Re: Topband: Electric Fence Post Insulators for FCP
I think so. If strength is a concern pick up some Lexan from Tap Plastics From: Jim F. [mailto:j_fit...@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 3:14 PM To: Gregg Marco W6IZT Cc: top Band Subject: Re: Topband: Electric Fence Post Insulators for FCP Greg, That idea is so cool ! Do you think that the dogbone insulator is strong enough if the wire end of the insulator was slotted on top so that the FCP wire could be dropped into, instead of threaded through the hole ? The FCP in my case will be on common property and may have to come down now and then :-)) jim / W1FMR --- On Tue, 8/14/12, Gregg Marco W6IZT w6i...@bellsouth.net wrote: From: Gregg Marco W6IZT w6i...@bellsouth.net Subject: Re: Topband: Electric Fence Post Insulators for FCP To: topband@contesting.com Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 1:37 PM I use a plastic dog bone insulator. I use a bolt that has a machine screw thread on one end and a wood screw thread on the other (available at HD). I drill the end of the dog bone to accept the machine thread and thread the wood screw into a post, tree or whatever. I have not had a single failure in over 10 years Gregg W6IZT -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=topband-boun...@contesting.co m [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=topband-boun...@contesting.co m ] On Behalf Of savag...@aol.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=savag...@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 8:22 AM To: w0...@nc.rr.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=w0...@nc.rr.com ; j_fit...@yahoo.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=j_fit...@yahoo.com ; topband@contesting.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=topband@contesting.com ; richardstas...@gmail.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=richardstas...@gmail.com Cc: olin...@bellsouth.net http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=olin...@bellsouth.net Subject: Re: Topband: Electric Fence Post Insulators for FCP I have used the plastic ones and still do on my beverage antennas. However, I find that squirrels like to chew the ends off. They are good for one or two yrs. Bruce AA4Z In a message dated 8/13/2012 22:57:59 Eastern Daylight Time, w0...@nc.rr.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=w0...@nc.rr.com writes: Electric Fence Post Insulators do work but... Check every so often, as trees grow the plastic insulators pop off the nails. This has happened to me three times in the past three years. Not every one of them but this year four popped. Two of them were on adjacent trees and allowed my double FCP wires to twist together and short. 73, Jack Hi Rick, My FCP will be in the woods in trees with the 2 element leg visible and the 3 element side in the trees to keep down visibility. I will try these electric fence insulators mounted in trees. They allow the FCP to be lifted and removed because of an open slot in the top of the insulator. That is my plan anyway. The insulators are not ceramic but some kind of plastic but since I will be using low power hope that will not be a problem. Maybe you could hang your FCP in such a way as to move it around and experiment to see which way works out best for your lot. I don't know how these details will come out on the list but if anyone wants them email me. Drill Tool for Screw in Insulators Electric Fence ( 310118402943 ) Paid on Aug-01-12 $6.00 $13.27 1 $6.00 Shipped on Aug-01-12 UPS Ground Estimated delivery: Varies* You can contact seller for more information. Tracking: 494606115045964 Wood Post Screw in Ring Insulator Black Electric Fence ( 310261584779 ) Paid on Aug-01-12 $6.00 $10.18 1 $6.00 Shipped on Aug-01-12 UPS Ground Estimated delivery: Varies* You can contact seller for more information. Tracking: 494606115045964 Wood Post 9 Screwin Ring Insulator Rope Electric Fence ( 400164002002 ) jim / W1FMR Paid on Aug-01-12 $7.00 $10.64 1 $7.00 Shipped on Aug-01-12 UPS Ground Estimated delivery: Varies* You can contact seller for more information. Tracking: 494606115045964 --- On Sat, 8/11/12, Rick ve3mm richardstas...@gmail.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=richardstas...@gmail.com wrote: From: Rick ve3mm richardstas...@gmail.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=richardstas...@gmail.com Subject: Topband: 160 M FCP Alternatives - Comments Invited To: topband@contesting.com http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=topband@contesting.com Date: Saturday, August 11, 2012, 9:46 AM Hello I am planning a 160 M FCP and inverted L installation for the upcoming winter season. The space available for both the inverted L and FCP are limited and I have to make the installation neat
Re: Topband: Progress with ugly computer noise
So much for part 15. -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill Wichers Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2012 6:34 PM To: k...@bellsouth.net; TOPBAND@CONTESTING.COM Subject: Re: Topband: Progress with ugly computer noise A lot, probably most, of the really cheap UPSes are just switching step-up converters. The easy way to spot them is from the crazy ratings like 1000va but only 3 amps (which should be about 360va). They sell them based on people thinking bigger is better even though a .36 power factor is pretty useless. I used to always think apc's .7 was misleading... The big commercial units are .8-.9. I've personally always had good luck with the apc smartUPS line for small upses. They are sinewave output (and surprisingly good when checked w/ a scope), and pretty clean due primarily to their pseudo-ferroresonant design. I'd stay away from the backUPS line though since those aren't much different from the el-cheapo units. Note that supposedly bad smartUPS upses can be found for cheap at swaps and on ebay. Almost always all that is needed is a new set of batteries to get them running again. -Bill [Sent using Blackberry Messaging] - Original Message - From: topband-boun...@contesting.com topband-boun...@contesting.com To: TOPBAND TOPBAND@CONTESTING.COM Sent: Wed Jul 04 18:14:07 2012 Subject: Topband: Progress with ugly computer noise Be careful with UPS units as I have seen them cause more problems noise wise that computers. A friend of mine had a really bad one he had to unplug to operate on any band. Everything was clean once he got rid of that thing.. 73 Mike K4PI ___ 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: RX Antenna advice
I use a 450 ft terminated beverage that follows the terrain and slopes downhill by about 50 ft. Seems to work well, but I have nothing to compare it too. 73 Gregg W6IZT -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 11:35 AM To: ct1...@sapo.pt Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: RX Antenna advice Beverage antenna running up the mountain to intended direction does not inspire confidence for some number of reasons. What kind of soil is underneath it? Pennant, K9AY, or an array of same, something that rejects back and side, and hears high angle well would seem better suited. Maybe Waller Flag? 73, Guy. On Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 9:41 AM, ct1...@sapo.pt wrote: Hi everyone, This past weekend I made a few CQs on 160m in the CQ 160 Contest and while talking to my friend Braco E77DX he told me that I was not hearing well, I had huge pile up coming from Europe but I could not hear a single soul calling. I tried all the antennas available (110m beverage to 10º, 130m beverage to 45º/225º not terminated) and even with the TX antennas (T Vertical and Dipole) I could not hear anyone, the maximum signal I got was with the W6 Beverage (170m). I conclude that somehow my RX antennas are not working properly towards Europe, could it be that the beverages to europe doesnt work well running up the mountain? West Beverage work very well but the terrain is either sloping to USA or flat. My question is weather should I give a try on another type of RX antenna just for Europe / ASIA? G3XGC Coaxial Loop ? pennant? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks Filipe Lopes CT1ILT aka CR6K ___ 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: HK0NA
Eddie: I am certain that there are many more stations that need to work HK0NA on 160. OP B, the current camp that is on the air is blocked to NA by high terrain. The strongest signals are from the east coast VA and north. Many stations to the west of the Mississippi are having a real though time working OP B on TB. Weather permitting we hope to have the first stations from OP A on the air this Saturday or Sunday. OP A is located on top of one of the peaks on the island and has a unobstructed 360 degree view. Gregg W6IZT Co-Leader HK0NA 2012 DXpedition. -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Eddy Swynar Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 8:10 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: HK0NA Good Morning All, A very nice surprise here this morning...I was calling a general CQ below 1820-KHz, who should answer me outta the blue but HK0NA himself! I guess the days of our hearing the North American bedlam of callers on 1811-KHz are pretty much history, as the vast majority of DX'ers on this side of the pond have them (apparently) in their logs...still, I never would have expected things to slow down SO much that the HK0 gang had to resort to SP'ing to make QSOs! Hi Hi. I wish getting new ones for DXCC was ALWAYS that easy! Thanks, guys... ~73!~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: HK0NA Malpelo 2012 Topband update
I thought I would take a moment to update the 160 meter community on our Topband plans for the upcoming HK0NA 2012 DXpedition to Malpelo. We have kept the DX community at large up to date through the normal news outlets. However this update is more specific to our 160 meter operating plans. We will have 2 operating locations. Both locations will have 160 meters capabilities and legal limit amplifiers. The distance between the two operating locations is approximately 300 meters and the difference in elevation is almost 200 meters! Two operating locations are a necessity to provide a low take off angles in all directions. The camp lower in elevation OP B, or Baja will be our main camp and is located adjacent to the military facilities. OP A, or Alto will be located very close to the top of the highest point on Malpelo. The antennas for OP A will be located on top of the highest peak. The personnel operating from OP A will have to make a very difficult and dangerous 200m vertical climb on a daily basis to man the stations. OP B will be the primary 160m station for the eastern US, Europe, South America, and Africa. OP A will be the primary operating location for the western US, JA/Asia, and VK/ZL. Our current antenna plans call for an Inv L for 160 at OP B, with Pennants for receive, and for OP A an Inverted V broadside to the US and JA for 160 and Pennants for receive. At 300 meters above the sea we are confident that the efforts to establish this operating location and antenna selection will result in an outstanding signal on 160 to those areas of the world that have been most challenged to work Malpelo in the past. Establishing an operating location from OP A comes at a considerable expense. We have expanded an already strong team with the addition of several experienced DXpeditioners to man the increased number of stations. (from 6 to 10). This has also enabled us to extend our stay on the island. We are making every effort to minimize the risk in transit for OP B to OP A through the extensive use of safety equipment wherever possible. Fortunately we have a commitment from the Columbian Military and the crew of our transportation vessel to assist with transporting equipment, fuel and water to the OP A site. An advance team of operators from Columbia are leaving for the island on Christmas day to begin the efforts of establishing the camp infrastructure, and setting up the antennas. One of our goals is to drop Malpelo out of the top 100 on the DXCC most wanted list from the current spot of #11 worldwide. Operations of this magnitude are expensive. This one in particular also comes with a significant element of risk. The operators are bearing the majority of the expenses. But without support from equipment sponsors, major DX organizations, clubs, and individuals this trip would not be possible. Contributions are still needed and very welcomed. Please visit our website at www.HK0NA.com and click on how can I help.. Lastly, we have a tremendous group of equipment and DX organization sponsors, please support them whenever possible. 73s, Happy Holidays, and hopes that we are in your log on 160! Gregg W6IZT Co-leader ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
