Re: Topband: EIRP Measurement
On 2/21/2012 8:26 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: On Mon, 2012-02-20 at 19:04 -0700, Tod - ID wrote: The important thing is to have a way to assure that when someone measured the same field at the same point with the same type of measurement device they would get the same measurement result. That would allow us to compare measurements between different people even if we did not know the absolute field strength value. I think simple, repeatable and accurate are a difficult triad. What you are talking about is an accurate Field Intensity Meter (FIM) and getting stable calibrations with home constructed equipment is not going to be easy - let along easy to duplicate. The closest solution is to use standard antennas (not simple whips) and calibrate them against broadcast signals at known locations and known field strengths. This will still require separate antennas for 160 and 630 meters and separate calibration sources on the appropriate ends of the standard broadcast band (due to the antennas). 73, ... Joe, W4TV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK It's been many years since I have had to make any AM broadcast field measurements. I don't recall if the Potomac Instruments, or other, FIMs go much below 550kHz. 73, -- Jack, W6NF Silver Springs, NV DM09ji ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Vertical vs yagi
On 2/14/2012 10:32 AM, Josep Torres wrote: Hi all, I would like to hear from people that have tried or compared a 2-3 element vertical array vs a 2 element yagi for 40m. I don't have a yagi, but I can maybe put a 2(3) element vertical array. At moment, I only have a 1/4wvl dipole at 14m high. I want to improve my setup for that band. Sorry for the post because this is much devoted to 160, but I know many guys here have tested many antenna configurations, so maybe I can have a response. Thanks very much.. Josep EA6BF ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK Hi, Josep: Given the simplicity and minimal expense, the 2 element vertical performs well. Before being able to afford the Comtek 4-square phasing system last year I had a 2-element 40-meter array up and in use for about 5 years. It was a simple system using coax phasing lines (Christman feed, if I recall correctly) and, even in light of some of the negative comments about this system, it worked very well for me. In my location (northern Nevada) the most useful aspect of the antenna, with the elements oriented at 75/255 degrees, was the ability to substantially null east coast QRM when working DX from The Pacific and Asia. My null, based on repeated observations, was, at a *minimum*, 20db. I don't believe you'll do that with a 2-element yagi! I have 40 quarter-wave radials, on the ground with poor soil, and that likely contributes to performance. The elements were (and still are) 1-3/4-inch diameter aluminum camouflage support tubes which are readily available in my area. They are easy to erect and are guyed, four ways, with light Dacron line at the 28-foot level. I did consider adding a third, in-line, element but it's just one of those things I never got around to and by the time I retired I had the 4-square in place. In retrospect it may have been a better idea to do the third element at a right-angle to the 2-element array to allow 4 directions with 3 elements. The coax phasing system is still useful with one vertical common and the unused vertical simply switched and floating to isolate it from the active elements. Good luck! -- Jack, W6NF Silver Springs, NV DM09ji ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Proper Decorum On The Gentleman's Band...
On 2/10/2012 8:50 AM, ZR wrote: Ive seen a few that use copper tubing wrapped around a 55 gallon plastic drum and a 30-40' vertical element! Im running a top loaded T supported off the side of the 180' tower and elevated radials. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Jack/W6NF vhfp...@gmail.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 11:28 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Proper Decorum On The Gentleman's Band... On 2/10/2012 8:04 AM, James Rodenkirch wrote: Can only imagine how big the loading coil for my 40' vertical would need to be for 500 kHz operations. Hi Hi From: t...@kkn.net Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:02:01 -0800 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Proper Decorum On The Gentleman's Band... On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 7:59 AM, chacuffchac...@cableone.net wrote: Or move to the new Topband500Khz Exactly. For those that missed it - there is more here: http://www.arrl.org/news/world-radiocommunication-conference-2012-begins-today-in-switzerland-will-consider-secondary-mf-amat Tree N6TR ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK But, then, at 5w EIRP I guess the playing field is level. You just have to work on your receive antenna! -- Jack, W6NF Silver Springs, NV DM09ji ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2112/4801 - Release Date: 02/10/12 You should see the loading coil used at the Fallon LORAN station! At least the diameter if a 55 gallon drum to match the 600-foot vertical. Quite impressive. -- Jack, W6NF Silver Springs, NV DM09ji ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: VP6T
On 2/2/2012 10:12 AM, GREG WILSON wrote: Yes -- but our friend may want the card for reasons other than a ARRL award (or CQ WPX). Maybe he would like a card for his wall. So if you know the answer to his question, I'm sure he would appreciate it. 73 de Greg-N4CC On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Jim Hogeknowk...@verizon.net wrote: Jim, Good point. Also, you don't have to jump through the extra hoops imposed by the ARRL to get a topband LotW qsl awarded to your DXCC standings. No conventions where an HQ staffer is present for card checking or no sending the card to HQ is necessary. Just submit an LotW application and it's a done deal. 73, Jim W5QM ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK My XYL, K7MKL, has had her Extra for less than a year and her General not much more than that. She is thrilled by the DX QSLs she's been able to acquire and wants to get one from every DXCC entity she works, regardless of LoTW confirmations. She is bewildered at the DX stations who refuse to confirm with paper, even with an SAE and IRC or green stamp(s). I am working on a display of QSLs for something in excess of 320 DXCC entities (not mine, unfortunately) and it is an amazing sight. It saddens me that so many new DXer's will never have the thrill of seeing anywhere near that number of cards on their walls. I guess there are those of us who have been around for 50+ years and just become callous. Some have even become curmudgeons :) 73, -- Jack, W6NF Shelley, K7MKL Silver Springs, NV DM09ji QSL via paper, eQSL and LoTW ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Topband QSL Library
On 1/10/2012 9:18 AM, Brian Moran wrote: Another method of displaying them is scanning and putting into a digital picture frame... Someone brought one in to our DX club meeting, and it was a real hit. -Brian N9ADG Just curious: How many medium quality QSL card scans will a typical digital picture frame support? I am in the process of making a display of QSLs from some 330 DXCC entities (not mine, unfortunately) and the digital picture frame would be a neat adjunct to the display! Thanks, -- Jack, W6NF Silver Springs, NV DM09ji ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
