Re: Topband: OT - LG Dryer RFI

[Joe Galicic]

Steve, 

I have a LG DLE-7300WE clothes dryer that makes RFI when it's running. I have 
not checked on every band but I know it makes noise on 40 meters.  My noise 
level rises an S unit or so with RF hash when it's running. 

Joe
N3HEE


> On 11/20/2020 5:12 PM Steve Lawrence via Topband  
> wrote:
> 
>  
> Please excuse the OT. Anyone using an LG DLG7301 Clothes Dryer? Any RFI 
> detected 160-6m?
> 
> Please reply off list only.
> 
> TU & 73 - Steve WB6RSE
> _
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Re: Topband: K9AY amplifier

[Joe Galicic]

The preamp in my K3 and Flex 6600M was plenty for my K9AY loop.  More 
importantly chokes should be used on the coax near the antenna and probably 
before it enters your house.  I used 6 or 7 turns of feed line coax around a 
stack of 5 large FT-240 mix 31 cores.  Also, I keep the control line separated 
from the feed line by a few feet.  Make sure both are flat on the ground for 
the entire run if possible. These steps will enhance the performance.


> On 11/05/2020 11:25 AM Bill Shell - N6WS  wrote:
> 
>  
> Tom,
> 
> I use the DX Engineering DXE-RG5000HD receiver guard and DX Engineering 
> DXE-RPA-2 receive preamplifier ahead of my FTDX101MP. They are both 
> located in my shack.  I changed from the internal K9AY preamp for better 
> use on 60m.  I can tell a difference if I turn the preamp off.  I don't 
> know how well it would be to locate the preamp at the antenna.
> 
> 73, Bill
> N6WS
> 
> On 11/5/2020 2:09 AM, Wojciech Tomczyk via Topband wrote:
> > Hello OMs,
> > I plan to build a K9AY antenna.My question is about location of its 
> > preamplifier.I consider locating it inside the control box at the base of 
> > the antenna.Does it have any advantage/disadvantage? I am concerned about 
> > signal strength loss in coax between antenna and radio if amplifier is 
> > located at the receiver side.I do appreciate any comments-
> > Tom, SP7WT
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
> _
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Re: Topband: Little Pistol Report-Oct 9/10

[Joe Galicic]

Hi Bill,
 
Sounds like you and I are both having lots of fun on 160 meters with very 
modest setups !  I have also worked many VK's and a ZL with 100 watts the past 
two weeks as well as hearing many JA's.  I have been working some EU in the 
evenings.

I'm just getting my 160 meter antenna up here in SC which for now is a 
converted (bypassing the 49:1 matching transformer) 80-10 end fed half wave 
with 21 longish radials on the ground.  Apex is around 50.  All hidden in my 
tall pines.  

Amazing conditions on 160 for sure ! 

73, 

Joe
N3HEE/4


> On 10/10/2020 8:57 AM Bill Stewart  wrote:
> 
>  
> GM All, 
> I usually sit on the side line and read the postings, but wanted to throw in 
> my 2 cents worth on 
> this mornings condx. I thought the band would be noisy due to the remnants of 
> the storm west 
> of NC, but the band was quiet. I also was able to work a few VK's...four to 
> be exact. The strongest, 
> by far, was VK4KW. He peaked around 7:10AM here in NC and was a real 589. I 
> was able to work 
> two other VK's last week. Last night I worked the first EU stn of the season, 
> OK1CF. He was quite 
> strong, but no other EU stns were head. The setup here is quite simple...a 
> TS-440S, 100w and a 
> avg. inverted L, with a four wire CP, all of which are covered over with tall 
> pines. Sure hope condx 
> are good for another top band season. Little pistols can have fun toohi. 
> 73 de Bill K4JYS 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
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Re: Topband: VK6LR Kevin sigs 559-569 from 1111z-1145z this morning on 1821.4 (cw)

[Joe Galicic]

I worked VK6LW with 100 watts at 11:33 Z this morning.  He was peaking nicely 
here at SC sunrise.  WOW, that was fun !  

I'm in the process of putting up antennas for 160 at my South Carolina QTH.  
Inverted L with apex at 50 feet with 14 longish (75-100 feet) radials so far.  
No RX antennas yet.  No amplifier at this QTH yet either.

I heard other VK's over the past couple of mornings as well as JH1HDT this 
morning, I was surprised how strong HL5IVL was yesterday morning. I called 
several times but he did not hear me.  VK2WF got a partial call sign for me but 
we didn't make the QSO. He was very strong at my sunrise each morning I heard 
him.

Getting ready for the upcoming 160 contest season.  

Fun stuff !!

Joe
N3hEE


> On 10/04/2020 8:10 AM w3...@roadrunner.com wrote:
> 
>  
> worked Kevin on first call, simplex. He was in there pretty well from
> -1145z, although qsb at times took him into the noise, here in
> central Ohio.
> 
> Our Twilight-SR times today were 7:03 local- 7:30 local. or
> 1103-1130z.
> 
> A second VK6 was spotted but I never heard him. 
> 
> But those SR tables really work! His strongest sigs peaked right at SR
> and were about the same for 19 mins before and 15 mins after SR. 
> 
> Heard a very faint JA but not well enough to call. Think it was HDT
> 
>   -From:
> topband-requ...@contesting.com
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Cc: 
> Sent: Saturday October 3 2020 12:06:06PM
> Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 214, Issue 2
> 
> Send Topband mailing list submissions to
>  topband@contesting.com
> 
>  To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> 
>  --
> 
>  Subject: Digest Footer
> 
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Re: Topband: ARRL 160m

[Joe Galicic]

Steve, I'm sure glad you stayed in the chair long enough to hear and work me.  
I was running 5 watts.  I called you many times throughout the contest before 
you heard me Saturday evening during prop enhancement.  Thrilling to work 2000 
miles QRP on 160 meters. You did all the heavy lifting for me ! :)  TU es 73  
-Joe N3HEE


> On December 9, 2019 at 11:35 AM VE6WZ_Steve  wrote:
> 
> 
> This was the first time I made a serious attempt at the ARRL 160m contest. 
> Usually I will just poke around and hand out mults.  Since condx were looking 
> pretty good, I decided to stay in the chair a bit longer.
> 
> I must say I forgot how this contest is really more like SS with some DX 
> thrown in rather than a real DX contest. I knew the band was in great shape 
> to EU because of how loud the EU callers were, at least 4 of which were 
> dupes. At around 4 AM, John SM5EDX called in to tell me I had a great signal 
> at his local NOON! So I knew the band was in good shape over the pole at my 
> morning. The band was wall-to-wall during prime-time, but I could usually 
> find a CQ hole somewhere.  If you left a run spot to go pee, it would be gone 
> within about 1 or 2 minutes.
> 
> 1319 QSOs (1381 total QSOs but 62 dupes!!! some guys just kept duping me, 
> multiple times…I just kept logging them)
> 83 sec (I worked all sections  before I went to bed Friday night)
> 
> 52 DXCC:
> 
> EU- 114 QSOs, 25 DXCC
> 
> AS- 97 QSOs, 5 DXCC: 86 JA, 7 UA9, 2 HL, 1 BY, 1 JT
> 
> OC- 8 QSOs, 2 DXCC: 7 KH6, 1 5W
> 
> SA- 3 QSOs, 3 DXCC: 1 CE, 1 YV, 1 PJ2
> 
> AF-1 QSO, 1 DXCC: 1 D4
> 
> I was operating my remote station using the Flex 6600, ACOM 2000a, 2 el TX, 
> and multiple RX.
> My preferred radio is the K3s because it has superior weak signal RX, but it 
> has no waterfall via the remote.
> 
> My remote station is a challenge to operate a contest like this. Here is some 
> info on how things are set-up.
> 
> I am not "a boy and his radio",  I am "a boy and his PC".  I use the Flex 
> 6600 PC software on one monitor, and the remote station PC is on the other 
> monitor where I log with N1MM and control the station.  There is no physical 
> radio or switching at the operating table. Just the PC, a mouse and a 
> keyboard.
> I always use diversity RX with my 9 circle array in one ear, and the 
> Beverages in the other. Each has 8 compass directions and each are controlled 
> with a clickable rotor compass dial on the PC.  SO...to change directions I 
> need to click the 9 circle, then click the Beverage selector, and then click 
> the TX array direction, then get the cursor back to N1MM to log. Often I 
> would be RX in multiple directions in each ear which was handy, but boyIm 
> pretty sure I'm developing carpel tunnel syndrome from using that mouse!  
> During the morning run was really crazy...JA, OC, NA, N polar and EU all 
> possible signal arrivals!
> If I was RX for JA, and some polar EU would call if I had one ear on EU I 
> might hear them, but then if they are weak, I need time to switch the other 
> RX to have good copy.  If the callers are only dumping their call once…I 
> might not get it.  Same with NA calling from the back of the RX.  The 
> Beverage broadside phased pairs are very sharp, and the difference can be 
> copy-no copy just between N to NE.  I may consider adding my RBN skimmer 30m 
> loop into the RX mix so I can have “omni” rx, but it does not hear as well.
> So if I missed any callers, or seemed really slow responding, it was probably 
> because I was busy switching my RX and struggling to get the mouse back into 
> N1MM to type in a call.  This is one disadvantage of the remote compared to 
> having a physical direction switch so I could keep the focus on N1MM.
> There were some very exceptional EU signals, some of which when they called I 
> was sure they were NA.
> On Friday night at 0730z JE1BMJ and JE1CKA got my attention even though I was 
> RX for EU. This was just at JA sunset. I switched to JA and had a nice run on 
> 41 JA till I went to bed at 0830z.
> Congrats to Joel VE6WQ at VE6JY and Eric VE6BBP who were both rocking the 
> band during the contest.
> 
> Thanks to those how called me and could hear me.
> Lets hope these great conditions persist throughout the season.
> 
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> _
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Re: Topband: PreStew coming next weekend

[Joe Galicic]

Hi Nick, Nice to work you in Stew Perry.  You were my best DX !!  -Joe N3HEE

> On October 21, 2019 at 4:25 PM uy0zg  wrote:
> 
> 
> In southern Ukraine, there was heavy fog at night and in the morning.
> 
> I heard VE / W very quietly.
> 
> Audibility from 3 to 6, qsb..
> 
> In any case, it was very interesting!
> 
> 
> ---
> Nick, UY0ZG
> http://www.topband.in.ua
> 
> Kenneth Grimm писал 2019-10-21 23:07:
> > Nick, when you called me, you were very readable and easy copy.  I
> > think I even said "good sig" or something like that.  You should have
> > had no difficulty running. I agree that the problem wsn't with your
> > sigs, but with receiving conditions in the  US.  I worked over twice
> > as many Europeans when I was running than when I was S/P.  There were
> > lots of Europeans that I could have easily worked that were busy
> > trying to work the DX near 1.825 or so.  I think it must have been
> > VP6R who I worked for zero points since he only sent a sig rpt.  I'm
> > sure that conditions will be better for the Big Stew!  Weather
> > conditions should have quieted down by then.
> > 73 and thanks for the QSO Nick.  I think you were the longest distance
> > for me.
> > 
> > Ken - K4XL
> > 
> > On Mon, Oct 21, 2019 at 2:32 PM uy0zg  wrote:
> > 
> >> Hi
> >> 
> >> In southern Ukraine it was very weak with North America.
> >> 
> >> None of the NA answered my CQ TEST.
> >> 
> >> All QSOs are the result of my search.
> >> 
> >> Many quickly disassembled my signal.
> >> 
> >> Super RX - K1KI, NO3M.
> >> 
> >> Doesn't hear anyone K3CCR.
> >> 
> >> CX6VM I listened only to the vertical!
> >> 
> >> After sunrise, the XE2X heard me.
> >> 
> >> _
> >> 
> >> I am very pleased - good Contest.
> >> 
> >> ---
> >> Nick, UY0ZG
> >> http://www.topband.in.ua
> >> 
> >> Tree писал 2019-10-13 19:12:
> >>> The popular PreStew event is coming on Oct 19/20th next weekend
> >>> starting at
> >>> 1500Z and running for 24 hours.
> >>> 
> >>> The band has been improving with good signals from Europe into
> >> West
> >>> coats
> >>> of North America and daily openings from VK to North America and
> >>> Europe.
> >>> 
> >>> Full rules and previous results available at
> >> http://www.kkn.net/stew
> >>> 
> >>> Tree N6TR
> >>> _
> >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> >>> Reflector
> >> _
> >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> >> Reflector
> > 
> > --
> > 
> > Ken - K4XL
> > BoatAnchor Manual Archive
> > BAMA - http://bama.edebris.com
> _
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Re: Topband: Inverted L in contact with leaves

[Joe Galicic]

Hi Pete. My inverted L over K2AV FCP was in the trees touching limbs and 
leaves.  Although it worked OK it wasn't until I moved it into the clear that I 
realized how much signal I was loosing having it in the trees.  Nearly 3db 
increase according to RBN after the move.  RBN testing was done immediately 
before and after the move.  Of course this test is just a relative indicator 
but it did show a lot of improvement after the move.  I know Guy K2AV has done 
similar test with similar results.  -Joe N3HEE


> On August 29, 2019 at 11:23 AM N4ZR  wrote:
> 
> 
> My inverted L is taking shape - about 60 vertical, the rest horizontal.  
> For a couple of months anyway, it is touching a number of leaves in the 
> vertical section.  I assume that's not a concern, but thought I'd ask 
> before I get a lot of radials down. First short radial is down and 
> MFJ-259 results look promising.  It's just a problem of waiting for lawn 
> mowing to stop hi.
> 
> -- 
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
> at , now
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
> 
> _
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Re: Topband: K2AVQ FCP antenna

[Joe Galicic]

Richard,

  The FCP is very sensitive to any variations from it’s design specifications.  
You would do well to keep it at least 8 feet off the ground from the bottom 
wire.  Also keep it away from ANY dielectric materials such as wood, wooden 
fences, trees, etc.  

The aerial wire must also be installed as far away from dielectric materials.

I have mine mounted eight feet above ground with 6 inch plastic standoffs 
attached to wooden 2x4 supports.  This is a compromise installation.

It made a big difference when I added the 6 inch standoffs.  I should use PVC 
supports.  I also have a wooden fence right below my FCP.  Nothing I can do 
about that.

When installed properly the FCP will work much better than a compromised ground 
radial system on a small lot.

The FCP made a big difference for me on 160 meters !

Joe 
N3HEE




> On June 9, 2019 at 2:04 PM Richard McLachlan  wrote:
> 
> 
> Can anybody who has put one of these up advise me?
> 
> The original article specifies a counterpoise height above ground of 8 feet. 
> I am going to try one but it would be much better in the intended location if 
> the lowest wire was at 6 feet rather than 8. Has anybody experimented with a 
> lower height and if so was the performance much degraded? Other than that I 
> am following the build instructions to the letter.
> 
> Richard G3OQT
> _
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Re: Topband: FCP versus loaded or "T" radialsradials

[Joe Galicic]

Pete.  I use an inverted L over K2AV FCP on my tiny quarter acre lot in Point 
Of Rocks, MD. It has made all the difference in the world for my results on 160 
meters.  Before the FCP I used and inverted L with limited ground radials.  
Once I installed the FCP and worked (many many hours, thank you Guy) with Guy 
(K2AV) to get it working properly my performance on 160 meters went through the 
roof.  It is responsible for finishing DXCC + and WAS in the course of a year.  
I can’t say enough for the K2AV FCP on small lots !!  Please go forward with 
confidence that the K2AV FCP will work well for you too.  -Joe N3HEE


> On May 4, 2019 at 12:14 PM N4ZR  wrote:
> 
> 
> At the risk of setting off a food-fight, I'm interested in opinions on 
> shortened radials (T or loaded) versus the K2AC/W0UCE folded 
> counterpoise design.  W8JI has an interesting unfinished page 
>  attacking the FCP.  
> Tom's a combative fella, but he's also very smart.  I am putting up an 
> inverted L, trying to avoid having to lay down 6000 or even 750 feet of 
> on-the ground radials, and don't really have room for resonant elevated 
> radials on 160.
> 
> -- 
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
> at , now
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
> 
> _
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Re: Topband: ARRL DX contest

[Joe Galicic]

I was one of the 160 meter ops at W3LPL this weekend.  Conditions were 
spectacular both nights and Sunday evening!  Very loud signals and plenty of 
activity.  We managed 428 Q's with 85 countries.  It was lots of fun !  


> On February 17, 2019 at 6:59 PM Tim Shoppa  wrote:
> 
> 
> Wow, I thought the first night was FANTASTIC on 160M. But the last hour on
> Sunday was CRAZY. Especially northern Europe sounded like it was in my
> backyard. Scandinavian stations just booming in, rest of Europe doing great
> too!
> 
> Tim N3QE
> 
> On Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 10:50 AM W7RH  wrote:
> 
> > Greetings All,
> >
> > Spotty openings to Europe from the SW with one surprise contact LZ2WO
> > just before sunset. Otherwise 1 G4, and a few EA stations. Also Q5 at
> > Sunset was IK2CLB with no QSO.
> >
> > After 0300 no further EU DX worked. The band went downhill rapidly. Off
> > to bed. In the morning only a few JA and RT0C were worked.
> >
> > Regarding V84SAA. Comments on the reflector were not cool. If you are
> > going to work one in the contest then work them all as a multiplier is
> > just that. Sorry if it's a dupe. However at my Sunrise you were doing
> > contest exchanges. IMHO
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Bob, W7RH
> >
> > --
> > W7RH DM35os
> >
> > "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our
> > humanity." - Albert Einstein
> >
> > _
> > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> > Reflector
> >
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Topband: NAQCC 160 Sprint Tonight

[Joe Galicic]

Get on and have some QRP fun tonight !  



http://www.naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201901_160.html
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Topband: Noise Problem - 160 Meters

[Joe Galicic]

I have had this noise on 160 meters randomly appear for the past year.  Not 
related to weather or time of day.  When it started my neighbor told me he had 
some work done on his VDSL line.   I tried to get Verizon back out here without 
any luck.  I have sniffed around the neighborhood without any luck of finding 
it.   It is coming from the northwest of my QTH.  I can greatly reduce it's 
level with my K9AY pointed SE.  Take a look at the video and let me know what 
you think.  Thanks -Joe N3HEE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isy4OK8mzoc
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Topband: ZL3IX

[Joe Galicic]

Big surprise working ZL3IX at 1023Z this morning with only 100 watts and no RX 
antenna up yet.  He was S9 at times !  I saw the spot but was sure I wouldn’t 
be able to hear him.  Boy was I surprised when I tuned to his frequency and 
heard him like he was a local.  The amp wasn’t warmed up yet so I gave him a 
call with 100 watts and he came right back on the first try. 


This is the second time I have experienced this phenomenon on 160.  I worked 
VK3IO last year about the same time of year where he was very strong and easy 
to work.  I will have to pay more attention to 160 this time of year.


Fun !


Joe

N3HEE
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Re: Topband: KL7/VE7ACN

[Joe Galicic]

WOW!  Congrats Paul.  Very impressive work.  I was using legal limit but could 
have easily worked him with 100 watts. Or maybe even 5 watts.  -Joe


> On March 15, 2017 at 7:49 AM Paul Stroud  wrote:
> 
> 
> I hauled my sleeping bag down to my radio shack in the woods tonite in hopes 
> of finally bagging a KL7 on TB.  I'm happy to report that he showed up on 
> 1822 kHz at 0627z with an honest 599 sig.  I gave him one call with my 
> Argonaut VI and he came right back to complete my 160M QRP WAS.  Life is 
> good!   72, Paul  AA4XX  nr Raleigh, NC
> 
> 
> 
> _
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Topband: KL7/VE7ACN

[Joe Galicic]

Had fun working KL7/VE7ACN before heading out to work this morning at 0845Z.  
He was very strong here in MD.  I was surprised. Very easy to work.  This 
completes my 160 meter WAS !  Finally :)  Joe - N3HEE
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Topband: Fwd: RTTY Beacon

[Joe Galicic]

Response from Warren below. He was very strong so it was not a harmonic. He was 
there on purpose. Not sure if we have experimental frequencies below 160 meters 
? 

- Original Message -


Joe, 
Thanks for the report! 
Running abt 75W into an inverted L 
73 Warren 

On 12/22/2016 4:55 AM, Joe Galicic wrote: 
> Heard WH2XDE\3 beacon 0950Z on 1790.9KHZ Very loud S9 plus. -Joe N3HEE 


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Topband: RTTY Beacon 1790 KHZ

[Joe Galicic]

Heard WH2XDE/3 RTTY beacon this morning at 0950Z on 1790.9 KHZ ? Message was 
QSL via K2ORS@Verizon .net Also gave QTH and grid square of Wayland,MA 

Anybody have info on this operation ? 

Joe 
N3HEE 
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Re: Topband: Plasma TV noise

[Joe Galicic]

Hi Bill. Nothing you can do about it as far as filtering. I've tried W3NQN 
power line filters with no luck. I finally replaced our plasma tv with a LED 
tv. Cost me $1200 to do that but was worth it. My neighbor still has a plasma 
tv that they use occasionally. My K9AY rx loop does a pretty good job of 
knocking that down enough that I can deal with it. -Joe N3HEE 

- Original Message -

From: "William Hill"  
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2016 6:59:16 AM 
Subject: Topband: Plasma TV noise 

Hello: Has anyone successfully solved this problem? 73, 

Bill/W3WH 

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Re: Topband: FW: Hi-Z Around Trees

[Joe Galicic]

I could never get my hiz 2-3 (3 element,4 directions) working on my small 
quarter acre lot.  Too close to trees, houses and antennas.  Worked with 
Lee for a long time trying.  No luck.  N3HEE 


Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App

-Original Message-

From: p...@paulferguson.us
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: k7...@msn.com
Sent: 2016-11-14 9:49:58 AM 
Subject: Re: Topband: FW: Hi-Z Around Trees

Lee,

Thanks for the guidance. 

I plan to use 20-foot fiberglass tube with a wire down the center for  
Hi-Z array elements. Would you expect sensitivity to nearby trees to be 
about the same for these wire elements versus aluminum tube elements.

73,
Paul
K5ESW


> 
> 
>   Greetings Top-Banders, I have been away for a couple days, sorry for
>   the late comments.
> The fact is, for me there is no definitive answer to the effect of
> trees on the Hi-Z arrays. I have made tests measuring phase shifts
> and amplitude changes with a variety of objects around these
> elements. My original thoughts after the tests were that any tree or

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Re: Topband: New Noise - 160 Meters

[Joe Galicic]

Link to files 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3ftcsm50mvr9jmy/AABcDfHjYn-GKvelQhmyJTBia?dl=0 

- Original Message -

From: "Joe Galicic"  
To: "PVRC List" , "TopBand List"  
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2016 1:35:15 PM 
Subject: Topband: New Noise - 160 Meters 

Just put up my 160 antenna and have a new noise source to find. Very loud wide 
band buzzing that starts in the middle of the AM broadcast band and then 
abruptly drops to zero at 1870 KHZ. I have attached sound file and panadapter 
screen shots. It is not coming from my QTH. One night it went off at 11PM sharp 
but has returned and doesn't seem to quit. I will continue to monitor for a 
cycle. I walked the neighborhood with portable AM radio and the noise seems to 
be contained within a four house area. Tough to tell which house though. All 
utilities are buried in my neighborhood. Could this be a grow lamp ? Thanks 
-Joe N3HEE 
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Topband: New Noise - 160 Meters

[Joe Galicic]

Just put up my 160 antenna and have a new noise source to find. Very loud wide 
band buzzing that starts in the middle of the AM broadcast band and then 
abruptly drops to zero at 1870 KHZ. I have attached sound file and panadapter 
screen shots. It is not coming from my QTH. One night it went off at 11PM sharp 
but has returned and doesn't seem to quit. I will continue to monitor for a 
cycle. I walked the neighborhood with portable AM radio and the noise seems to 
be contained within a four house area. Tough to tell which house though. All 
utilities are buried in my neighborhood. Could this be a grow lamp ? Thanks 
-Joe N3HEE 
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Re: Topband: Tracking entities

[Joe Galicic]

Steve. DX Lab Suite will do that for you. It keeps a local copy of the spot 
database that you can query and generate reports from. It will do many other 
things too. Very good program. http://www.dxlabsuite.com/ -Joe N3HEE 

- Original Message -

From: "Steven R Daniel, D.D.S."  
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2015 11:32:03 AM 
Subject: Topband: Tracking entities 

Good morning. I am searching for the most efficient way to monitor the 
activity of the countries I still need on 160 (other bands also). Currently 
I am going to DX Summit, putting on the 160 filter and searching for the 
prefix of the countries I still need. I then print the results, if any are 
found. Effective but time consuming. Is there a program out there which can 
sort data, such as that from DX Summit, by band and prefix, and create a 
spread sheet for the past 30 days (that is the limit of Summit) showing 
calls and times of activity for those stations? Any suggestions are most 
welcome! Best, Steve, NN4T 

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Re: Topband: Pre Stew - N3A

[Joe Galicic]

Thanks to everyone for all the Q's and patience digging my QRP signal out. I 
made 103 contacts with many 6 & 9 point contacts and four 12 and 15 point 
contacts. Those were a real challenge. Overall band conditions were great with 
low QRN and local noise. I had a blast ! -73 Joe N3A/N3HEE 

- Original Message -

From: "Joe Galicic"  
To: "TopBand List"  
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2015 9:53:12 AM 
Subject: Topband: Pre Stew - N3A 

I will be operating the Pre Stew as N3A (NAQCC Special Event Station). I will 
be QRP at 5 watts. I hope to work a bunch of you ! Thanks -Joe N3HEE 
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Topband: Pre Stew - N3A

[Joe Galicic]

I will be operating the Pre Stew as N3A (NAQCC Special Event Station). I will 
be QRP at 5 watts. I hope to work a bunch of you ! Thanks -Joe N3HEE 
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Re: Topband: Condx lookin up!

[Joe Galicic]

Boy did I get a surprise this morning by working VK3IO at 10:52 Z. The shocking 
part is that I don’t have any radials hooked up on my inverted L yet ! He 
answered me on my first call. I was in disbelief. Good signal reports too. 559 
both ways. That was my first long DX contact on 160. I hope this is a sign of 
things to come. Very fun ! -Joe N3HEE 

- Original Message -

From: "Mike Waters"  
To: "TopBand"  
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 8:40:45 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Condx lookin up! 

I had WSPR running last night on 160m. RX only on my NE Beverage (the only 
one that works right now). First time in a long time. It was great fun. 

On the WSPR map this morning, it was hard not to notice how good the 
propagation was between VK and the lower 48. 

73, Mike 
www.w0btu.com 
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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

Tom, I stopped using models years ago ! Even though my 160 antenna is probably 
less that 30% efficient it's amazing what I've worked with it so far. Granted 
the receive end is doing all of the heavy lifting. For me the fun of 160 is all 
about overcoming the challenges presented to me on a very small lot. I know 
plenty of others in the same leaky boat. Thanks again for all of you help and 
understanding. I appreciate it. See you the ARRL 160 ! -Joe 

- Original Message -

From: "Tom W8JI"  
To: "Joe Galicic"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 6:38:01 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

Hi Joe, 

Unfortunately all of that stuff renders any model or bandwidth prediction 
pretty much meaningless. Two antennas 40 feet apart on 160 are about like 
having two antennas 4 feet apart on 15 meters. 

We just have to do the best we can with the space we have, although the 40 
ft long ground wire would always be a bad idea. 

You could just open circuit the unused L at the base of the antenna, or 
short circuit the feeder an electrical 1/4 wave away from the unused 
L's. if they are 1/4 wave long antennas. 

At least that would get rid of most of the interaction. 

I have to detune all of my stuff around here, even my 80M dipoles 200 feet 
from the 160 antennas cause interaction. 

73 Tom 




----- Original Message - 
From: "Joe Galicic"  
To: "Tom W8JI"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 3:56 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 


Tom there are many other things in the mix here. Five houses within 30-40 
feet, Hi-Z receive antenna within 10 feet of transmit antennas, three other 
wire antennas sharing the same trees and air space. And yes the old L is 
still there at about 60 feet away. I don’t think I'm the only person in this 
situation however. I will either detune or take down the old L. Thanks for 
your patience! -Joe 


- Original Message - 

From: "Tom W8JI"  
To: "Joe Galicic"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 3:45:13 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

> 
> I now notice much better receive and transmit performance than before. 
> Before I added the radials the old L was louder in certain directions. 
> That's not the case any more. The new L is louder now regardless of 
> direction. So I'm heading in the right direction. I was able to work 3 new 
> DX entities on 160 including Italy with only 100 watts CW. The DX was 
> about 1-2 S units louder on the new L. 
> 
> Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions !! It's not easy trying to put 
> up an efficient antenna for 160 on a small lot ! 
> 

Hi Joe, 

Do I understand this correctly? You have both inverted L's up only 40 feet 
apart, with one of them running directly over a tree?? 

Unless you are detuning unused antenna, anything you observe is an unknown 
mix of things. Are you detuning the unused antenna? 

How many other things are in the mix? 

If it is just one Inverted L, then how are you comparing levels between 
them? You can't compare levels with only one antenna up at a time. 

I don't think it is possible to reach conclusions or offer advice about 
systems before understanding the entire layout. 

73 Tom 





- 
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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

Tom there are many other things in the mix here. Five houses within 30-40 feet, 
Hi-Z receive antenna within 10 feet of transmit antennas, three other wire 
antennas sharing the same trees and air space. And yes the old L is still there 
at about 60 feet away. I don’t think I'm the only person in this situation 
however. I will either detune or take down the old L. Thanks for your patience! 
-Joe 


- Original Message -

From: "Tom W8JI"  
To: "Joe Galicic"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 3:45:13 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

> 
> I now notice much better receive and transmit performance than before. 
> Before I added the radials the old L was louder in certain directions. 
> That's not the case any more. The new L is louder now regardless of 
> direction. So I'm heading in the right direction. I was able to work 3 new 
> DX entities on 160 including Italy with only 100 watts CW. The DX was 
> about 1-2 S units louder on the new L. 
> 
> Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions !! It's not easy trying to put 
> up an efficient antenna for 160 on a small lot ! 
> 

Hi Joe, 

Do I understand this correctly? You have both inverted L's up only 40 feet 
apart, with one of them running directly over a tree?? 

Unless you are detuning unused antenna, anything you observe is an unknown 
mix of things. Are you detuning the unused antenna? 

How many other things are in the mix? 

If it is just one Inverted L, then how are you comparing levels between 
them? You can't compare levels with only one antenna up at a time. 

I don't think it is possible to reach conclusions or offer advice about 
systems before understanding the entire layout. 

73 Tom 


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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

Update -- 

I've added 13 radials to my new L over last weekend. Ranging from 30 to 65 
feet. Also connected radials to old radial field. New radials run over top of 
old the ones. Due to antenna placement and neighbors I can only run radials 90 
degrees from the antenna base. Cant run radials 360 degrees. No matter how much 
I try to tune the radiator wire the SWR remains the same at 2.1-1.7 
(1.8-2.0MHZ). I think the tree is causing that. The wire runs directly up the 
center of the tree and out over the top branches. It's #14 stranded wire with 
jacket. The antenna is probably still very inefficient? 

I now notice much better receive and transmit performance than before. Before I 
added the radials the old L was louder in certain directions. That's not the 
case any more. The new L is louder now regardless of direction. So I'm heading 
in the right direction. I was able to work 3 new DX entities on 160 including 
Italy with only 100 watts CW. The DX was about 1-2 S units louder on the new L. 

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions !! It's not easy trying to put up an 
efficient antenna for 160 on a small lot ! 

Joe 



- Original Message -

From: "Guy Olinger K2AV"  
To: "Richard Fry"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2014 12:27:01 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

The somewhat devastating report from NEC 4.2 offered by Mr Fry is all the 
more gloomy if one factors in the now-common acknowledgement that NEC 4.x 
underestimates ground losses with less than ideal radial configurations. Or 
stated another way, the gloomy NEC 4.2 report is the very best the bad 
situation could be, and likely is significantly worse. 

The "shape" of radiation patterns of this genre of antenna rarely depend on 
radials. The "magnitude" of the pattern depends on the radials. Mr. Fry's 
link shows a very typical shape to the pattern, also seen in an L with a 
"gold standard" radial system, the latter being much louder at the distant 
end. 

73, Guy. 

On Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 9:05 AM, Richard Fry  wrote: 

> Joe N3HEE wrote: 
> 
>> I moved my 160 inverted L to a tall tree in my backyard to get more 
>> vertical 
>> height. The vertical leg is now about 65 feet and the rest (65feet) is 
>> horizontal.  Any feedback would be great. Thanks -Joe N3HEE 
>> 
> __ 
> 
> A NEC4.2 model roughly approximating this system was made using a set of 
> 40 symmetrically-buried radials each 50 feet long, and connected at their 
> common point by a 40-ft straight wire lying on the earth to an 8-ft buried 
> ground rod 40 feet away. The L consisted of a vertical and a horizontal 
> conductor of 65 feet each. The vertical axes of the vertical conductor of 
> the L and of the offset 8-ft ground rod were aligned. A second 8-ft ground 
> rod was located at the common-point of the radial field. 
> 
> The radiation resistance of the L on 1.9 MHz is 21 ohms. System results 
> for 1.9 MHz and earth conductivity of 5 mS/m, d.c. 13 ... 
> 
> Using the offset radial system: Feedpoint Z = 128 -j 3 ohms, peak gain = - 
> 5.8 dBi at 64 degrees elevation, 2:1 SWR BW = 270 kHz, system radiation 
> efficiency = 16.4% 
> 
> With the vertical conductor of the L centered over the common point of the 
> radials: Feedpoint Z = 29 +j 4 ohms, peak gain = 0.5 dBi at 64 degrees 
> elevation, 2:1 SWR BW = 90 kHz, system radiation efficiency = 72.4% 
> 
> The efficiency numbers above are based on a lossless match to the 
> transmission line connected at the feedpoint. The NEC gain analyses were 
> based on the far field. 
> 
> For this comparison study, NEC4.2 shows a system loss of more than 6 dB 
> when the L uses the offset radial field, however the offset system has the 
> better SWR bandwidth. 
> 
> R. Fry 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

Thanks Tom. I get the picture now. Time to go out and connect more radials 
directly to the feed point ground. I can also elevate two of them. -Joe 


- Original Message -

From: "Tom W8JI"  
To: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 2:17:55 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

Ground systems cannot be evaluated or estimated by number of feet of wire, 
just like they cannot be evaluated by SWR or bandwidth, but I'm sure we all 
agree on this.. 

The single most important thing Joe said was: 

 The antenna feed point terminates at a four foot ground rod and then I 
am running a number 14 wire from that ground rod to my existing radial 
field. That run is about 40 feet.  

Joes has virtually no ground at all on 160 meters, because his system's 
ground connection to the radials is via a single #14 wire 40 feet long. 

A 40 ft long wire laid on earth to the radials, even if Joe had 50 x 100 ft 
radials, would almost certainly make the ground path impedance hundreds of 
ohms. 

Joe's antenna virtually doesn't have a ground connection to radials at all, 
and this has almost nothing to do with the number of radials or type of 
radials. It has to do with the 40ft long connection. 

73 Tom 


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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

I suppose another question is this all worth it? Meaning, is the L with 65 foot 
vertical leg with proper ground going to greatly outperform the L with 35 foot 
vertical leg ? 

- Original Message -

From: "Joe Galicic"  
To: "Mike Waters"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 2:12:28 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

Thanks everyone ! Interesting. I knew something was not quite right. I thought 
I could "tap" into the existing ground system but obviously that is not going 
to be the case. I could manage two elevated radials pretty easily but not at 10 
ten feet. More like 6 feet off the ground mounted on my 6 foot high wooden 
privacy fence. Can I lay down radials more over top of the old ones? 


- Original Message - 

From: "Mike Waters"  
To: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 1:23:32 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

Have you considered elevated radials? Four of them 10' high (or even two!) 
would be MUCH better than what you have right now. 

My 160m Inverted-L: 
http://www.w0btu.com/160_meters.html#inv-l_antenna 

73, Mike 
www.w0btu.com 
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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

Thanks everyone ! Interesting. I knew something was not quite right. I thought 
I could "tap" into the existing ground system but obviously that is not going 
to be the case. I could manage two elevated radials pretty easily but not at 10 
ten feet. More like 6 feet off the ground mounted on my 6 foot high wooden 
privacy fence. Can I lay down radials more over top of the old ones? 


- Original Message -

From: "Mike Waters"  
To: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 1:23:32 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

Have you considered elevated radials? Four of them 10' high (or even two!) 
would be MUCH better than what you have right now. 

My 160m Inverted-L: 
http://www.w0btu.com/160_meters.html#inv-l_antenna 

73, Mike 
www.w0btu.com 
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Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

Mike, The antenna feed point terminates at a four foot ground rod and then I am 
running a number 14 wire from that ground rod to my existing radial field. That 
run is about 40 feet. The radial field consists of 3 8 foot ground rods and 
nearly 2000 feet of wire spread out over my entire front and back yard. I 
didn’t want to run "new" radials over top of the existing so that's why I did 
what I did. I am measuring SWR from the shack end of the feed line. My old L 
was only 35 foot vertical. I thought 65 foot vertical would be much better but 
sometimes the old L hears and transmits better by a couple S units depending on 
where the station is of course. So I think something is off? Hopefully I didn’t 
build myself an accidental dummy load? -Joe 

- Original Message -

From: "Mike Waters"  
To: "Joe Galicic"  
Cc: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 11:17:16 AM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Broadband Inverted L 

It sure IS broadbanded. Couple of questions: 

On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 10:11 AM, Joe Galicic < gali...@comcast.net > wrote: 


The ground is connected to the existing ground system for the old L. 



Can you describe this? 



I get a 1.1 SWR reading from 1.8 to 1.9 before it moves up to 1.3 and slightly 
higher to 2.0. The antenna seems to be working OK (relative to the old L). This 
seems awfully broad banded? 




Where are you measuring the SWR? At the feedpoint or at the end of the 125' 
coax? 

73, Mike 
www.w0btu.com 

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Topband: Broadband Inverted L

[Joe Galicic]

I moved my 160 inverted L to a tall tree in my backyard to get more vertical 
height. The vertical leg is now about 65 feet and the rest (65feet) is 
horizontal. I fed this one with about 125 feet of 75 ohm coax just because I 
had lots of it laying around. No tuners, baluns, ununs or chokes in the feed 
line. The ground is connected to the existing ground system for the old L. I 
get a 1.1 SWR reading from 1.8 to 1.9 before it moves up to 1.3 and slightly 
higher to 2.0. The antenna seems to be working OK (relative to the old L). This 
seems awfully broad banded? Any feedback would be great. Thanks -Joe N3HEE 
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Re: Topband: Phased short vertical receive antenna system

[Joe Galicic]

Jim, I have the Hi-Z three element array spaced at 50 feet. You don’t need to 
use radials with them. Just a 4 foot ground rod at the base of each vertical is 
all Hi-Z recommends. - Joe N3HEE 


- Original Message -

From: "James Rodenkirch"  
To: "List, TopBand"  
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 7:08:46 AM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Phased short vertical receive antenna system 

Ok OKthis is what I was remembering (courtesy of a reply from Larry): 

Check out http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-aaps3-1p or page 77 of 
their Autumn/Winter 2014 paper catalog. These receive antennas use 102" 
whips. 

I think I'll go for a two element Hi-Z version - I can put up two 17' verticals 
and some 17' radials, spaced 40 to 50 feetwill work better than my 
top-loaded verticalhi hi 

Tnx to all for the rapid replies!! m72, Jim R. K9JWV 



From: rodenkirch_...@msn.com 
To: topband@contesting.com 
Subject: Phased short vertical receive antenna system 
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 04:14:12 -0700 




I recall seeing a phased antenna system for the low bands that employed short 
vertical antennasshorter than what is used in the system for sale at DX 
Engineering these days. I am envisioning an advertisement where the antennas - 
4 to 8 of them depending on how narrow of a pattern you desired - looked like 
whipsperhaps 8 to 10 feet tall 

Anyone know about what I have stuck up in my cranium or am I simply "losing 
it"? 

72, Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV 


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