Re: Topband: Plasma TV noise
Will, You are fortunate to afford such an approach. In my own experience, it has been a challenge even to get a neighbor to replace a noisy variable light switch--even if I did the work and supplied the replacement.. Garry, NI6T On 11/18/2016 6:09 AM, Will Angenent wrote: Yes I did I bought my neighbor a new TV Will K6ND Sent from my iPhone On Nov 18, 2016, at 6:59 AM, William Hillwrote: Hello: Has anyone successfully solved this problem? 73, Bill/W3WH --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Tuner
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Re: Topband: I got my comments in regarding Radio Buoy Beacons on 1900-2000
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Re: Topband: [Bulk] Best wire antenna for roof top location
And Bob Brown used a monograph by J.A. Ratcliffe--The Magneto-Ionic Theory and its Application to the Ionosphere which says the same thing. It has to do with the angle between the E vector and the Earth's Geomagnetic Field, which is horizontal at the geomagnetic equator. Bob borrowed my copy of the book when he was writing the Big Gun's Guide. Garry, NI6T On 8/7/2015 6:24 PM, Greg - ZL3IX wrote: Careful Mike! Jakarta is close to the equator, and power coupling is likely to be better from a horizontally polarised antenna, especially in an E-W direction. Ref The Big Gun's Guide to Low-Band Propagation by Bob Brown, NM7M (SK) On 2015-08-08 12:40 p.m., Mike Waters wrote: For 160 DX, a vertically-polarized antenna (fed against a proper ground) is best. http://www.w0btu.com/160_meters.html 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On 8/7/2015 16:52 PM, Nuradi wrote: I plan to install wire antenna on a roof top of a 33rd story building (about 110 metres above the ground) for operating on the 160M, 80M and 40M band. ... Preferable wire antenna is lazy 'laying'H or quad, dipole, slope.. _ 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: looking at the ionosphere
And Ms. Loi is only an undergraduate! Big career ahead for her! Garry, NI6T On 6/2/2015 5:05 PM, N7DF via Topband wrote: The VKs seem to be on the ball againActually looking at propagation as it is happening http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/aussie-student-proves-existence-of-plasma-tubes-floating-above-earth/story-fnjwlcze-1227379756018 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Yikes
Tonight K6MM told the NCDXC that LOTW is a few months down the road. Garry, NI6T On 2/19/2015 6:08 PM, Larry via Topband wrote: Ham radio is sure changing and not for the better. $6 for a QSL card is outrageous. are they posting the logs on LOTW? i wonder if those who kindly contributed to the expedition will have to pay for their cards? larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Doug Renwick ve...@sasktel.net To: topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Fri, Feb 20, 2015 1:47 am Subject: Topband: Yikes K1N club log is now up. First QSO costs $6.00 USD. That's got to be the most expensive I have seen. Anyone top that one. I am not complaining! Doug There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual or lawyer could believe them. - George Orwell, 1984 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ 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: K1N 5,399 q's on 160 M
George is spot-on with his comments. I logged K1N from W6 early in the expedition at 0857Z on 3 February for my first QSO with K1N. The absence of Euros made it a relatively easy QSO. Garry, NI6T On 2/17/2015 6:28 PM, GeorgeWallner wrote: Jon, I was one of the 160 m operators. NA callers were thick during the evening hours when they were competing with EU, making for some difficult pile-ups, but after midnight (and EU sunrise), often there were very few NA callers. George AA7JV On Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:57:38 + jon jones n...@hotmail.com wrote: I consider VP6DX to be one of the top all time 160 meter DX operations. Despite being thousands of miles from North America, they worked many small stations including me (at the time had just moved so a random wire thrown over the house and 100 watts). K1N had a great signal on 160, well over S-9 most nights - but seemed to be having difficulty hearing callers. Despite a full size inverted L, I was not QSO 5,400... - Jon N0JK IMHO the operations at 5A7A, K5D, K1N, R1MVW, HK0NA, TS7C,and TX5K did an extremely good job and were able to take advantage of the proximity to major population areas. They had to have a good station and great operators, and had to be on the ground long enough to take make the large amount of Qs. But, and again IMHO, the operations at VP6DX, T32C, and ZL8X are OUTSTANDING because they had to overcome the big one; DISTANCE, for nearly 100% of their Qs. Now to separate those three just a bit. ZL8X did 4,206 Qs with a crew of 14 operators and 18 days of operation. T32C did 4,985 Qs with a crew of 41 operators and 32 days of operation. VP6DX did 6,671 Qs with a crew of 13 operators and 17 days of operation. 73 de Milt, N5IA _ 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: K1N 5,399 q's on 160 M
Alaska is definitely a very special case Garry On 2/17/2015 7:52 PM, KL7RA wrote: I logged K1N from W6 early in the expedition at 0857Z on 3 February for my first QSO with K1N. The absence of Euros made it a relatively easy QSO. But not for all of North America. I also waited until Europe was shut off but before the path to Asia started but no luck. K1N could get well above the noise for many hours but Alaska is in a bad spot on the planet for these DXpeditions on topband. Payback is stuff in the Pacific. I didn't start hearing them at all until much later in the trip but had a few days where I could copy them from their sunset to sunrise but that's no surprise as we work CO2/KP4 every contest and they can be very loud on Top here once we get dark soaked. Their best signal by far was right at their sunset one evening then faded away and I never heard them again that night. Finally at their sunrise last Friday early morning when they went QRT they had a lot of USA and JA's calling. Not a few but a lot and for sure for me not a relatively easy QSO. Sorry I never made it but if this band was easy I wouldn't do it. 73 Rich KL7RA - Original Message - From: Garry Shapiro ga...@ni6t.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 5:51 PM Subject: Re: Topband: K1N 5,399 q's on 160 M George is spot-on with his comments. I logged K1N from W6 early in the expedition at 0857Z on 3 February for my first QSO with K1N. The absence of Euros made it a relatively easy QSO. Garry, NI6T On 2/17/2015 6:28 PM, GeorgeWallner wrote: Jon, I was one of the 160 m operators. NA callers were thick during the evening hours when they were competing with EU, making for some difficult pile-ups, but after midnight (and EU sunrise), often there were very few NA callers. George AA7JV On Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:57:38 + jon jones n...@hotmail.com wrote: I consider VP6DX to be one of the top all time 160 meter DX operations. Despite being thousands of miles from North America, they worked many small stations including me (at the time had just moved so a random wire thrown over the house and 100 watts). K1N had a great signal on 160, well over S-9 most nights - but seemed to be having difficulty hearing callers. Despite a full size inverted L, I was not QSO 5,400... - Jon N0JK IMHO the operations at 5A7A, K5D, K1N, R1MVW, HK0NA, TS7C,and TX5K did an extremely good job and were able to take advantage of the proximity to major population areas. They had to have a good station and great operators, and had to be on the ground long enough to take make the large amount of Qs. But, and again IMHO, the operations at VP6DX, T32C, and ZL8X are OUTSTANDING because they had to overcome the big one; DISTANCE, for nearly 100% of their Qs. Now to separate those three just a bit. ZL8X did 4,206 Qs with a crew of 14 operators and 18 days of operation. T32C did 4,985 Qs with a crew of 41 operators and 32 days of operation. VP6DX did 6,671 Qs with a crew of 13 operators and 17 days of operation. 73 de Milt, N5IA _ 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: K1N 5000q's on 160
Jim, What do you mean by FT5ZM being nowhere near the sea? Garry On 2/14/2015 10:00 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On Sat,2/14/2015 8:45 PM, Milt -- N5IA wrote: With a bit of time on my hands, and using some information and links sent to me by persons responding to my post earlier today, I have compiled the following list of All Time Topband DXpedition leaders for total 160 Meter Qs. This is one of those achievements were simple numbers don't tell the whole story. Considering their location, special mention ought to be made of FT5ZM (3,578 Qs, 789 of them to North America, halfway round the world and nowhere near the sea), of PT0S (3,027 Qs from four operators on some rocks in the South Atlantic), and of the several other two-man expeditions by George and Tomi for which statistics are not on ClubLog. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: K1N 5000q's on 160
Milt, One factor influencing the results is that topband has not been a focus for DXpeds for all that long. Time was that 2000 Q's was considered a major achievement and that was not so long ago. Pretty much the same for RTTY. Operating time used to be assigned grudgingly. The numbers have gone up due to audience demand. Garry, NI6T On 2/14/2015 8:45 PM, Milt -- N5IA wrote: With a bit of time on my hands, and using some information and links sent to me by persons responding to my post earlier today, I have compiled the following list of All Time Topband DXpedition leaders for total 160 Meter Qs. The following list of 7 DXpeditions are head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, so far as I have been able to discover in the records. Most other major DXpedtions list total Topband Qs in the 2,500 to 3,500 range. Very interesting. Enjoy, and if anyone has further information, please forward it to me. Thanks, and have a great, leisurely weekend now that you don't have to pursue K1N. 73 de Milt, N5IA === #1 5A7A, Libya, near Tripoli, with the entire European continent less than 4,000 KM distant. CW SSB RTTYPSK Total 160 M 6344 928 283 987653 === #2 K5D, Desecheo, Caribbean, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 5,600 KM distant. SSB CWRTTY Total 160 M 19835213 0 7196 === #3 VP6DX, Ducie Atoll, from the middle of the south Pacific in the southern hemisphere summer. There was strong QRN and somewhat shorter nights (operating periods on Topband). ZL = 5,400+ KM; VK = 8,000 to 11,700 KM; KH6 = 5,800+ KM; JA = 11,900+ KM; west coast of South America = 5,000+ KM; Rio de Janeiro = 8,100 KM; San Diego, USA = 6,400 KM; NYC, USA = 8,900 KM; and in EU -- Madrid = 14,200 KM; London = 14,400 KM; Berlin = 15,200 KM; Rome = 15,690 KM; Moscow = 16,100 KM; Athens = 16,600 KM. CWSSBRTTY Total 160 M 5097 1574 06671 === #4 K1N, Navassa, Carribean, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 5,600 KM distant. CWSSB RTTYTotal 160 M5399005399plus what is worked the last night, 15 Feb 15. == #5 T32C, Kiritimati Island, from near the center of the Pacific Ocean, 200 KM north of the Equator. ZL = 5,100+ KM; VK = 6,200 to 10,000 KM; KH6 = 1,900+ KM; JA = 7,400+ KM; west coast of South America = 8,500+ KM; Rio de Janeiro = 12,600 KM; San Diego, USA = 5,400 KM; NYC, USA = 9,300 KM; and in EU -- Madrid = 14,600 KM; London = 13,700 KM; Berlin = 13,900 KM; Rome = 15,050 KM; Moscow = 13,460 KM; Athens = 15,580 KM. SSBCWPSKRTTYPSK63FTotal 160 M 91735734 449 414984 == #6 HK0NA, Malpelo, off SW coast of Central America, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 7,000 KM distant. SSBCWRTTY Total 160 M8024138 04940 == #7 TX5K, Clipperton Island, off SW coast of Mexico, with the entire USA and most of Canada less than 6,000 KM distant. SSB CWRTTY Total 160 M4233662 0 4085 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5646 / Virus Database: 4284/9114 - Release Date: 02/14/15 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Beverage guidance needed
I live in a redwood forest and canyon and run two relatively short 2-wire Beverages through the thick woods. In fact I have never had any better situation to contend with. Not only do the wires hang on trees but they change altitude over rough terrain over their lengths. There is no room for a radial field for a TX vertical and not much separation between antennas. One Bev even includes a dogleg from having to reroute it over a neighbor's property. Effective is a judgment word and in the eye of the beholder, but I have 231 counters in the log on 160. Don't get me wrong, it has taken over 20 years to get there, but I got there. I have always believed any Beverage was better than no Beverage--a truth imparted to me two decades ago by KN6J, an early local achiever of topband DXCC. Bevs are cheap to construct and easy to repair, which is a good thing because the forest kills them frequently. Yes, try it---what is there to lose? I believe K9YC has had a similar experience. Garry, NI6T On 2/14/2015 9:35 AM, Charles Yahrling wrote: Hey guys, I'm doing some winter antenna daydreaming based on Low Band DXing and other sources. Is it safe to say that an E-W Beverage or a BOG would be ineffective if the wire were run through a wooded area, with or without a narrow lane cut for it? or is try it and find out the favored approach? My only semi site would be N-S along a property line along a road, directly across from power lines on conventional poles. E-W, reversible, would favor western europe and western US. My lot is a 5 acre wooded trapezoid so 500-600 feet would be max practical length. tnx in advance 73, chuck _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers DX Expedition finances
Dado, When you go to see a film, do you expect your neighbor to buy your ticket? Do you complain when you do not like the film? When you buy a car, do you expect your neighbor to pay the dealer? Do you complain when the car is not perfect? When you go to a restaurant, do you expect your neighbor to buy you dinner? Do you complain if you do not like the food? If you do, and get away with it, then you go right ahead and let your fellow hams pay for your DXing. You are obviously an important person and deserve such consideration. ;-) It therefore must be a privilege for me to support your hobby for you, and thank you. Back during the Arab oil embargo in 1973, there was a very popular bumper sticker in the US which said: Gas, grass or a**: nobody rides free. That is American slang, but I think you can figure it out. Garry, NI6T On 2/6/2015 3:55 AM, Dragoslav Balaban wrote: It appears to be the case that NA finances the big trips and EU gets the Q's. That needs to be ironed out. Garry while EU hams are very demanding, they don't do much to contribute to the cost. 73, Jim K9YC Funny that there is no comment abt this??? I also don't think something like that deserve any comment, but cant hold... I suggest that for those, who support this Opinion, that DX Mart or DX Supermarket should be started, so only one who pay get QSO, its a true HAM spirit. and then pay again for QSL... Maybe expedition even need not to go to the entity at all, why make cost, waste time and money, etc??? also, who pay more should get QSO first, and/or more QSO, maye to charge by Band / Mode... and maybe, as Premium service, no need to work DX Exped at all, QSO would be entered in LOG automatically, and VIP QSL send, plus LoTW confirmation and eQSL as free Bonus I promise, will not call such Expedition ever, and I will not be angry and make DQRM for sure... I also promise, I will not charge for any QSO with E74AW, or QSL , except usual practice, and will work as good DX Operating practice demand, mean, will not wait for daylight in NA, to call NA, and will not call EU in my SR when is time to work NA, or will not work EU when is JA SR etc... Its just my humble opinion, I do not ask anyone to agree or disagree with me... And Im not angry to anyone, ... gl to all who think this kind of HAM radio should be 73 dado E74AW -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Larry Sent: Friday, 06 February, 2015 04:28 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers Someone did a more extensive analysis of several DXpeditions maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Basically the same conclusion. Typically NA puts up the largest percentage of the funds but doesn't get that percentage in Q's. I forget which group it was posted in. 73, Larry W6NWS -Original Message- From: Garry Shapiro Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 8:43 PM To: mailto:topband@contesting.com topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers It appears to be the case that NA finances the big trips and EU gets the Q's. That needs to be ironed out. Garry On 2/5/2015 11:32 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On Thu,2/5/2015 8:29 AM, Fortra wrote: jeez those numbers are worrying. So are the numbers for contributions to the cost of DX trips that have gotten increasingly expensive. The only way to get on the island is via a helicopter, and they have had to make many trips. Some of my friends go on these trips (three are on Navassa), and all of them complain that while EU hams are very demanding, they don't do much to contribute to the cost. Take a look at the News tab on this link, then the Our Sponsors tab, noting the breakdown by continent for contributions from Clubs and individual hams. http://www.navassadx.com/ http://www.navassadx.com/ All of that notwithstanding, some of the key players on this expedition were also part of FT5ZM, which did a spectacular job of filling logs everywhere, taking advantage of propagation and great station engineering. AA7JV and HA7RY are part of this trip. Their topband record is excellent. And they're not the only guys who know how to work topband. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers
It appears to be the case that NA finances the big trips and EU gets the Q's. That needs to be ironed out. Garry On 2/5/2015 11:32 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On Thu,2/5/2015 8:29 AM, Fortra wrote: jeez those numbers are worrying. So are the numbers for contributions to the cost of DX trips that have gotten increasingly expensive. The only way to get on the island is via a helicopter, and they have had to make many trips. Some of my friends go on these trips (three are on Navassa), and all of them complain that while EU hams are very demanding, they don't do much to contribute to the cost. Take a look at the News tab on this link, then the Our Sponsors tab, noting the breakdown by continent for contributions from Clubs and individual hams. http://www.navassadx.com/ All of that notwithstanding, some of the key players on this expedition were also part of FT5ZM, which did a spectacular job of filling logs everywhere, taking advantage of propagation and great station engineering. AA7JV and HA7RY are part of this trip. Their topband record is excellent. And they're not the only guys who know how to work topband. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: 160 Worked All States
N6TR and K7RAT --both are Tree-- reside in Boring, Oregon. Garry On 1/9/2015 11:46 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On Fri,1/9/2015 11:32 AM, KE1F Lou wrote: KE1F need one more state, WASHINGTON. Any top bander in Washington and using LOTW? N6TR and K7RAT are active in contests, and have great ears. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: WATCH OUT !!Did you get a new cable modem from Comcast? Arris Modem equal lots of QRM
What is the model number of the offending modem? Garry, NI6T On 10/23/2014 3:33 PM, JC wrote: Hi guys I would like to share with you what NX4D just found out. Doug has experiencing a strong noise on top band for almost a year. He did try to find it everywhere, disconnected all appliances in the house and the noise was still roaring. For some coincidence Dug removed the cable from the modem and the noise quit. The issue is that the Arris modem has an internal battery to work without AC power and when you remove it from the AC line the modem is still generating noise and you can come up into a conclusion the modem is clean. It is not, actually there are several reports of RFI going on for several years and FCC is doing nothing to stop it. Here another source of information about that modem http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Voice-Service-and-Equipment/RFI-Caused-by-Arris -Modem/td-p/548591 Doug also found many complaints about Cisco Modems too, especially the switching supply wall warts. So watch out is you have Comcast cable modem, it is necessary to choke the cable and the AC cord with FT240 # 31. With this fix ,the noise dropped from s8 to s0 but still audible at Doug receiver. Regards JC N4IS _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: FT5ZM
I just worked him at 1455. He popped up to copiable and a minute later was in the log. I am a happy boy. Still there, still not loud but easy copy. Garry On 2/4/2014 6:55 AM, Milt -- N5IA wrote: Good morning Garry, Well, all the tea leaves lined up here this AM. He was first discernable at 1348. Heard a good CQ call sign at :50. I started calling at :52. I made it into his log, on the hour, at 1400. He was wall to wall speaker quality for 10 minutes. He faded out at 1425, a full 10 minutes after my sunrise. His signal was audible here in SW NM, DM52lq for a total of 37 minutes. And this morning's op was NOT interleaving VK stations with NA. So the note to the pilot may have helped on that account. Good luck with your situation. 73 de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Garry Shapiro Sent: Monday, February 03, 2014 9:56 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: FT5ZM The west coast depends upon the morning bump and the only window is between their sunset around 14Z and our sunrise around 1515 and shrinking; the actual sunrise bump is, of course, short. Some areas east of the Sierra in the Mountain time zone apparently have no mutual darkness and therefore no opening at all, similar to what happened at VK0IR in 1997. Many west coast stations made good topband Q's over the weekend. Alas, I was plagued with a powerline arc exactly in line with Amsterdam SP and a deer took out my NW/SE Beverage. Now we are about to be clobbered by a CME--the high SFI of the past week heralded its arrival and I join those who are SOL. The prop gods are chortling. Garry, NI6T On 2/3/2014 6:45 PM, Les Kalmus wrote: They were on top band tonight but really weak at best. I heard them better on the inverted L than the beverage which is really weird. They didn't start calling until around 2330Z. The ditter was a pita. 73, Les W2LK On 2/3/2014 6:33 PM, Gary Smith wrote: Well, it's academic for tonight because the only signals on frequency I've heard all night were the buzzards throwing out carriers the occasional dits so to let us know they're there, waiting. Band condx or local issues there keeping them off 160 it seems. Gary, KA1J Gary, I know I worked them on 40 SSB last night, and I do not appear in the log. So, I checked about a dozen other guys in the spots for 40 SSB last night who supposedly worked them after I did. None of them appear in the log either. Methinks there are some bands missing in today's upload! 73, Tony K4QE On Mon, Feb 3, 2014 at 5:18 PM, Gary Smith g...@ka1j.com wrote: Rats, back in the chase, must have been a slim. Just checked clublogs FT5ZM log and the 160M Q didn't show up but my 17M contact an hour a half later did. I know I heard them come back to me so it must have been a slim but geez with the signals like they were, it sure sounded like their signal. Ugh... Gary KA1J Fingers crossed it wasn't a slim I worked. The signals were in out but for 4-5 minutes I could hear them clearly. Time'll tell. If I did get him it was greatly because the kiddies weren't playing so hard today. 73, Gary KA1J --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3684/7058 - Release Date: 02/03/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3684/7058 - Release Date: 02/03/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: FT5ZM confusion this morning
Damn--fooled me coming and going. I came late to the party and could not figure out why he was not where he might have been. But I did the same reversal on Kure in '95. On 2/2/2014 6:52 AM, Merv Schweigert wrote: Yes he did not have the split button pushed for about 10 mins or so. He was cqing on 22.5 and saying dn 4 but was actually listening on 22.5 also..he found the mistake and moved to the normal 26.5 qsx dn 4.Good signal and still cqing as of 1500Z. not many callers at all, slow deep qsb.. 73 Merv K9FD/KH6 woke up late this morning, about 15 minutes before SR. quickly checked 1826.5 for FT5ZM but nothing heard. JA5BIN was calling CQ on 21.5 and gave Hiro a quick call. he told me that FT5ZM was on 1822.65. i listened there and they were loud, around 589 announcing that they were listening down 4. next thing that i heard was a big pile up on 22.6 calling the FT5. did he change to his normal frequency realizing his mistake? never heard the FT5 again as SR approached, either on 22.6 or 26.5 but be assured that my original cluster spot was correct. good luck. 73 larry n7dd _ 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: Coax rodent protection
My squirrels were gnawing the top rail of my redwood deck and where they urinated it bleached the wood. I chose a more final solution--an efficient killer trap from Forest Supply, ordered on the internet. 1 jar of cheap peanut butter will provide bait for probably 100 squirrels. Those (#($((%) squirrels --eastern Grays, which are an invasive species here in CA--are very aggressive and push out the native squirrels, After 20 years of no problems, they chewed up my rotator loops on my treetop array, which eventually caused me to replace everything, at enormous cost. I have no empathy or sympathy for them. The deer mostly break my Beverages. Garry, NI6T On 11/12/2013 6:13 PM, Gary Smith wrote: My primary vermin are deer and the YL had issues with squirrels digging up her plants on the deck. She helps out at a Nursery and they sell fox Coyote urine. A little vial of the stuff lasts a long time and one tube of the Fox version the squirrels vacated the deck. Made her happy so I bought the Coyote put a couple vials around the HI-Z triangle another around my remote coax switch box/radial plate antenna jumpers. So far no issues and I haven't seen any of those !@#$ deer in the back yard since I started doing this. They sell Fox, Coyote, Wolf Mountain Lion. http://www.legupenterprises.com/ Gary KA1J --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Coax rodent protection
Too high a population density here for casual plinking--might hurt someone. Besides, I am a lousy shot. On 11/12/2013 8:03 PM, Charlie Cunningham wrote: A .22 with 'scope mounted on it works pretty well on squirrels. The scope helps a lot if you're old like me, and have gotten to be too farsighted to get a decent sight-picture with iron sights. Lots of folks don't appreciate how destructive those little tree rats can be! Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Garry Shapiro Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 10:02 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Coax rodent protection My squirrels were gnawing the top rail of my redwood deck and where they urinated it bleached the wood. I chose a more final solution--an efficient killer trap from Forest Supply, ordered on the internet. 1 jar of cheap peanut butter will provide bait for probably 100 squirrels. Those (#($((%) squirrels --eastern Grays, which are an invasive species here in CA--are very aggressive and push out the native squirrels, After 20 years of no problems, they chewed up my rotator loops on my treetop array, which eventually caused me to replace everything, at enormous cost. I have no empathy or sympathy for them. The deer mostly break my Beverages. Garry, NI6T On 11/12/2013 6:13 PM, Gary Smith wrote: My primary vermin are deer and the YL had issues with squirrels digging up her plants on the deck. She helps out at a Nursery and they sell fox Coyote urine. A little vial of the stuff lasts a long time and one tube of the Fox version the squirrels vacated the deck. Made her happy so I bought the Coyote put a couple vials around the HI-Z triangle another around my remote coax switch box/radial plate antenna jumpers. So far no issues and I haven't seen any of those !@#$ deer in the back yard since I started doing this. They sell Fox, Coyote, Wolf Mountain Lion. http://www.legupenterprises.com/ Gary KA1J --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Wall warts
This thread is a perfect indicator that 160 propagation currently sucks. Threads like these are like the RTTY diddle--a signal that carries no new information. Not that I don't like single-malt... Garry, NI6T On 5/8/2013 9:00 AM, Keith Jillings (G3OIT) wrote: On 08/05/2013 15:40, John Harden, D.M.D. wrote: I am not offended at all relative to the fine whiskey deal. I hate to say this, but whiskey is Irish or US. The real water of life, from Scotland, is whisky. I love the subtle flavours of the many varieties, from the smooth gentle Speyside stuff and the Northern Islands such as Highland Park, to the peaty throat-grabbers such as Laphroaig. There's always one beside me when I'm operating. Maybe that's the problem! Keith All good topband ops know how to put up a beverage at night. _ Topband Reflector All good topband ops know how to put up a beverage at night. _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: PT0S QSL
Those of us who supported the expedition before it embarked for the Rocks had real QSL's rather soon after the expedition. (I contributed as soon as I learned George and Tomi were major participants.) Garry, NI6T On 5/2/2013 8:31 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On 5/2/2013 5:34 AM, cris blak wrote: After one year, here it its. I receive the QSL from PT0S. Thanks to all DXpedition members who made this possible. Those of us on LOTW had confirmations before they left the island, often the same day as the QSO! 73, Jim K9YC All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector . All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage. _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: RI1ANF
George, VP8CTR was very available in 1997/98. QTH was Vernadsky Base on Galindez Island, AN-006. The operator was the much-traveled Roman Bratchik, UX1KA, EM1KA, EM1U, UA1OT, 4K2OT, XY0RR, 3W/4K2OT. Garry, NI6T On 6/6/2012 7:36 PM, George wrote: Antarctic Continent is a bit difficult these days. I have a few contacts in the 80s - 90's, but pretty skimpy from year 2K. I did work VP8CTR in Feb 1998 but didn't note the QTH. I never sent for the card. Any ideas on the QTH? 73 George W8UVZ I'm pretty sure DP1POL was active on TB in 2010. I worked him on 80, 40 and 30m and seem to remember he had 100w on TB? Jeff W7JW -Original Message- From: Herb Schoenbohm Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 4:55 PM To: g...@ka1j.com Cc: Topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: RI1ANF You have me excited for a moment as I need Antarctica on 160. I have already worked South Orkney, South Shetland, Falklands, Bouvet and Peter I on TB but for some reason Antarctica has just not been there for me even though there are always active hams there. Maybe I worked some other operation there years ago but never entered the call as a new onebut there must be some operation on TB from Antarcticalike I mean just tie some insulated wire on a snow cat and lay it on the snow. Drive north for a half a mile.and put in a 600 ohm non inductive resistor and drive another 135 feet for a Beverage self termination without a ground connection and you should be able to hear everything that comes on the band from NA during the long periods of darkness when they go into real winter. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ 5/31/2012 12:18 PM, Gary Smith wrote: Thanks to some off list replies My logging program (which means me as well) is apparently incorrect and this is a south shetland Q. Though I liked the idea of it being Antarctica as my father as a young ham made contact with Byrds expedition. However, I also need South Shetlands on TB so I'm still most happy. Thank you for the correction! Gary KA1J What a surprise to hear Antarctica last night. Apparently the band has some nice unexpected gems to be found on it here in Connecticut. Gary KA1J ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160 meter DXing
Bruce, A few points re frequency cops * One guy sending up once is not a problem. The problem is that this does not occur reliably, and acts as a trigger. * If no one tells callers up--a highly unlikely event in this contentious DX milieu--the erring operator continues to annoy for a while, but eventually realizes his error. The longer he goes on before realizing his error, the more chastened and self-conscious he is likely to be for a while. I have erred like everyone else, and I find that to be true. One guy sending his call on the wrong QRG is more tolerable than five guys insulting him and each other. * Transmitting on the DX frequency--whether well-intentioned or not--further QRM's the DX, excites others to respond aggressively, and quickly leads to chaos and name-calling. Frequently the erring station and the would-be white knight(s) double each other, exacerbating the situation. * We all know that challenging a deliberate QRMer quickly spirals out of control. IMHO, better to grind your teeth and refrain from adding to the problem by deluding yourself that you are solving it by intervening. There is a great old saying, attributed, I think, to Will Rogers: Never miss a good opportunity to shut up. Garry, NI6T On 5/8/2012 5:32 PM, Bruce wrote: Then there are the Frequency policemen that we dislike, but if on one tells callers up, how deep would callers be on the DX station frequency? If everyone gets along, remembering that it's a hobby, then we are OK 73 Bruce-K1FZ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Home Depot LED bulb interference.
It is quite possible that the products--while claimed to meet Part 15--actually do not, either on some lots or all of them. The real question is whether anyone checks after the original determination. Garry, NI6T On 4/5/2012 6:07 PM, Jim F. wrote: Hi George, I first noticed the problem as a hiss on my favorite FM radio station. Tod, K0TO had a very good thought, that it may be the dimmable feature. To answer your question George, : Yes... Marked Clearly on the box. I am wondering the if the LED bulbs bought from Home Depot meet FCC Part 15 specs. Were they marked so? George, AA7JV jim / W1FMR --- On Thu, 4/5/12, GeorgeWallneraa...@atlanticbb.net wrote: From: GeorgeWallneraa...@atlanticbb.net Subject: Re: Topband: Home Depot LED bulb interference. To: TOPBANDTOPBAND@CONTESTING.COM Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012, 7:10 PM On Thu, 5 Apr 2012 16:01:12 -0400 Mike Greenwayk...@bellsouth.net wrote: I wondered how long it would take before they started selling some RFI generating lighting. Soon we can have a complete neighborhood of RFI I have tested compact fluorescent bulbs a couple of years ago and found that they were noisy. I have not tried to quantify the level of noise emitted, but it was about S5 on my K3 at a distance of about 4 feet using a one foot wire for antenna. I have stayed with incandescent, but my neighbor has installed over 50 of them on his house. The noise coming from that direction (NW) is significantly stronger than what I get from any other direction. Since he has installed the CF (and many LED) bulbs, I have not made one JA QSO! Fortunately, my DHDL, which looks towards EU (NE) completely blocks the noise and I am still able to work Europe. On the other hand, I have LED lights installed on my dock, which is only about 20 feet to the East of the RX antenna, but these LED lights are driven by well filtered drivers in metal boxes. No noise from these lights can be detected. It seems to me that we have a very serious threat from noisy switched light sources (and other digital noise generators, like Variable Frequency Drives) that have not been properly filtered. I am wondering the if the LED bulbs bought from Home Depot meet FCC Part 15 specs. Were they marked so? George, AA7JV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: How Good is Good Enough?
My experience with canid (coyote and wolf) urines suggests that if canids are not the local predator of interest--coyotes in England?--it may not work. Garry, NI6T On 3/12/2012 6:15 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: Two words - coyote urine. Seriously the local Southern States sells a critter repellent based on dried coyote urine. In our case, the biggest critter problem with my BOG so far has been deer - tangle-footed beasts! 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 3/12/2012 9:11 AM, Tracey Gardner wrote: I'd be interested to know what critter/rodent damage these BOGs get? My experience, in the UK, of leaving the last 60m of my Beverage lying on the ground for a few days, is that the insulation got chewed through in seven places. I would be interested in trying a BOG but I have a feeling that it wouldn't last long here. 73s Tracey G5VU ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Fw: Deterring Critters was:Re: How Good is Good Enough?
The common wisdom passed to me is that they don't like PE as well as they like PVC. However, all my PE-jacketed coax rotator loops 130' up on a redwood tree were munched to oblivion in the past year. They are being held together with Scotch 33 until I can pull everything down this Spring. And Press of The Wireman told me the varmints like PE only slightly less than they like PVC. We are supposedly looking into armoring the coax with SS braid! Most coatings wash off in the rains. I have no idea what the ultimate solution might be. Garry, NI6T On 3/12/2012 6:21 PM, Bruce wrote: Speaking of tongue in cheek, I'll bite. Has anyone found a wire covering that the critters do not like to lunch on, or are they using it for dental floss ? 73 Bruce - Original Message - From: Pete Smith N4ZRn...@contesting.com To:topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, March 12, 2012 2:31 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Deterring Critters was:Re: How Good is Good Enough? F'heaven's sake, Garry, I meant naive about how widely they range in the East, and it was all tongue in cheek, from beginning to end. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 3/12/2012 4:31 PM, Garry Shapiro wrote: Westerners naive about coyotes? That is an interesting concept. DC and NYC are within the natural range of coyotes, but I have serious doubts about England. Coyote urine may work, but it did not keep my feedlines from being chewed by (eastern) Grey Squirrels that have displaced the native brown units. Garry, NI6T On 3/12/2012 1:01 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: Man, you Westerners are naive! We even have coyotes in downtown Washington and New York City. Ratty looking, but out there hunting. Anyhow, the general idea is pick something the the wee beasties don't like, and lay it on! 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 3/12/2012 3:57 PM, Garry Shapiro wrote: My experience with canid (coyote and wolf) urines suggests that if canids are not the local predator of interest--coyotes in England?--it may not work. Garry, NI6T On 3/12/2012 6:15 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: Two words - coyote urine. Seriously the local Southern States sells a critter repellent based on dried coyote urine. In our case, the biggest critter problem with my BOG so far has been deer - tangle-footed beasts! 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 3/12/2012 9:11 AM, Tracey Gardner wrote: I'd be interested to know what critter/rodent damage these BOGs get? My experience, in the UK, of leaving the last 60m of my Beverage lying on the ground for a few days, is that the insulation got chewed through in seven places. I would be interested in trying a BOG but I have a feeling that it wouldn't last long here. 73s Tracey G5VU ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 49 contest stations caught on tape this AM
Tod, Your reference below to NI6T should be to NI5T. I was never happy about their callsign choice for their contest station, for obvious reasons, and your observation merely serves to maximize my discomfort. I was not QRV in this contest. Garry, NI6T On 2/26/2012 9:15 AM, Tod Olson wrote: Barry: I found your tape fascinating. I am very envious of the low noise level that was recorded - - beverages must make a difference. :) Although I heard, from my Idaho QTH, some of the same signals you recorded, the signal levels were considerably different. KG7H, WA7LT, W6YI were noticeably louder for me. Even AB5M was louder. NI6T seems to be missing from your tape although they were active and loud every time I was operating. The big signals on your tape seem to be from stations that are less than 700 miles from you. The DX stations simply did not exist - at least for me while I was listening. [I was sleeping at 4:00 AM MST1100 UTC] I managed to hear and work a couple of FL stations, one ME station, and one VA station. Only the ME station was comfortably above the noise level. This year most of the East Coast stations simply did not seem to be on the air. [I am sure that they were on the air but I just could not hear them]. While it seemed I could fairly easily work stations within 700 miles of my QTH, there simply aren't enough of them. Most of the stations I was able to work by calling CQ had signals that required a great deal of concentration. All in all I found this to be one of the more challenging years for this contest. It simply seemed as though the propagation was insufficient to overcome the listening challenges of my station on 160m. In other years this has not been the case. In fact, it was not the case for the ARRL 160 and the CQWW CW 160 earlier in this contest season. The conditions served to make one appreciate good propagation. And your tape, during what I deem to be a poor propagation period, shows how a really good station can overcome some of the poor propagation effects. Thanks again for making it available. 73, Tod, K0TO On 2/26/12 6:49 AM, Barry N1EUbarry.n...@gmail.com wrote: I had the tape running this morning around 1100Z as I scanned the band and I caught 49 stations, and I posted the sound clip to http://n1eu.com/mp3/cq160ssb26Feb12_1100Z.mp3 That's what it sounded like in Albany NY on my Orion and Beverage antenna. Unfortunately the stereo diversity was lost in the recording (my bad). Below is the list of stations in order: W0AIH N4HB WW8OH ND8DX K4WW N2EOC WA7LT W8CO NT8Z AB5MM C6ANM W0MR KK1KW NF8J WD5COV N2CW WB9Z VE3MIS N3RR K2GE W8GP W6YI KG7H N9UY W2ID K3STX W2MF W8XXX W5PR AK5DX W3TS AB2DE ZF2AM WA4ZXV N3HBX K1AR W3KL W1XX K1LZ K8PO CO2GG VE3DC WJ2D K9NW N4BCC W0MR KA1IOR AB5MM N2EOC 73, Barry N1EU ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: T32C with QRP
Human nature: the definition for most of us of a great DXpedition is one that you just worked. On 10/3/2011 6:41 AM, N7DF wrote: This morning T32C was 25 over 9 on1815 and I tried QRP with 1 watt. He came right back to my call and said I was a real 599 so I dropped my power to a measured 50 milliwatts output and he was able to get about 30% copy. This was with my Collins folded cage monopole through 450 feet of RG213. Looks like the band is opening. That has to be one of the best DXpeditions in recent history. Excellent signals on all bands and top flight operators. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Topband Most-Wanted Suirvey
This is a reminder to presumably the most-dedicated of topband DXers---those on this list--- that there is an active new Topband Most-Wanted Survey that needs the participation of all serious topband DX-chasers. The survey is at _TopBand2011.hamdocs.com_. All 340 current DXCC counters are listed; all that is required is to check the ones you consider as needed. Normally this means you have either not worked or not confirmed the counter on 160m. So far, the heaviest response --unsurprisingly-- has been from North America, with Europe a distant second. We need more participation to ensure that the survey will accurately reflect the needs of all serious and not-so-serious topband DXers. Therefore, submissions from EU and JA, as well as SA and VK/ZL are specifically solicited. Also, if you know of lists/sites in EU/JA/VK/ZL that are relevant, please send them along to me, or forward this email to them. With the close of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, completing this survey just might have a positive effect on your DXCC totals for next season. If you have not yet submitted, please go to _TopBand2011.hamdocs.com_ at your earliest convenience. Right now would be optimal. And repeat announcements in the relevant newsletters and topband-specific sites would also be helpful. End of drum-beating--for now. Results will be published in late summer. 73 Garry, NI6T ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK