Re: Topband: KH8 Demand on TB
Nick, This is not true at all. As I wrote in a previous mail I could copy the W8S exp on 160m for at least 45 minutes. I know they had high noise level so that was the problem. Sure propagation was much better some years ago during sun spot minima but it is very much wrong to say that there is no propagation at all to Europe. / Jim SM2EKM Den 2023-10-31 kl. 16:03, skrev uy0zg via Topband: In 2013, conditions were normal. Let's look at the log: https://clublog.org/charts/?c=W8A From normal Europe (zones 14, 15, 20) there are only two Finns in the magazine. There are no conditions today. Feed the crooks from zone 16? For what ? There is enough injustice as it is. --- Nick, UY0ZG http://www.topband.in.ua uy0zg via Topband писал 2023-10-31 16:28: Hi Conditions for Europe are completely absent. --- Nick, UY0ZG http://www.topband.in.ua _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: KH8 Demand on TB
KH8 is very much needed on 160. Pacific is always very difficult from way north in Europe. Even if it recently has been activated it hasn´t been possible to work it. Forexample the W8S exp (I know not KH8) was calling them for 45 minutes but since they had rotten receive due to local noise it was not possible. / Jim SM2EKM Den 2023-10-31 kl. 09:53, skrev GEORGE WALLNER: Hello TobBanders, I am in American Samoa (KH8) and will be in the Manua Islands, AH54 (OC-77), later this week. I may have a chance to set up a 160 m station and operate for a few days. How much wanted is KH8 on TB? ClubLog indicates that it is quite rare at #30 on 160 m, but I find that hard to believe for a place recently activated by a number of groups. TKS, George, AA7JV _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: [RFI] Powerline noise question
Can a description of that antenna be had ? Google was not my friend and I don´t have QST. / Jim SM2EKM Den 2022-12-30 kl. 04:53, skrev Frank W3LPL: Hi Rick, I recently built a WB8DSB man portable flag antenna (March 2021 QST) for RFI geolocation, its performance far exceeds my expectations. Its narrow deep null quickly, easily and definitively located the source of very troublesome 160 meter RFI to a single power pole more than three miles from my QTH. Prior to constructing the flag antenna I could locate the RFI to only within a few hundred yards of the RFI source. I built my flag antenna entirely out of materials I had on hand from previous projects including 3/8 inch diameter fiberglass rods, a pair of Advanced Receiver Research P1-30/20VD 20 dB HF preamps, a case of eight AA batteries to provide power to the preamps, a switchable attenuator and a Tecsun PL330 portable HF receiver. I highly recommend this easily constructed RFI geolocation antenna for the toolkit of any serious HF operator. 73 Frank W3LPL _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Antenna check for V31XX
LU8DPM have had a receiving problem for years. Seems like he is unable to do something about it so the rest of us just have to run more power to work him. / Jim SM2EKM Den 2022-01-31 kl. 22:38, skrev Jim Brown: On 1/31/2022 12:13 PM, cqtestk4xs--- via Topband wrote: Any comments on the signal/condx would be appreciated. I had no problem hearing you, Bill, never heard V31MA. And LU8DPM is either seriously deaf or doesn't want to work US. 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Anyone QRV in ND?
I have also worked K0IDX on 160 so he seems to be active quite a lot. / Jim SM2EKM Den 2020-04-04 kl. 13:40, skrev Hans Hjelmström: Hi Wes I worked K0IDX on 29th of February.BIG signal into Europe.So guess he could be a good choice. CW of course.A real QSO 73 and GL de SM6CVX Hans 4 apr 2020 kl. 02:14 skrev Wes : I should add, on CW. On 4/3/2020 5:05 PM, Wes wrote: For want of something to do, I was checking out LoTW and see that I have 49 states confirmed but lack North Dakota. I've worked KC0W, but he doesn't use LoTW. Is there anyone on here in ND that can QSL via that method who would try a QSO before the thunderstorms roll in? Wes N7WS _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 8 vs 4 direction 4-SQ?
Yes loobs are broad but even so there are a small area in betwen two main loobs that are quite a bit down. I´ve been using an 8 direction 4 square vertical array on 80m for 30 years and on stuff right in the middle of two main loobs I can see up to 10 dB difference. This is something I built myself, at one time I also had a 4 sq 8 directions on 40m. Anyway, I would not like to be without it. I know that RA6LBS makes good stuff so that might be a good source. 73 Jim SM2EKM Den 2020-03-19 kl. 21:57, skrev Andrey Fedorishchev: Gary, We are selling those 8 direction systems since 2007 at least. This is what my records says. And we only sell items I tested myself. Those who can make A/B test between nearby “standard” and “new” directions can tell you how important it is to have just few dB difference. Copy/no copy in some cases. At the price of few more control wires and something like 50USD for extra parts only. чт, 19 марта 2020 г. в 22:31, Gary K9GS : A couple of companies, LBS and RemoteQTH, have started selling 8 direction 4- SQ controllers.I'm trying to understand if this would be worthwhile. My reasoning is that the main lobe is so broad you have the in-between 45 degree directions covered anyway. Thoughts?73,Gary K9GS _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: T Top Verticals and yagis
And give up approx 5 dB ground reflection gain, no thanks! / Jim SM2EKM PS: Had a 4SQ vert array once on 40 and a dipole at 70ft was better on TX. Den 2020-02-28 kl. 15:45, skrev W7RH: The discussion has involved horizontally polarized Yagis. Perhaps use a vertical 8 circle array on 40m! LOL And keep your T-Top! Bob, W7RH _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 4SQ Arrays in proximity
I once was thinking about a deal like this. In my case I wanted to put a 40m 4SQ inside my 80m 4SQ. I did model it and saw a slight gain loss, think it was just around 1 dB or so. I didn´t like that so I instead did put the 40m 4SQ 300m/1000ft away from the 80m array. I´m sure I could have bettered the situation by detune the 80m antennas but I never did look in to that. Gain loss was on the 40m array, the 80m didn´t get hurt. / Jim SM2EKM Den 2020-01-28 kl. 17:43, skrev Mpridesti via Topband: I had heard several negative mentions of placing an 80 m system inside a 160 m 4 square. At my place, I placed my 80 m 4 SQ northeast of my 160 m 4 SQ. Closest elements are 75 feet away. Thinking I might get some negative interaction, I took K3LR’s suggest of opening the feed points of the 80 m array while I am using 160. Built a relay box that shorted the cable ends (1/4 wave 75 ohm lines) so electrically opened the feed points. Pretty simple. Then spent a lot of time listening to WebSDR receivers in EU and switched that relay box on/off to see if I saw any gain variation with the 160 antenna. I saw no difference. However I have found a very slight improvement in F/B or F/S when the 80 m array was open circuited (shorting relays engaged). On the flip side of this, I have not seen any impact on 80 to the SW as I beam through the 160 array. I have reference antennas on each band to check array performance. I continue to experiment on 160 - fun retirement project with lots of exercise! Seems array interaction varies with different stations. I did not model my setup. Regards, Mark, K1RX On Jan 28, 2020, at 10:47 AM, Tree wrote: W7IV asks: " --I am planning a 160m TX 4SQ and another for 80M. Their centers are going to be about 300' apart - is this far enough away? I have a little bit of room to move them apart, but am lucky enough as it is to have the space to get this. The closest verticals will be about 200' apart." My experience supports the post K9YC just made that you don't need to worry about this. I used to have an 80 meter 4 square with my 160 meter TX antenna right in the middle of it and everything worked great. You can also see this in the ON4UN antenna system. 73 Tree N6TR On Tue, Jan 28, 2020 at 12:33 AM Paul F. Merrill wrote: HI - I have a couple questions - --I am planning a 160m TX 4SQ and another for 80M. Their centers are going to be about 300' apart - is this far enough away? I have a little bit of room to move them apart, but am lucky enough as it is to have the space to get this. The closest verticals will be about 200' apart. --I'll be using N6BT vertical dipoles, so there will be no radial issues. --WRT TX chokes - I'm worried about constructing feedline chokes for the feedpoints and still having enough cable (.85vf) to get to the phasing box. How have others done this? Do you have a choke and did you add it to pre-cut phasing lines or did you wind the chokes and work backwards towards the center to get the required electrical or physical length? Did you used magnet wire for the choke instead of coax? I've come across N6RO's helpful 2017 writeup of his 4SQ refurbishment and it touches on these issues. Anyone else have time to share some wisdom? Thanks in advance, Paul / W7IV _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: FT-8
23 december 1997 I worked KH6AT on 160m SSB. Bryce wrote on the QSL card: First ever SSB QSO between KH6 and Europe. I hope that he was right. 73 Jim SM2EKM -- On 2019-02-01 05:18, K9FD wrote: Aloha Len, Remember those QSOs, very rare SSB contact as I dont work SSB, but your signal was loud so I gave it a try. Good year for 160, hoping they will return in the next couple years. 73 Merv K9FD ex KH7C Hi Dave and all. Cleaning my radio room but will keep a dear QSL card from year 2009 stating two different QSOs on SSB, reports 59, 58 and one on CW stating 569 CW. Oh, the card is from KH7C ex K9FD for a two way QSO on 160 between Sweden and Hawaii. That is it! 73 Len SM7BIC -Ursprungligt meddelande- Från: Topband För daraym...@iowatelecom.net Skickat: den 31 januari 2019 23:37 Till: cqtestk...@aol.com; topband@contesting.com Ämne: Re: Topband: FT-8 There is simply no substitute for the real, direct, visceral connection one has with the person on the other end with either CW or SSB modes. I'll be in charge of the QSO, thank you. Not my computer. 73. . . Dave, W0FLS -Original Message- From: cqtestk4xs--- via Topband Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 3:59 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: FT-8 This thread has been addressed on various reflectors. I've tried it, made around 400 contacts or so, and found the mode pretty boring. Even with my pileups on FT-8 the mode left me cold. I felt the same way with RTTY...tried it and found it boring. Why? With CW SSB/AM I felt a connection with the other person, someone sending with a key or a person speaking to me. With RTTY and especially FT-8 my machine is decoding your machine. Oh yeah, I know my XCVR is a machine and so is yours, but for me it's not the same. I understand why guys get all hot and bothered about the new mode, it gives the guys who don't know CW a chance to work DX on a mode other than SSB and gives the weaker signal guys a chance to work DX. For the guys with bigger stations it gives them a chance to work the rarer ones on tough bands like, 160 or 6. Maybe that's why I'm not into FT-8, I've got a big station, and can work CW. Also, I've never been really into putting the new one in the log as much as many guys are...I'm more of a contester. If you want to work your pileups and/or work 300 countries on FT-8, that's fine with me. I'm not going to look down my nose at you but please don't condescendingly tell me I'm a dinosaur or refuse to accept new technology. I'm accepting it, I just don't want to be part of it. No hard feelings. Bill KH7XS/KH7B/K4XS _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: K5P in Zone 14
Yesterday to my big surprise I could copy K5P on 160m for about 30 minutes, seemed to peak around 1445Z. They where as strong as 559 on the peaks with deep QSB. I never ever was thinking it was possible to even hear them the way 160m is these days. However they does not seem to RX very well. Me and OH6KN and one or two others was calling but K5P mostly was calling CQ. Big problem also was that the K5P operator never did announce the RX frequency, he seemed to listen both up and down. I am sorry but this is a very bad way of operating. 73 Jim SM2EKM - On 2016-01-16 18:31, Doug Turnbull wrote: Dear OMs, Please do not think I am criticizing the team. So far at 17:27 GMT on Jan16 there has only been one 160M QSO with zone 14 which includes EI, G, DL etc.The propagation gods are not favouring us at all. K5P is a hard reach on most bands and once you go away from 17 through 40 meters there are literally only about five QSOs total on the other bands. Some are losing their reason and making poor comments which reflect badly on both them and their nations. We as a hobby need to do better in recognizing the troubles of the DXpedition. 73 Doug EI2CN _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers
On 2015-02-05 08:30, Jim Brown wrote: On Wed,2/4/2015 10:51 PM, Jan Erik Holm wrote: Sorry if I´m a PITA right now but why even bother to have this debate about K1N on 160, it´s not even DX to NA, like a local station almost. That depends on where in NA you are -- it's pretty big. I'm 5 miles from the Pacific, 70 miles S of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, 3,122 miles from Navassa. London, England is 3,090 miles from Bangor, Maine. Detroit is 1,715 miles from Navassa. Seattle is 3,330 miles from Navassa. All of those North American paths are over land. The paths from EU to Navassa are all over water. I've spent about 8 hours trying to work them on 30M. They are pretty loud here, but I keep getting beat by stations in the eastern half of the US, AND from EU. I did work them the first night they were on 160M. 73, Jim K9YC > Yes I know it´s big. I been to all those places, Golden gate bridge, San Francisco, Detroit, Bangor, Seattle and probably very close to your QTH also. I driven across the US a few times, yes I know it´s big. Yes my statement was a bit broad but still, 3000 miles that´s like me working a Italian station, for you west coast would be the extreme case I certainly understand that. In any case if I put it at my perspective I see no big deal in working a Italian station on any band. 73 Jim SM2EKM _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers
Sorry if I´m a PITA right now but why even bother to have this debate about K1N on 160, it´s not even DX to NA, like a local station almost. Jeez how difficult can it be from the US, anybody with 100W and a wet noodle for an antenna can work it. On 80 I´m sure at least from the east coast they can be worked all day long. I don´t know about 160 since so far they haven´t been stronger then S2 due to geo mag storm and poor propagation 66 degs north where I´m at but so far I´m very disappointed in their 80m operation, they never listen for EU or any other area, they work 99,5% NA, it is the USA/Canadian QSO party. I would have expected a totally different action by that bunch of operators, I´m very very sad and sorry to see where it all has went to. Now this might not be the case on 160, if I´m lucky propagation might get better and I might get a shot at it. 73 Jim SM2EKM On 2015-02-04 01:15, Hardy Landskov wrote: I got up last night for my nightly bathroom ritual and just for grins listened to 160. They were calling CQ and I worked them on 2 calls. Not many trying to get them. This was 1035Z. N7RT - Original Message - From: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist" To: ; Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 4:51 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Out-of-Turn Callers Why not call around 0700Z after the band closes to EU and before it opens to JA? A bunch of us in CA got them in the log last night fairly easily. Rick N6RK _ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
I called you for 45 minutes or so, also a lot of other EU stations called, you did have a decent signal but problems receiving. Wow 20 over 9 noise floor, if I had known I never would have called you, waist of power and time. 73 Jim SM2EKM - On 2014-12-06 09:36, Jim Brown wrote: I can help with RX noise issues. 73, Jim K9YC On Fri,12/5/2014 2:01 PM, DALE LONG wrote: Our plans for a 160m operation and CQWWCW entry were delayed due to supply issues and construction woes. THINGS ARE NOT EASY IN HAITI !!! We are very fortunate that we had any place to operate. We had only very low dipoles on the higher bands at the hotel/guesthouse. Thanks to the great kindness of Jean-Robert HH2JR (who is also famous for his efforts in the Haitian earthquake) we were offered the opportunity to use his nice station for the contest, and operate with the club callsign of 4V1FR. The last two days we worked on erecting the 160m antenna. We need to be thankful for three things, the kindness of HH2JR, the efforts to put up the antenna (including tower climbing and roof-climbing by an un-named old guy) and the excellent filtering ability of the Elecraft K3. We did not have time or space for a listening antenna, although with more time I would have tried. In the end we worked 180 stations on topband and had 3100 QSOs in the contest, which is not bad for a contest operation with only two ops. We aso had three lengthy power outages during which we got good exercise trying to start the generator. You probably already know that we were there on the top of every hour. We made a big effort on 160m because of the need. The antenna was an inverted Vee with one side folded back to the tower about 15 feet from the ground. The wire almost reached back to the tower. The other side went over a couple roofs and tied off in a neighboring property. It was an accomplishment to get this antenna erected and our host HH2JR was delighted to have a 160m antenna. The bad news is that we worked no EU stations, not a single one. We had 20 over 9 noise constantly...We did not have static crashes, just constant noise. One leg of the antenna was very close to a WIFI antenna. Not sure if that was the only culprit. I would like to know how we were being heard in EU...I have no reports. Our antenna described above and we used an Acom 1011 amplifier with about 750w output. Our best contact was with CN2AA. All other contacts were in the Caribbean area and North America. My goal in the future is to organize a dxpedition for topband operation only. We are looking for interested operators who love 160m. We know that contest weekends are not the best for DXing. We need a dedicated team of topband guys, not one guy without an RX antenna. But again, we need to thank HH2JR. Without his kind offer there would have been zero contacts on 160m last weekend. Thanks for all who called and wish that more of you could have been in the log. Please let me know if you would be interested in doing a 160m dxpedtion from Haiti. And please let me know how was our signal in EU compared to other stations. Thanks & 73 Dale - N3BNA _ 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: Being there; was Re: Need help to improve DX on 1/2 acre lot from CA
Rick, your 100W also made it into my log back in 2010 31 January. Nice with 100W. This was when I had a good antenna that is no more. 73 Jim SM2EKM --- On 2013-01-13 20:11, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: On 1/13/2013 8:52 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On 1/12/2013 12:49 PM, k...@elite.net wrote: 1. I still have not copied or worked into Europe. I have been on this band somewhat seriously for at least 5 years EU is VERY tough from California, especially northern California. We have to go over the pole. My neighbor, K6XX has more than 60 acres on top of a 2,700 ft ridge up the road from me, and when I moved here he told me he can count the nights he can hear EU on the fingers of one hand. Six seasons have convinced me he's right. We're in the Santa Cruz Mountains. All the stars must be aligned -- propagation that gives us a Europe on 160 meters from W6 is about "being there" the few nights it happens. In the recent SP contest, I easily worked VK6, CE1, JA, etc running 100W to a 60 foot vertical and using a loop receiving antenna. I never heard or planned to hear EU. I also recently worked the PT0S dxpedition on 160 meters. So I know there is nothing wrong with my station. It is entirely possible to have fun working DX from the central valley. Just not Europe. For WAC, try working the Azores, which technically count as EU. That's probably realistic. On the few nights when EU is in here, everyone works them, not just the big guns. There were a few crazy nights during the recent sunspot minimum when some Russians were working W6's on 160m phone. Unbelievable, you had to be there. It sounded like 20 meters. My favorite "being there" story is calling CQ all night in a 160 meter contest on the longest night of the year at the bottom of the sunspot cycle that was the lowest in a lifetime and, barely aware, just before sunrise, getting a called by a UA3. You just can't plan these things. Did I mention I was only running 100 watts? Rick N6RK _ Topband Reflector _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: HFTA, Radio Arcala, general comments
I´ve tried to inquire how it works but it has been awfully silent from that direction. I can tell one story, no science in this but for whatever it´s worth. During a CQWW CW 160 contest I was sitting on a frequency running stations, it was around 19Z so I worked lots of Asia JA´s and stuff. All of a sudden OH8X planted them self 200 Hz from my frequency (go figure). I didn´t move but stayed on the fq, after all I have confidence in my antenna and station. I could hear what they worked and they clearly worked much less JA´s then me, and I clearly worked more stations per hour. Even if they where 30 over S-9 on my TX antenna I could, thanks to Beverage RX antennas, copy the stations calling me. At the time my antenna was a 100ft top loaded vertical over a huge radial field ( about 250 radials). IMO we would have comparable propagation, OH8X and SM2EKM are situated at the same latitude but east/west separation is about 125 miles or so. In any case at that time their 3 el Yagi did not beat my vertical. This has been a interesting topic to follow. Now back into my hole again. 73 Jim SM2EKM - On 2012-10-25 10:30, Clive GM3POI wrote: Yes Gary, After blowing then away in a CQ 160m Contest by 1m points I figured it was rather an expensive lesson they learn. I was using my 51ft top loaded vertical and a lot of wire under it. 73 Clive GM3POI -Original Message-- Subject: Re: Topband: HFTA, Radio Arcala, general comments As I recall they never blew up the receiver here, unlike TF4M, GM3POI, and others in that direction from KL7 who were consistently available during times of low absorption over the N Pole. Then again, who knows what antenna array they were using or the ERP when heard. I'd still like to know their A/B results as there's something to be learned from all that hard work. 73, Gary NL7Y ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: QRP Question
Yes really. FCC does not rule the world and in this case FCC is wrong. Country designator is put before the callsign. This changed way back in the 1970´ties Not to confuse things if I go to England and work mobile I could sign G3/SM2EKM/m or M3/SM2EKM/m, plain and simple and not confusing. Not to waist any more BW I will now QSY to a different QRG. /Jim SM2EKM On 2011-12-13 06:32, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: > Really? > > FCC rules: > > (c) One or more indicators may be included with the call sign. Each > indicator must be separated from the call sign by the slant mark (/) or > by any suitable word that denotes the slant mark. If an indicator is > self-assigned, it must be included before, after, or both before and > after, the call sign.*No self-assigned indicator may conflict with any > other indicator specified by the FCC Rules or with any prefix assigned > to another country.* > > *M England (M3xxx and M6xxx - Foundation Class Licence, > All others - Full Licence Grade) > 14 27* > > > > As I said nobody enforces this. Your licensing may be different. > > Mike W0MU > > W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net > > > On 12/12/2011 10:21 PM, Jan Erik Holm wrote: >> This is so wrong. Please please stop spreading this wrong stuff. >> >> It is a mobile designator and NO nothing else. >> >> /Jim SM2EKM >> - >> On 2011-12-12 18:21, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: >>> Legally signing /M is only legal if you are in England or one of the >>> countries that uses the M prefix. It is readily accepted as Mobile but >>> is not a legal designator. I am not sure that most of the ones you >>> listed are legal IARU or ITU call designators. This could vary from >>> country to country. >>> >>> >>> >>> Mike W0MU >> ___ >> 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: QRP Question
Thank you very much Martin, I couldn´t have put i better myself. And as an advice, if some QRP station wants to work me don´t even try once with /qrp mickey mouse stuff, there will be no QSO. /Jim SM2EKM --- On 2011-12-12 20:59, Martin Kratoska wrote: > For sure, among worst violations of good operating practice is the (now > very common and massive) use of /QRP, ie. OK1RR/QRP. There is no other > reason than to attract more attention than others (using regular call > sign). ITU RR recognizes only /P, /M, /MM and /AM, national authorities > sometimes allowing a numbered ID indicating a region, ie. SM5ABC/4. All > other call signs must be issued in accordance with the regular licensing > mechanism (like OL1A/JP, Pope's visit in OK, there was a special call > OL1A/JP, issued with the slash and the JP appendix). Some other IDs are > issued in groups for limited time, like /J for Jamboree stations, /L for > school stations etc. > > More > http://www.ok1rr.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.57 > > A trend to attract more attention than others is really one of the worst > possible examples of bad behaviour and should be not tolerated (BTW > nothing against possible penalization of /QRP users). I find /QRP very > annoying in contests and pile-ups, it impedes a fast, hig rate operating. > > QRP is not your_call/QRP! > > 73 > Martin, OK1RR > > Dne 12.12.2011 17:58, W0UCE napsal(a): >> >> >> Maybe and experienced QRP OP can answer a question for me and please note >> the question is not intended to anger anyone or start a flame. I would just >> like to learn something - "Why?" >> >> So here is the question: Why do some using QRP continually send /QRP after >> a CQ, their call or a contest exchange? In a contest I don't care if the >> station I work is QRP, LP or QRO - a QSO is a QSO. >> >> The same when calling CQ or during a rag chewing - Why send /QRP? To me it >> makes no more sense than someone sending /100w, /LP, /1500w or /QRO after >> their call. >> >> 73, >> Jack >> >> ___ >> 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: QRP Question
This is so wrong. Please please stop spreading this wrong stuff. It is a mobile designator and NO nothing else. /Jim SM2EKM - On 2011-12-12 18:21, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: > Legally signing /M is only legal if you are in England or one of the > countries that uses the M prefix. It is readily accepted as Mobile but > is not a legal designator. I am not sure that most of the ones you > listed are legal IARU or ITU call designators. This could vary from > country to country. > > > > Mike W0MU ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: high take-off angle
Yes well I might explain my statement a little. First of all I have read all the books by ON4UN and also this by NM7M together with lots of other writeups etc etc. I am NOT saying that thats not true. What I´m saying is at my northerly latitude I can just not see any useful high angle and I´m talking about stuff further away then 150 miles, this holds true for both 80 and 160m. I do have great experience in 80m DX-ing and also 160m but more experience on 80m so far. For example I´m quite sure I´m the one in Europe that has made the most "long path" QSO´s into the USA on 80m and this goes back into the late 1960´ties. I have tried a zillion RX antennas on 80 and 160 and the clear conclusion is that I have to get the wave angle below 25 degrees or even much below. For example, this means that Beverage antennas has to be made longer than most people think, IMO at my latitude longer then 3-4 wl or even much longer then they really start to performe. In my book 25 degrees or lower is low angle by the way. The further down towards the equator one gets it seems like there is more and more high angle that can be used but not this far north as 67 degrees latitude. I think it has to do with the D-layer. At this latitude with geomagnetic activity most every day the D-layer will be a player in the equation most of the time and you simply do not see that further down towards the equator. So the high angle stuff that "might" have been useful will get absorbed in the D-layer and what you need to do is sneak in and out below the D-layer. I better stop before it gets booring! 73 Jim SM2EKM On 2011-10-17 05:20, Bob Eldridge wrote: > Hi Jim > Twenty years or so ago NM7M wrote a program in DOS that predicted the > position of the "tilt" in the E layer on the dark side of the > terminator, more than usual refraction at that point causing a > steeply downward signal as it exits the layer. Believing this, I made > sure I had some antennas that responded to high angle, and they often > provided better results than the high vertical loops just at that > time, resulting in hundreds of early morning QSOs with VK and ZL. > The band "opened earlier" for the lower angle response antennas, but > they ceased to be better about half an hour before sunrise. It was > common experience for West Coast stations to see better signals from > the Pacific on Inverted Vees than on monopoles just before sunrise. > I suppose if one has only one antenna, a low angle response one is > better for DX, as long as it has some response at 20 or 30 degrees, > but some QSOs will be missed. > Bob VE7BS > > - Original Message - From: "Jan Erik Holm" > To: > Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 8:15 AM > Subject: Re: Topband: high take-off angle > > >> This I have NEVER seen in SM2 land, the lower angle the >> better. Jim SM2EKM >> -- > > ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: high take-off angle
This I have NEVER seen in SM2 land, the lower angle the better. Jim SM2EKM -- On 2011-10-16 02:25, Bob Eldridge wrote: >> I dont understand the sudden urge or desire of some to suppress all >> high angle radiation from an inverted L. It is well established that >> even a low horizontal >> dipole can work amazing amounts of DX on 160 when conditions allow >> and >> having both possibilities present in the L is a benefit. >> Carl > Hear! Hear! Especially at or near SR and SS. > Bob VE7BS > > ___ > UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK > ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160m vertical with "top loading"
Well base loading should be better then linear loading, lower losses. However the base loading LC network has to have low Q or at least "decent" Q. Once I had my 160 vertical linear loaded, it was a 90 foot radiator. I did measure the difference between linear loading and base LC network loading. Did measure the ground wave field strength about 400m (1300ft) away. I could clearly measure 0.5 dB less field strength with the linear loading. Since I don´t like to give away even half a dB I replaced the linear loading with base loading. These days I use a 95 ft top loaded vertical and yes it "seems" to be "slightly" better then the 90 ft base loaded however this is just a feeling and I have no measurements to back it up with. But as long as my brain thinks it is better it is fine for me. Bottom line: I will never use linear loading again !! 73 Jim SM2EKM - On 2011-04-21 04:42, Lars Harlin wrote: > Hi Rag! > > Have you thought about the possibility to use linear loading? That could be > a good alternative when you cant put the loading on top... > > 73 de Lars, SM3BDZ > > > - Original Message - > From: "Stein Roar Brobakken" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 7:11 PM > Subject: Topband: 160m vertical with "top loading" > > >> Hi >> >> We are going to install a 18m spiderbeam @ LA9TJA for use for 160m >> >> We been studying different top loading configurations, but we can't have >> the >> wires stringed from the top because it will break the spiderbeam ;) >> ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
