Re: Topband: Short receiving verticals question
ON4UN describes a method of "over swamping" the base of the topless verticals used in his four-square receive array to acheive wider bandwidth. On 80M, he switches in additional series resistance to arrive at a total feedpoint resistance of 300 ohm, then steps down to 75 ohm using a split winding 4:1 (2T:1T ratio) transformer (also helps mitigate common-mode). This effectively increases operating bandwidth. See section 1.28 "The Mini Receiving Four Square at ON4UN" in Chapter 7 / Receiving Antennas, Fifth Edition. I am doing some experiments with a 630M BSEF (8-circle) and have a test element currently using the same concept (though it is top loaded). 1.2:1 bandwidth was originally a mere 5 kHz. With the additional swamping resitance and step-down, it is now around 20 kHz. 73 Eric NO3M _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Easy-to-learn 160 contest logging program?
so2sdr by N4OGW: https://github.com/n4ogw/so2sdr Follow the compile instructions on the GIT page. Build with QT 4 (ie. qmake-qt4 if you have other branches of QT installed). I have been using it exclusively since switching the shack PC to Linux a couple months ago and also contribute code. Much better than the other Linux contest loggers in my opinion. It is actually quite ahead of all loggers in terms of SDR / bandmap integration. 73 Eric NO3M On 12/04/2013 02:22 PM, DL4UNY - Andre wrote: Mike, there are several linux contest loggers. TRlog has a linux version ( http://www.kkn.net/trlinux/ ). Drawbacks: * supercheckpartial doesn't work 'on the fly', you need a key shortcut * you need a X running tlf ( https://github.com/Tlf/tlf ) is a nice and easy-to-understand logging software. Configuration is a bit tricky but since you're used to Linux it shouldn't be a problem to you. Everything (rig control, keying) works without problems! YFKtest ( http://fkurz.net/ham/yfktest.html ) is nice logging program as well, easy to understand. The author (DJ1YFK) helps immediately if there are any problems / questions. JL ( http://www.qsl.net/w1jq/ ) is a nice contest logbook. Easy to use and easy to understand with all the important features. Drawbacks: * based on Java * you need a X running QLE ( http://home.kpn.nl/w.knol18/qle/qle.html ) never tested, since it is pretty new. But it seems to be a simple contest logger. hth 73 DL4UNY - Andre On 12/04/2013 07:12 PM, Mike Waters wrote: Thanks for all the recommendations for N1MM, but I am just unable to install it on my shack's Linux computer. Under WINE, I get a database run-time error after I do the latest update. And there's something wrong with my Virtualbox Windows XP installation on that machine that I don't have time to fix. How about Trlog for DOS? There is NO price or purchase info at http://www.trlog.com, nor does it say what contests the free version supports. I'll look at the others soon. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Spurious Signal on 1810.8
East from near Erie, PA. No SE antenna to try, so can't determine if the signal favors that direction from here or not. Freq. is 1810.53 when zero-beat in CW, but does not seem particularly stable, moving +/- several Hz in a short period of time. Last check zeroed at 1810.57. 73 - Eric NO3M On 10/02/12 18:19, Paul Ferguson wrote: From Raleigh, NC the 1810.8 buzzy signal comes from the Northeast direction. 73, Paul K5ESW ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: radial wire source
Also check what might be available from the Wireman. I picked up a 5000 ft spool of twin-lead (#18?) from them a couple years ago for $100. It was a bit of a job splitting it, mainly from the tendency to twist when pulling the insulation apart in the middle. However, cutting to the desired radial length and connecting one end to a pulley w/ a pivot took care of that. Having two people pulling it apart while walking out from center also helps to keep tension on both wires and avoid it balling up where it is splitting/twisting. All said and done, 1+ ft of radials for about $0.01/ft and it's held up fine over the past two years. 73 - Eric NO3M On 06/05/12 12:18, Jim Brown wrote: > I've used a lot of #14 THHN solid because it's cheaper than stranded, > and find it no more difficult to work with than stranded wire. I would > love to use #18, but have not been able to find a source for it in > quantity. Either Lowe's or Home Depot (don't recall which) orffers a > quantity discount for something like six 500 ft spools. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ___ > UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: RX antenna switch
System similar to what you mentioned regarding the gain compensation/distribution, HPF/BPFs, RX overload, PTT, and additional signal path sources and output routing (incl. looping back): http://no3m.net/index.php?page=signal-processor Has an on-board embedded MPU, but a header can be used w/ switches for manual control. 73/HNY - Eric NO3M > If it were the 'ideal' thing, there'd be a box with a matrix of switches (A x > B), gain blocks that could be put in/out of the circuit, BPFs that could be > put in and out, 'muting' of any RX output that is connected to a transmitter > that is transmitting, RX overload protection, and some general purpose inputs > to select the 'configuration'. Probably a PIC to run it, with a nice GUI app > to configure it. > > > - Brian N9ADG > ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: EY9 Beacon
Anyone know anything about a beacon identifying as EY9 followed by a 3 seconds keydown? It's on 1812 since about 8 minutes ago... 73 - Eric NO3M ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
