the one on 1915 but similar in structure. 73, Doug K1DG On Tue, Dec 9, 2014 at 3:44 AM, Ray Benny wrote: Guys, I am hearing something between 1910 and 1925. Its a rapid, raspy, pulse tone, but its coming from the SE in Central AZ (SA direction). It is just above my noise level, currently S4, so not strong. Do not hear it on my TX vertical. Don't know if this could be the noise reported or some local garbage in my area. Using a HI-Z RX 4 SQ. Ray, N6VR On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 7:13 PM, Doug Grant wrote: From: k...@myfairpoint.net Monday? 9;45 AM Unable to hear the 1900-1925 Khz. interfering signal this morning. Propagation change, or is the signal gone ? Anyone still hear it? I checked a few times during the day on Monday and did not hear it. At 0200z I checked again and it was there and very loud...40dB over s9. Definitely louder on my NE antenna, but only by 10 dB or so. Maybe it is close enough that it is arriving at a high angle. But 30 seconds after I tuned in, it stopped! The signal characteristics are almost identical to CODAR sea-surface radar. There are three of those installations in Maine and VE1 that are easy to hear on 4.8 MHz. Maybe they are trying smoethign new there. Or maybe is it in TF or even shipboard somewhere off Newfoundland...the CODAR system uses fairly small antennas and low power, so it is possible. I placed a phone call over the weekend to the Operations Manager for one of the projects using those sites and left a message asking if they had something running at 1.9 MHz, but no answer yet. 73, Doug K1DG Long Island, ME FN43 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Unknown Pulse Signal Wiping out 1900-1925 kHz
There's one shown on Marthas Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast and Chebogue, Nova Scotia. Doug - K1ZO - Original Message - From: "Mike Waters" To: Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 9:23 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Unknown Pulse Signal Wiping out 1900-1925 kHz I found something interesting on http://www.codar.com . Take a look at the changing graphic on the main page, which shows different places in the world where these are installed. You need to watch it awhile, because every so often a new location appears in the sequence. Among other locations, I saw Alaska, California, and New Jersey. That's all I had time to look at on that site. There may be other useful info there. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 10:00 PM, Doug Grant wrote: This site shows how Codar systems work http://www.ims.uaf.edu/hfradar/how_it_works/ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: What IS troubling about this report....
Sometimes you don't want to follow the DX instructions... Yesterday E30FB was on 18.155, listening up 5 to 15, which ends up being out of band. That didn't stop lots calling above 18.168 K1ZO - Original Message - From: "Larry" To: Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 9:10 AM Subject: Re: Topband: What IS troubling about this report Sometimes the DXpedition is its own worst enemy. If they ask for W6 and then relent after a couple tries to work the W6 and then works someone else sends the message is you guys can bulldoze me so keep calling. Many of the later DXpeditions have been much better at this and more persistent in working the station they were calling. The problem of persisting to work they station is that it ruins your QSO rate. Of course, all of those callers can ruin your QSO rate as well. Another classic one is DX lectures on "don't call while I am working a station" and then proceeds W6 59, now W4 59. The W6 59, now the other W6 is understandable. Both of those scenarios give rise to constant calling unfortunately. The E30 yesterday actually worked a couple of stations that I heard almost on his own frequency which doesn't help. Sadly, I think it was an E30 pile, E30 called someone and he didn't respond. E30 called again. Someone said something like "Fred send your report" and "Fred" dutifully sent his report. Another "QSO" in the log. Years ago I had heard that done on 2M several times. 73, Larry W6NWS -Original Message- From: W0MU Mike Fatchett Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 12:48 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: What IS troubling about this report Much of the time it is a simple mistake. I did it to the E30 tonight and I am trying to be very careful. I changed bands and came back and the split was cancelled. I was that Lid. Usually a simple up up is fine but the cops have to go off on rant. Then I hear up, I immediately look to make sure split is on and the b vfo is in the pile. Many people simply do no listen or are chasing DX on CW when they have very little comprehension of CW and are lucky to send their call and be able to understand it when called. The new disturbing trend I have seen is that nobody listens or cares what the DX asks for on Phone or CW. The Dx calls for the W6 and W1 N3 K4 PY2 etc all continue to call and call and call attempting to cover up or bulldoze the station the DX wants to steal that contact. I have watched my P3 where the station who the DX wants to work was pretty clean and then 10 people show up on that frequency. This was a behavior that used to be carried out generally by a country in Europe in the 80's. Apparently it has now caught on all over. This behavior is wrecking the rate that the DX could be going as he has to ask for fills 2 or 3 or more times. Mike W0MU On 3/14/2015 9:04 PM, Tom WA2BCK wrote: Glenn, Your summary was wonderful and loaded with excellent advice. I often wonder why stations persist in calling on the DX stations transmit frequency. Surely by now, the entire ham radio community must realize that DXpeditions operate up or down and usually do not answer calls on their own transmit frequency. It continually amazes me how many times people call on the DX stations transmit frequency. It is so frustrating! I don't know the appropriate solution but I would like to broadcast to the entire ham radio community to listen when the operator says UP. Thanks for allowing me to blow off steam! Tom WA2BCK -Original Message- From: James Rodenkirch Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2015 4:39 PM To: Top Band Contesting Subject: Topband: What IS troubling about this report from one of the K1N ops is there is nothing new here.all of his dozen plus points is/ae SO fundamental to anyone chasing DX...terrible operating habits or approaches by the majority of the DX chasers, obviously... I did work K1N with QRP power on 80, 20 and 15 so feel fortunate to "squeak in," so to speak...72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV From Glen W0GJ operating at K1N (as reported in the “Gray Line Report” of the Twin Cities ARC: GOOD ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE !Feedback and Lessons I learn a lot from every DXpedition I’ve ever been on. I’ve put together a summary of my two weeks of operation from Navassa. I’m sure all of my teammates will concur with what I’ve observed and learned. European stations complained a lot for the “short time” we worked Europe. QUITE THE CONTRARY This is a MOST interesting point of discussion! If you look at the times in our logs, we spent MORE time working Europe than working North America. Our Club Log statistics, however, show that North America had 58% of the contacts, Europe 32% and Asia 6%. WHY, then, if MORE time was spent working Europe, was Europe about half the number of North American contacts??? Simple answer: RATE. Period. When you listened to us working North America, we could cruise right along at 300-350 Q
