Topband: 300 ohm twin lead for bidirectional Beverage antennas

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

I'm considering putting up two bidirectional Beverage RX antennas.  It 
appears that most of the recommendations for Beverages consider the 
close spacing of 300 ohm twin lead undesirable for reasons that are not 
entirely clear, but the consensus if far from unanimous.  I'd like to 
hear the judgment of this list's Beverage experts on the question?


Thanks for your input.

73, Joe
K2XX
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Re: Topband: Location of WF RX Antenna. Need Expert Advice

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Steve, yes, you're the second person to mention that characteristic.  
Although it makes sense now that you mention it, I really didn't 
appreciate that difference.  I suspect that the detuning step would be 
worthwhile anyway, and several other respondents have offered some good 
advice on accomplishing that..


Thanks and 73,

Joe
K2XX


Steve Maki <mailto:li...@oakcom.org>
Monday, July 30, 2018 9:23 PM
I've just recently been reading up on Waller Flags, and am certainly 
no expert, but my impression so far is that an HWF (horizontally 
polarized flag), mounted up in the air on a tower, should be less 
affected by tall vertical thingies in the area; and less prone to 
local noise in the area which is normally vertically polarized, all of 
which is a major attraction of the antenna. So if your nearby 
horizontal items are not long ones in terms of wavelength on the 
frequencies of interest using the flag, I wouldn't expect a problem.


If your plan is a vertically polarized flag, than ignore the previous 
comments.


-Steve K8LX

On 7/29/2018 6:58 PM, Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband wrote:


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Joe Giacobello, K2XX <mailto:k...@swva.net>
Sunday, July 29, 2018 6:58 PM
I am hoping to construct a Waller Flag RX antenna on a 56' Heights 
aluminum tower for 80 and 160M RX.  The ideal location from aesthetic, 
RF and maintenance-of-a-civil -family-climate standpoints is midway 
(150' separation) between two existing LM-470 towers now separated by 
about 300'.  One has a 4-element Steppir and a 13-element 2M yagi on 
it and the other a 2 element 30/40M quad.  Obviously, the WF would not 
be used simultaneously as the two existing antennas, and the Heights 
tower would be well grounded..  Am I asking for a round of battles of 
trying to mitigate interaction problems on either TX or RX on any of 
the bands involved?  Would an easy answer to my question be obtained 
from an EZNEC simulation, especially since I already have models of 
the two current antennas?


I suspect other people on this reflector have been here before.  I'd 
appreciate any practical advice.



Many thanks and 73,

Joe
K2XX


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Topband: Location of WF RX Antenna. Need Expert Advice

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

I am hoping to construct a Waller Flag RX antenna on a 56' Heights 
aluminum tower for 80 and 160M RX.  The ideal location from aesthetic, 
RF and maintenance-of-a-civil -family-climate standpoints is midway 
(150' separation) between two existing LM-470 towers now separated by 
about 300'.  One has a 4-element Steppir and a 13-element 2M yagi on it 
and the other a 2 element 30/40M quad.  Obviously, the WF would not be 
used simultaneously as the two existing antennas, and the Heights tower 
would be well grounded..  Am I asking for a round of battles of trying 
to mitigate interaction problems on either TX or RX on any of the bands 
involved?  Would an easy answer to my question be obtained from an EZNEC 
simulation, especially since I already have models of the two current 
antennas?


I suspect other people on this reflector have been here before.  I'd 
appreciate any practical advice.



Many thanks and 73,

Joe
K2XX
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Re: Topband: Noise on 160

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Nick, I have been observing a similar signal for the past five months or 
so, but it's usually between 1837-39.  I believe that I've also seen it 
drift above1840 on occasion, but I don't usually tune in that part of 
the band.  I suspected it might arise from a local source or something 
in  my house, but I hadn't been able to identify it.  Listening on my RX 
4-square, it seems to peak in no particular direction.  Earlier in the 
year I had to install ferrite on the coax going to each vertical in 
order to eliminate some common mode pickup, but they had no effect on 
this signal.  Since I don't usually operate in that part of the band, it 
hasn't been a serious problem for me.  I can send you a screen shot of 
the spectrum and waterfall for comparison, but based on your image and 
description, it looks like the same thing.


73, Joe
K2XX

Nick Maslon - K1NZ 
Thursday, March 15, 2018 12:48 AM
Caught this interference around the FT8 freq. It's causing trouble from
1.8407 to 1.8417. Any thoughts? It sounds like a buzz and seems to zig zag
over multiple minutes. https://imgur.com/SgXeJGx

Nick K1NZ
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Re: Topband: 160m DX Activity Night

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Roger, Don and Mark, although I haven't run across any station that 
openly rejects repeat contacts on 160M as Don has, I do have a practice 
of not responding to CQs from DX stations on 160M that I have already 
worked in the current season.  I do, however, make an exception when I 
hear such a station repeatedly call CQ and there are no takers, if for 
no other reason than to reassure the op that conditions are favorable 
for DX.  It seems to me that the spotlight effect and highly variable 
conditions on 160M justify the practice.


Accordingly, thanks for the QSO last night, Roger.

73, Joe
K2XX


Roger Kennedy 
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 9:19 AM
Oh that's AWFUL Don !

Well, as I have said, I am happy to work the same stations as often as
possible !

EVERY single DX contact on 160m gives me pleasure - and by DX I mean a 
long

distance, not some rare island !

I have even called the same station later the same night, to tell them 
that

they have come up from S6 to S9.

So hopefully most Top Band people feel the same.

73 Roger G3YRO

_

From: Don Kirk [mailto:wd8...@gmail.com]
Sent: 31 January 2018 11:51
To: Roger Kennedy
Cc: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: 160m DX Activity Night


HI Roger, I would like to share something that happened to me a little 
over
1 year ago on 160 meters that really upset me and it's related to this 
topic

(I have bitten my lip for a long time, but your recent comment gave me the
courage to come out in the open). Below is a copy of an e-mail I sent out
to a station in Europe (call sign and country not mentioned to protect the
guilty party, and to also not reduce the number of calls other stations in
that country would then get). The copy of my e-mail pretty much explains
the situation.




"Sorry to call you today on 160 meters, but you were starting to get very
few callers (actually no one was calling you when I called as far as I 
could

hear) so I just called you to give you an idea that you were still being
heard in the Midwest USA with pretty good signal. Matter of fact no one
called you after I did.

You said please don't call again because I was a dupe and that's the first
time (ever) that has happened to me in over 20 years on the top band 
and 40

years of hamming. Looks like I worked you two previous times this season.

All the hams I have ever worked on 160 meters like to work the same 
stations
on different days (especially when things get slow) to help understand 
band

conditions.

Sorry, and I will try to remember not to work you again on 160 meters.

P.S. I use paper log except for contests so sorry in advance if I make 
that

mistake again in the future."
---


As a result of the above situation I have permanently posted the call sign
of the above station on a sticky label that looks me right in the eye 
every

time I operate, and it says not to work this call sign again. I still spot
this station as a courtesy, but I will do my best to never work him again
(regardless of the band).


I am now very gun shy to work stations multiple times on 160 meters in the
same season, but with paper log it's not always easy to do.


Every time I see that "post it note" with the call sign of the station I
should not call, I get a little knot in my stomach (so to speak).

P.S. I never received an e-mail response back from the above mentioned
station in Europe.


FYI,

Don Kirk (wd8dsb)



On Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 5:03 AM, Roger Kennedy
 wrote:


Well that's interesting that you even ask that !

Personally, I get a buzz out of working ANY DX station on 160m, and North
America is certainly DX on this band.

And it doesn't matter how many times I've worked that station before, it's
still an achievement to me (and as I don't use a Computer Log, unless it's
someone I've worked a lot, I don't usually remember if I've worked them
before anyway).

As far as I'm concerned, working DX means a long distance contact (and on
160m that's anything over 1,000 miles) . . . I'm not even bothered about
working a station on some rare island, when I could be working a station
that's further away - that to me again is more of an achievement!

In terms of whether conditions are good when you come on the band on a
Wednesday, well you'd soon find out !

I personally will come on tonight about Z . . . usually for about an
hour . . . and then again about 0300Z, to see if there's stations further
west. (there seems no point in coming on at our Sunrise, around 0730, as
there is actually NO peak in signal these days)

Roger G3YRO

_

From: Mark K3MSB [mailto:mark.k3...@gmail.com]
Sent: 31 January 2018 01:20
To: Roger Kennedy
Cc: topBand List
Subject: Re: Topband: 160m DX Activity Night



So what's the accepted practice of working stations again and again on 
160M?



If I've worked you once or twice in the past I won't answer your CQ, 
unless

you're CQing with no respon

Topband: Fwd: Re: VU2GSM webSDR use: A Clarification

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Several members of this forum rightfully objected to my post "doubting" 
VU2GSM's use of remote RX in QSOs since he had openly admitted to same 
in his correspondence.  Since I view my e-mail in reverse chronological 
order, I had read Paul's post and responded before seeing the posts by 
VE6WZ with the links to his correspondence with VU2GSM.  I apologize for 
my hasty response and resultant ambiguity.


Nevertheless, I have worked Kanti a couple of times on each of 30, 40 
and 80M.  The 30M QSOs took place generally around his SR and early 
evening here, and I have heard him many times in that time frame on that 
band.  I use a two element quad and either 100 or 200W output on that 
band, and his reports of my signal, 559, are consistent with those 
conditions.  When I worked him on 80M, I began a correspondence with 
him.  His response to that initial e-mail was "Yes i got you clearly and 
you were overriding QSB."  That sure sounds like he was copying me 
directly.  Further, for some reason when I had QSLed him directly, I had 
omitted our 80M QSO and had to request a second QSL from him via 
e-mail.  In that exchange there was not the slightest hint of his using 
remote RX.  Subsequently, because he knew I had an Expert 2K amp here, 
we had several detailed e-mail exchanges to discuss the set-up of his 
newly acquired 1.3K amp.  Again, there was absolutely no hint of using 
remote RX.


It appears that he does use remote RX at times, but a review of the 
times and signal reports for all our QSOs strongly support direct, long 
haul reception.


Again, I apologize for any ambiguity in my previous post.

73, Joe
K2XX


*From:* "Joe Giacobello, K2XX" 
*Date:* Monday, January 15, 2018 10:37 AM
*To:* Paul Christensen 
*CC:* 'Steve Babcock' , 'topband' 
*Subject:* Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use
Like Paul, I seriously doubt that Kanti is using a remote receiver.  I 
have worked him on 30, 40 and 80M and have had occasional 
correspondence with him regarding his relatively recently acquired 
Expert 1.3K amp.  The signal reports he has given me seem appropriate 
for the times and band conditions at the time of the QSOs.  I'm 
confident that had he been using a remote RX, it would have come up in 
our correspondence.


73, Joe
K2XX

*From:* Paul Christensen 
*Date:* Sunday, January 14, 2018 12:29 PM
*To:* "'Steve Babcock'" , "'topband'" 


*Subject:* Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use
No doubt some ops are using WebSDR on receive, but in this case, I am 
skeptical of the skepticism. Here's why:


I routinely work VU2GSM on 40m GL-LP in the early morning hours on a 
210-degree bearing from FL to VU. He is consistently S9, peaking +10 
dB on my Elecraft K3. The remote station I share with N4CC is in 
Hilliard, FL just east of the St. Mary's River. Our antenna is a 
full-size 4 el. M2 40m OWA at 140 ft AGL.


On the 210 deg. bearing, the land slopes almost immediately into the 
river valley. VU2GSM's solid signals aren't an isolated event; he is 
that strong most of the LP season. VU2GSM cannot be detected on my 
backyard dipole at my home QTH 30 miles to the south in Jacksonville. 
The dipole is up 35 ft. AGL. When I say he can't be detected, I mean 
there's no trace on the dipole whatsoever, not even a blip that rises 
above the SDR noise floor. That's to be expected on a low dipole if 
the arriving angle is skimming the horizon.


According to HFTA, the statistical mode from FL to VU is 1 degree 
above the horizon. The sloping terrain accounts for much of VU2GSM's 
solid signals into the station. Forget 4-square arrays over good soil, 
Forget stacked arrays up to 200 ft AGL. Apart from verticals on salt 
water, nothing else compares with high horizonal antennas into sloping 
terrain when the statistical mode is 1 degree above the horizon. When 
VU2GSM is +10/S9 here, I am certain he is hearing me on his dipole and 
he doesn't need WebSDR.


When I hear other NA stations calling VU2GSM on 40m, he cannot hear 
many, if not most of them. Of those he picks out, he struggles to copy 
unless they're from stations with excellent antenna systems - like 
those in the RHR group. So, if VU2GSM is routinely using WebSDR on 40m 
receive, his operating habits are not reflective of such claims.


Paul, W9AC






-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
Steve Babcock

Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2018 10:03 AM
To: topband 
Cc: Larry D Brailean ; Don Moman VE6JY 


Subject: Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use

I have been "sitting" on this for a few weeks wondering if I should 
share this information, but after seeing some spots yesterday for 
VU2GSM on 160m, I decided that others may appreciate it.

I know I would.

If you have worked Kanti, VU2GSM recently on the low bands...40, 80 or 
160 you should be aware that he was most likely

Re: Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Like Paul, I seriously doubt that Kanti is using a remote receiver.  I 
have worked him on 30, 40 and 80M and have had occasional correspondence 
with him regarding his relatively recently acquired Expert 1.3K amp.  
The signal reports he has given me seem appropriate for the times and 
band conditions at the time of the QSOs.  I'm confident that had he been 
using a remote RX, it would have come up in our correspondence.


73, Joe
K2XX


Paul Christensen 
Sunday, January 14, 2018 12:29 PM
No doubt some ops are using WebSDR on receive, but in this case, I am 
skeptical of the skepticism. Here's why:


I routinely work VU2GSM on 40m GL-LP in the early morning hours on a 
210-degree bearing from FL to VU. He is consistently S9, peaking +10 
dB on my Elecraft K3. The remote station I share with N4CC is in 
Hilliard, FL just east of the St. Mary's River. Our antenna is a 
full-size 4 el. M2 40m OWA at 140 ft AGL.


On the 210 deg. bearing, the land slopes almost immediately into the 
river valley. VU2GSM's solid signals aren't an isolated event; he is 
that strong most of the LP season. VU2GSM cannot be detected on my 
backyard dipole at my home QTH 30 miles to the south in Jacksonville. 
The dipole is up 35 ft. AGL. When I say he can't be detected, I mean 
there's no trace on the dipole whatsoever, not even a blip that rises 
above the SDR noise floor. That's to be expected on a low dipole if 
the arriving angle is skimming the horizon.


According to HFTA, the statistical mode from FL to VU is 1 degree 
above the horizon. The sloping terrain accounts for much of VU2GSM's 
solid signals into the station. Forget 4-square arrays over good soil, 
Forget stacked arrays up to 200 ft AGL. Apart from verticals on salt 
water, nothing else compares with high horizonal antennas into sloping 
terrain when the statistical mode is 1 degree above the horizon. When 
VU2GSM is +10/S9 here, I am certain he is hearing me on his dipole and 
he doesn't need WebSDR.


When I hear other NA stations calling VU2GSM on 40m, he cannot hear 
many, if not most of them. Of those he picks out, he struggles to copy 
unless they're from stations with excellent antenna systems - like 
those in the RHR group. So, if VU2GSM is routinely using WebSDR on 40m 
receive, his operating habits are not reflective of such claims.


Paul, W9AC






-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
Steve Babcock

Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2018 10:03 AM
To: topband 
Cc: Larry D Brailean ; Don Moman VE6JY 


Subject: Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use

I have been "sitting" on this for a few weeks wondering if I should 
share this information, but after seeing some spots yesterday for 
VU2GSM on 160m, I decided that others may appreciate it.

I know I would.

If you have worked Kanti, VU2GSM recently on the low bands...40, 80 or 
160 you should be aware that he was most likely RX using a NA webSDR. 
The links below are PDF copies of email correspondence with Kanti 
confirming that this is routine for him.The emails are between both 
VE5UA, myself and VU2GSM. (Please read the email threads from the 
"bottom up" to be chronological.)


https://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharing 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MdZFLJrwcBs-vHh0PNZc2DSevu3lrwcg/view?usp=sharing 



To be clear, I do not judge Kanti for his desire to augment his rx, 
and do not think it is wrong. If he chooses to use Ham radio this way 
that is his choice. However, I myself do not wish to include a "half" 
QSO toward my own (personal) DXCC count, and perhaps others will feel 
the same hence this email. I also don't judge others that are good 
with such webSDR QSOs since each has his own goals and objectives.


Here is some background. I have been working VU2GSM frequently and 
with ease on 40m in the morning and evening. He would respond almost 
immediately to my calls which seemed odd. More typical is Rakash 
VU2RAK who has a great signal but usually can't copy me, though we 
have QSOd a few times when conditions are exceptional.
While at a local ham lunch, I mentioned this, and Don VE6JY said that 
Kanti is often logged into his webSDR. The following week I copied 
VU2GSM on 80m in the evening with very light copy with my 2el Yagi and 
1000' beverage (diversity rx with K3). He answered immediately and we 
had a QSO. I was suspicious. I emailed Don VE6JY and he confirmed that 
at that time Kanti was indeed logged into his SDR.

I deleted the QSO from my log.
This then precipitated the e-mail correspondence which I share on the 
attached links.


There is little doubt

Re: Topband: 20 40 meter vertical dipole

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Dan, just my personal experiences.

I once lived on the second floor of a garden apartment in central NJ.  I 
was fortunate that a grove of local type trees was allowed to exist by 
the builders and was accessible outside my bedroom window.  On Memorial 
Day at dusk, while most residents were distracted by BBQ parties or at 
the beach, I slinked out and shot up a fishing line into one of the 
trees in the grove.  I quickly dragged up a #24 wire between my window 
and the tree.  It was no more than 25 feet high and probably 40 feet 
long. I tuned it with a simple HB L-Match.  I ran a ground wire along 
the floor from my HT-44 transmitter to the cold water pipe on the toilet 
bowl of my bathroom for a ground connection. It was far from short, i.e, 
ideal.  For years, I routinely worked many CW and SSB QSOs, DX and 
otherwise, on several bands.  My greatest delight was getting up one 
Saturday morning and working a KG6 or some other Pacific entity that is 
no longer extant.


I have since operated from many foreign QTHs, from Europe to Asia to the 
Pacific, under far from ideal conditions, and usually managed to get 
some form of end fed wire up, often under surreptitious conditions.  
It's really quite amazing that I wasn't arrested.  At any rate, I 
strongly recommend an end fed random wire for an easy solution to a less 
than ideal QTH.  Just get one end as high as possible.  The key is a 
short link to ground to your rig and tuner ground connection. The 
ground's tolerable length increases as the frequency of operation gets 
lower.  Barring that, a paralleled bunch of 1/4 wavelength 
counterpoises, one for each band of interest, attached to system ground 
and extended conveniently, but not critically,. will often substitute.  
My experiences indicate that it's no worse than the equivalent dipole.


73, Joe
K2XX

Dan Bookwalter via Topband 
Sunday, August 20, 2017 4:51 PM
Sorry guys I know this is top band reflector , but ,. you are used to 
dealing with people with very compromised antenna situations...

here is my problem...
I want to get on the air , live/rent in a double ( i freaking hate it 
, situation is what it is for now) in a neighborhood , I can probably 
get away with maybe a 50ft vertical wire , will have to use rg8x and 
remove one of the catv entrances to get it outside...
Radials are out of the question , I was thinking , can I do some sort 
of vert dipole arrangement ??? obviously will be limited to the 100w 
out of the 1KMP...

thoughts ? other ideas ??
Dan



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Re: Topband: 160 meter 1/4 vertical

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

Hi Herb, just curious.  I presume that was essentially a full wave delta 
loop.  How was it on 169M on receive?  Compared to Beverage?  Other?


73, Joe
K2XX


Herbert Schoenbohm 
Monday, July 3, 2017 7:00 PM
Many have tried balloon or kite supported 5/8 wave verticals on 160 with
disappointing results. I used to have a 308 self supporting tower which i
could use at night on 160 but it never ever beat a corner fed delta loop
supported by the same tower.

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Peter Voelpel 
Monday, July 3, 2017 6:38 PM
Please check the pattern on 60 and 40m where the 37m high vertical is 
going

to be used.
You certainly will see the high angle lobes.

73
Peter

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Charles
Moizeau
Sent: Dienstag, 4. Juli 2017 00:10
To: Herbert Schoenbohm; TopBand List
Subject: Re: Topband: 160 meter 1/4 vertical

The free-space pattern of current in a vertical (and also horizontal)
antenna is crescent shaped with its maximum at the midpoint, and a minimum
at each end. It shows nothing that could be termed an extraneous lobe. Any
such lobes would seem to be the result of improper matching, or more 
likely,
the fact that in the real world such an antenna is in an environment 
that is

certainly not free space.
higher angles.


---
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Charles Moizeau 
Monday, July 3, 2017 6:09 PM
The free-space pattern of current in a vertical (and also  horizontal) antenna 
is crescent shaped with its maximum at the midpoint, and a minimum at each end. 
 It shows nothing that could be termed an extraneous lobe.  Any such lobes 
would seem to be the result of improper matching, or more likely, the fact that 
in the real world such an antenna is in an environment that is certainly not 
free space.


The Franklin collinear antenna is usually shown either with in-line 1/4-wave 
inverted coaxial segments, or for wire antennas with quarter-wave decoupling 
stubs hanging down from the adjacent ends of the in-line half-wave radiating 
sections.  For the latter, the quarter-wave decoupling  stubs can be reshaped 
so that they run parallel to the half-wave radiating sections, and this makes 
for a neater configuration.


Years ago 73 Magazine had an article describing a 7/8 wavelength vertical 
mobile antenna for VHF (two meters).  The bottom section was 1/2 wave and 
presented a high input impedance, and I believe used a LC matching arrangement 
to the 50-Ohm coaxial feedline.  The top section was 3/8 wavelength and 
decoupled from the bottom section with just a low-value capacitor.  I seem to 
recall that the overall dimensions were for a length that was 5/6 wavelength, 
but that is only five percent less than 7/8 wavelength.  The article showed 
comparative field-strength readings that showed superior results for this 
antenna versus 1/4, 1/2and 5/8 wavelength antennas.  Clearly, size matters.


73,


Charles, W2SH




From: Topband  on behalf of Herbert 
Schoenbohm
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 4:46 PM
To: Jos Mols; TopBand List
Subject: Re: Topband: 160 meter 1/4 vertical

Forget about the high impedance issues on 40 and also 80.  IMHO the best
and easiest solution for you is to make some simple wire decoupling sleeves
or wire cage for the higher bands and they could be current fed like 160
meters and much less complicated to feed without extensive matching.  Also
1/.2 wave vertical are notorious for not working well with some obnoxious
lobes.  The only full wave verticals that I know to work are of the
Franklyn antenna design and require a decoupling at the 1/2 part with the
other 1/2 wave above it.  This is said to produce some low angle gain and
essentially double the radiated signal without the wasteful lobes at much
higher angles.

On Mon, Jul 3, 2017 at 3:53 PM, Jos Mols  wrote:


Hi guys, currently working on getting a radial net worked into my garden&
pavement. Appr 40 radials ranging from 10 to 40+ meters.
I can raise vertical to appr 37 meters. main interest is 160 meters.
I would liketo use this vertical for 80, 60 and 40 meters. Considering
end-fed configuration for 80/40 so making hi impedance match. Wondering if
  anyone has expereince with different options to achieve the same?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Jos PA0LSB
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Re: Topband: RTTY Beacon 1790 KHZ

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

No information, but, FWIW, K2ORS used to be Jean Shepherd of WOR and 
Limelight fame.


73, Joe
K2XX


Joe Galicic 
Thursday, December 22, 2016 4:52 AM
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: SP conditions

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX via Topband]

I was only doing S&P so I was continuously tuning the band.  Conditions 
here in SW VA were pretty poor.  I only worked five EU stations, all in 
Eastern EU.  They generally were good copy despite the QRN and showed up 
here around 0400Z.  KV4FZ and NP2X were weak at first, but their sigs 
picked up as the night progressed and they became quite strong.  While I 
was trying to work N7DD in AZ, he threw in the towel and went QRT 
because the QRN was so bad at his QTH.  I did work him later though.  
California and  the west coast did not exist for me.  The furthest west 
station that I worked was in Las Vegas.  The local QRN here seemed to 
let up around 0430Z (local) Saturday.


Conditions Sunday morning were very poor.  There was no sign of Asian DX 
or even the west coast.  Furthest west signal worked was Colorado.


Tim, I was copying SM5EDX Sunday night too.  While he was easy copy, he 
wasn't as strong here, but you're about 250 miles NE of me.


At this QTH, I have found conditions on 160M for this year and last year 
unusually poor.  80M has generally been poor this season also.


73, Joe
K2XX


Tim Shoppa 
Monday, December 28, 2015 11:22 AM
I felt results to EU were average to above average. I was very surprised
and pleased when two EU's were among the first replies to my CQ's.

I was very surprised in other direction, in initial hours how few
midwesterners were calling in. Usually I rack up several W9's with my 
first
CQ's although it is well before their sundown. Pretty soon I figured 
out it

must be thunderstorm activity in midwest.

In initial hours I was not hearing much thunderstorm noise myself, but for
a while around 0300-0400Z there were a couple times I ripped my headphones
off and threw them on the ground myself, the lightning noise was so bad,
even though I was far away from the bad weather. Other than that hour 
I did
not feel hindered by thunderstorm noise myself, but I'm sure a lot of 
folks

were scared to even plug in their antenna.

I worked a couple loud and easy W6's and W7's but not many at all. I think
this may have been a very rare year where I worked a lot more EU than W6's
and W7's.

I just looked at my reversebeacon reports and I feel I did very well 
to EU,

much better than expected given my few reversebeacon spots in EU.

Last night (night after Stew), SM5EDX had huge signal on 160M and I worked
him easy with 100W.

Tim N3QE

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Art Snapper 
Sunday, December 27, 2015 2:24 PM
I was a little disappointed with conditions here in Michigan last night.
It seemed more like the Summer Stew with the lightning static from the
storms in Texas and the Upper Mississippi Valley.

I'll refrain from any comments on manmade climate change.

73
Art NK8X

ᐧ
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Re: Topband: IT9/LY5W

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Sam, you were 57/89 here in SW VA for quite some time last night.  What 
are you using for an antenna, etc. over there?  The only other EU that I 
heard was G3JMJ, but he was only about S3.  I was surprised that there 
weren't more EU stations coming through.


73, Joe
K2XX


Saulius Zalnerauskas 
Thursday, November 06, 2014 12:07 AM
GM from Sicily,

another 48 contacts put to the LOG.
Great signal from Arizona N7GP, also was no troubles to get 2 N.Mexico
stations - N5BG, N5IA.
No many takers, but I enjoyed these 100 minutes.
Maybe I must be earlier? At 0200z?
Well, will try next night.

73, Sam IT9/LY5W
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Rich C 
Tuesday, November 04, 2014 2:49 PM
Thanks for the report Sam I have been listening for you from Oregon
but the propagation has been lousy so far this season. Hopefully
conditions will change so we can hear you here on the WC.

Rich K7ZV



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Saulius Zalnerauskas 
Tuesday, November 04, 2014 2:36 PM
GE,

Tonight I was on Top Band for 2 hours till our S.R. in Sicily island 
05.30z.

47 QSO so far with USA.
Many TX, 9 and 8th area, but nobody from west coast. Only few - 0.
I not have beverages antena's antenna now, only before CQ WW contest it is
possible.
Listening with Vertical, dipole and Apex Loop.

I will try to show again tonight. Let we change with reports.

If You need QSL - 100% Direct when

*back home to Lithuania in December.*

*73 Sam IT9/LY5W at II9P Contest station*
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Re: Topband: Sprites

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Bruce, I can't comment on the sprites, but I did observe the 
disappearance of what had been several, fairly strong EU sigs here 
around 0445Z and commented to W5XZ about it on the Low Band Chat.  It 
seemed that there was a sudden drop-off, if not total disappearance, of 
all signals from EU.  OTOH, while OM2XW was mostly in the mud here at 
that time, W5XZ was copying him at S8.  So it may have been just a 
refocusing of the spotlight.


73, Joe
K2XX


Bruce 
Friday, November 22, 2013 12:32 PM
Noted a sudden closure on 160 meter band last night EST. Science is 
finding more about the upper atmosphere to ionosphere discharge.
Started wondering if one had temporarily neutralized the reflective 
properties

PBS has recorded recent activity of sprites.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/edge-of-space.html


73
Bruce-K1FZ
www.qsl.net/k1fz/pennantnotes.html
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Re: Topband: West coast into southern EU

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Agelos, conditions appear to be very spotty.  I was QRV at that time and 
the stations in the midwest (W8s and W9s) were working MD0CCE with ease 
while I was strucggling to hear him.  He finally did come up out of the 
noise long enough to work him.  There were also several other spots that 
were nil at my QTH.  Conditions are still rather unstable here.


73, Joe
K2XX


Agelos-SV3RF 
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 5:22 AM
This morning at my SR peak.
K5WG at 04:34 OK.
N7NR  at 04:52 CA.
The beginning of the new Topband season looks very promising.
73'
Agelos- SV3RF
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Topband: The Sun That Did Not Roar (Article on Paucity of Sunspots in Current Cycle in NYT)

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

FYI:   
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/science/space/the-sun-that-did-not-roar.html?ref=global-home

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Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Vertical vs inverted L question/opinions

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

G3JEJ uses an inverted L, although I forget its dimensions.  He has one 
of the most consistent signals from across the pond at my QTH.  FWIW.


73, Joe
K2XX


Dave G4GED 
Tuesday, August 13, 2013 3:04 AM

It's popular because relatively few operators have the space or 
facility for two tall strong end supports.
The L has always worked very well indeed for me and my DXCC score says 
so :-)





_
Topband Reflector



Herb Schoenbohm 
Sunday, August 11, 2013 6:15 PM

Why is an inverted "L" apparently so popular on 160 when it wastes so 
much RF as a cloud warmer?  It is so easy converting an inverted "L" 
into a Marconi T.  The flat top can be 130 feet fed exactly in the 
center  by a single drop wire to the ground with the appropriate 
network.  A 65 foot drop wire comes very close to 50 ohms and any 
reactance can be removed with a series capacitor. Apart for the 
cancellation of high angle radiation this configuration is some 
distance away from support structures.  So many try to configure an 
inverted L by using their metal towers as supports for the fed end.  
This sometimes means you are just shock exciting the metal tower and 
your feed impedance results may be all over the ball park.


I challenge anyone to find a situation where an Inverted "L"  will 
outperform a properly configured Marconi "T" with an ample ground 
system on either.




Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ





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Topband Reflector



Don Johnson 
Sunday, August 11, 2013 5:48 PM
I have not seen a length mentioned for the inverted L, so thought I 
would note that by making the inverted L longer than a quarter wave 
moves the high current portion up the vertical. I had good luck with 
an inverted L about 3/8 wave long. By good luck I mean DXCC plus some 
on 160. I still am trying to improve. In any event feeding the 
inverted L with a series capacitor made tuning a breeze. By going 
longer than a quarter wave made the feed point inductive and raised 
the R value closer to 50.

73,
Don
N4DJ

Sent from my iPhone
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Topband: LU5DM or LU5FC or Both?

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Last night, just before heading for bed at around 0400Z, I checked 160M 
and distinctly heard LU5DM calling CQ on 1834 KHz.  I worked him and was 
quite delighted since I had never even heard LU on top band before.  I 
proceeded to make out a QSL and envelopes, and then listened to1834 
again where a pileup had developed.  However, now the LU station was 
signing LU5FC on the same frequency and at about the same strength as LU5DM.


I suspect that there were two operators with different calls using the 
same station.  Before I send my QSL, etc. to LU5DM, can anyone confirm 
that LU5DM was indeed the station originally on that frequency at that time?


Thanks for your help.

73, Joe
K2XX
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Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: rx array proximity to barbed wire fence

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Jeff, I live on what was once a pasture with barbed wire fencing about 
90' diagonally from one corner of the 4-square.  I didn't worry about 
the fence when I first installed the array and it seemed to work OK.  
When I was having what turned out to be a hardware problem, I cut the 
barbed wire for about an 100' length just to make sure it wasn't 
contributing to my problem.  As best I could tell, there was no effect 
on receive performance either way.


73, Joe
K2XX

On 12/11/2012 2:36 PM, Jeff Blaine wrote:

I am considering installing one of these hi-z or DXE buffered-type receiving 
4-square arrays for 160/80.  The best place on the property is on the north 
west corner - in a location about 400’ from the transmit vertical.  It’s got a 
clear shot NE to EU and is about 600’ from the nearest house.

However, that NW property corner location has old barbed wire fences that runs 
along the property line in the corner.

I am curious if anyone has experience with this kind of array near barbed wire 
fencing.

Thanks!

73/jeff/ac0c
www.ac0c.com
alpha-charlie-zero-charlie

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Re: Topband: Delaware report

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Jon, I'm usually using diversity reception here with a top loaded 
vertical and a Hi-Z 4-square.  I have also noticed that lately the sigs 
are louder on the vertical, but it seems to vary from night to night.  
Conditions in general have been the best of the season during the past 
week or 10 days here.


Thanks for the tip on the Asia openings.  I'm going to have to exercise 
some discipline and not just rely on my prostate to get me up at 1000Z.:-)


73, Joe
K2XX
SW VA

On 12/9/2012 9:45 AM, Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:
In the past week or more -- including the ARRL 160 contest -- it 
seemed the transmit vertical arrays were hearing better than the 
Beverages in many cases. Not sure what to make of that yet.

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Re: Topband: Boring Report - ZS1REC and 4Z1UF

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Europe was coming through fairly well around 0500-0630Z here in SW VA 
last night, but there was lots of deep QSB.  I copied G3JMJ (who was not 
copying me very well), DF2PY, LA4HIA, LA3ANA, DL1AWI, OZ7YY and others.  
While conditions seemed much poorer than several years ago, they were 
the best I've experienced so far this season.  G3JMJ was copyable here 
for several hours with S4-5 sigs.  OZ7YY and DF2PY were S6-7 at times.


73, Joe
K2XX

On 11/10/2012 10:29 AM, Tree wrote:

The band seems to be coming alive here in Boring, Oregon.

Last night - I was able to copy ZS1REC for a good 10 minutes around his
sunrise.  However, Raoul had too much noise to copy me or N9RV.

This morning - I warmed up the shack calling CQ and was heard by 4Z1UF -
around my sunrise.  Ilya was able to do an antenna check with me and
reported I was louder when beaming North as opposed to broadside E/W and he
could not hear me at all when I beamed South (two element phased
verticals).  I wasn't able to hear him well enough to make a QSO however.

These two "half" QSOs are very encouraging however.

73 Tree N6TR/7
Boring, OR
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Re: Topband: 706T on 160 and 80

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

Yea! Verily!

OTOH, my audiologist would like to extend his heartfelt thanks for the 
increased business and income.

73, Joe
K2XX
> Even if I don't manage to work them on 160, my main complaint isn't with
> their operating but with the miserable clods who can't resist transmitting
> on their frequency.  A special place must be reserved in radio hell for
> those who tune up on frequency.  Almost as annoying are those who insist on
> sending just a dit or two on their frequency when I've got my headphones on
> and the AF gain turned way up.  It's like someone just slapped me on my
> ears!

___
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Re: Topband: Anybody has used Hi-Z for sale?

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Ignacy, why is Hi-Z not selling?  Has the patent issue resurfaced?

73, Joe
K2XX

On 1/6/2012 4:51 PM, Ignacy Misztal wrote:
> HI-Z is not selling so I am asking whether anybody has used Hi-Z for sale?
> All except HI-Z 8, for which I have no space.
> Ignacy, NO9E
> ___
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>
>
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Topband: Noise Problem Solved

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Several weeks ago, I posted the following on the reflector regarding a 
noise problem I've had all season long:

> Regarding noise on 160M, I have been consistently observing all season 
> long a broad signal, reminiscent of a plasma TV, centered around 1836 
> KHz.  Since it seems to be on 24/7 and my closest neighbor is a half 
> mile away, I don't think it's a TV.
>> It's more or less centered on 1836 and is quite wobbly and varies in 
>> amplitude and frequency.  It's about 2.5 KHz wide, and it doesn't 
>> vary in strength when I change directions on the RX array. 

Well, whatever it's source is, it was getting into the shack via a 
common mode path.  I use about 300 feet of flooded RG-6 between the RX 
4-square and the shack.  There was no common mode choke in the system.  
It just occurred to me this morning that common mode transmission might 
be the problem.  The signal was reduced by at least 30 dB and virtually 
eliminated by winding about eight turns of the coax (RG-59 inside the 
shack) around a #31 mix, 2.5" ferrite core.  Originally, I tried up to 
six of the common snap-on, split core ferrites (presumably mix #43) with 
very little effect.  The difference with the #31 mix was like day and night.

I thought my experience might be of use to others who have reported 
similar problems.

73, Joe
K2XX


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Re: Topband: Another good LP day on Top

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Jon, you're only about 300 miles NE of me, and things weren't that 
good here.  I did hear KH2/N2NL via the LP here, but he was tough copy 
with deep QSB.  I kept switching between north and south, but he was 
consistently stronger from the south.  I did work VK3IO, but he was not 
great copy and, again, QSB was deep.

I briefly heard XU7ACY via SP, but it was only for a short period.  I 
continued to listen for quite some time, but he never became copyable.  
OTOH, there were many calling and working him from the NE and SE.  
Similarly, I briefly heard DU1IST, but not a peep from BU2AQ  or DU1/JJ5GMJ.

OTOH, the signals from Europe around 0400-0600Z were the loudest I've 
heard all season.  There were many real S8 sigs, especially from 
DL-land.  OM2XW was a real S9 here at times, and the band sounded like 
20M until about 0600Z.

Let's hope that the weekend brings more Asian activity during these good 
conditions.  Now, I have a good reason to stay up all night on Saturday. 
:-)

73, Joe
K2XX

On 12/30/2011 8:08 AM, Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:
> The December Doldrums are officially over.
>
> For the second day we had good long path/skewed path conditions in the
> pre-dawn hours.
>
> This morning's excitement started with VK3IO (579) calling in at 1018z
> and VK3ZL (599!) at 1037z. Often when the VK's are this loud it's a sign
> the band will be poor to the tougher paths in Asia and the Pacific, so I
> didn't get my hopes up.
>
> But then KH2/N2NL came through nicely on the direct path at 1100z.
>
> And a few minutes later, Hiro, DU1/JJ5GMJ, showed up on 1811.5 and was
> being heard in New England. And I could copy him here in Delaware! DU
> has been a long, hard chase for me, having heard my first (a US station
> portable there) around 1980 when I was in Connecticut. I heard a few
> others over the years, including a 5-year pursuit of DU9/N0NM, who I
> heard many, many times with no QSO. And I've heard DU1IST both in our
> morning and LP in the evening the past two years.
>
> But unlike some of the others, Hiro manages to hear stations quite well.
> And his 300 watts and inverted L put out a good signal. I was fortunate
> to get him in the log at 1110z (no. 314) and numerous others also had
> success. Thanks Hiro for your persistence!
>
> About this time BU2AQ also started coming through, peaking due south
> though later shifting sometimes to SSW. I was copying him up till 1200z.
> No prize for me today but Allison did work several East Coast stations.
>
> DU1IST also started CQ'ing, and while his signal was stronger than
> Hiro's, he has difficulty hearing and no QSO's were observed though he
> had many callers from the USA East Coast.
>
> Peter, XU7ACY, has had a strong signal here on the long path the past
> two days, and he gave many a new one today.
>
> Ross, 9M2AX, also was coming through again today but had some trouble
> with local thunderstorms there.
>
> In other years with these long and skewed path openings, as sunrise
> approached the Asian signals often would shift around to the short path.
> But that hasn't happened this week.
>
> 73/Jon AA1K
> Felton, Delaware
> www.aa1k.us
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Re: Topband: 160 Conditions

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Yes, last night (~0500Z) conditions were about as good as I've heard 
them here this season.  As many have commented, conditions on 80 and 
160M have been unusually poor this season.  But 80M seemed to have 
awakened a week or so ago and 160M now seems to be following suit.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 12/28/2011 6:28 AM, Tom Boucher wrote:
> Who says top-band conditions are in the doldrums? 160 was really singing this 
> morning and signals from the mid-west and west were like I've never heard 
> them. In under an hour at 0500Z, 30 US stations and 17 states worked. Jim 
> N7JW (UT) was knocking the calibrated S meter of my K3 up to 20 over and 
> Randy W6OAR (CA) was over the 9 when we worked.
>
> The evening of 6th December was also something else with 26 JAs worked and 
> many more heard in the pile up.
>
> Let's hope these conditions continue!
>
> 73&  HNY
> Tom G3OLB
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Re: Topband: 1820 BCB + My Problem Partially Solved

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Don and George (K2MYR), thanks for the correction.  In all honesty, I 
had no idea what the band limits were on the AM BC band.  I thought the 
top might be in the 1600s somewhere.  I looked it up on the web, and it 
gave me 520 to 1610 KHz.  Obviously, that was old information.  
Nevertheless, the out of band sigs that I was observing were above 1700.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 12/25/2011 12:37 PM, Don Moman VE6JY wrote:
> MW stations have been legally broadcasting in the so called X band from
> 1610 to 1710 since about 1997.
>
> *On Sun, Dec 25, 2011 at 5:00 PM, Joe Giacobello, K2XXwrote:
> *
>
>> *  You said it, Tim!  I started tuning around the AM band on Thursday and*
> * noticed that in addition to the spurious AM stations on 1840, there were*
>
> * several BC AM signals above 1610 KHz.  They shouldn't be there.*
>
> *   Then I **noticed that my 4-square RX array had lost directionality.  I
> use*
>
>> * diversity reception on 160 and 80M with the array connected to my SDR-IQ
>> *
> * and main RX and a vertical on the sub RX.  Obviously, the SDR's output*
>
>
> Even though I am about 100 km from the nearest MW transmitters, almost
> anything I do that isn't a good connection causes all sorts of IM products.
>   It's a constant battle!   Fortunately many of the small whisker diodes
> that cause the issues are destroyed while transmitting, so while the band
> may be full of products at the start of the contest, it quiets up once you
> start transmitting.  But they start growing back after the contest
>
> 73 Don
> VE6JY
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Re: Topband: 1820 BCB + My Problem Partially Solved

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  You said it, Tim!  I started tuning around the AM band on Thursday and 
noticed that in addition to the spurious AM stations on 1840, there were 
several BC AM signals above 1610 KHz.  They shouldn't be there.  Then I 
noticed that my 4-square RX array had lost directionality.  I use 
diversity reception on 160 and 80M with the array connected to my SDR-IQ 
and main RX and a vertical on the sub RX.  Obviously, the SDR's output 
is what's shown in the spectrum display and what my observations of the 
1840 AM signal and the signals on 1810 KHz, etc. were based on.

I switched things around so the vertical was connected to the SDR. The 
1840 AM signal and the 1810 and related signals disappeared.  I went out 
and physically checked the array and found that one of the elements had 
shimmied down its mount so that its bottom was in contact with the 
ground.  After making repairs, things returned to normal: directionality 
returned to the array, the 1840 AM signal was gone and the 1810, etc. 
signals were minor blips.  It appears that the element's contact with 
the ground was acting like a detector and the resultant signal was mixed 
and amplified by the element's local amplifier. (I probably should 
install a BC trap to get rid of those blips.)  I've contacted both AM 
stations and told them that the problem originated here.

The original problem with the strong wobbly signal on 1836 with smaller 
peaks on 1808.5 and 1847 still persists.  But since I have been 
exploring the AM bands in AM mode with 9 KHz selectivity, I've gotten 
some clues to its origin.  It may be some kind of motor control or 
related.  I have eliminated my own house as the source.  The nearest 
houses are at least a half mile away.  The hunt goes on.

Thanks to all who offered suggestions.  Happy Holidays to all.

73, Joe
K2XX
On 12/22/2011 11:53 AM, Tim Duffy K3LR wrote:
> That is a VERY important point Joe.
>
> "getting mixed somehow"- often occurs without fault from either of the two
> mixed stations - but as a result of a nearby rectification area (the right
> metal hardware (rectifiers) coupled to a antenna of some sort with good
> primary RF energy from the stations) - that maybe located many miles from
> both stations - but "breeds" the mix. And that is what you hear on 160 and
> 80.
[snip]
> 73,
> Tim K3LR
>
>
> Subject: Re: Topband: 1820 BCB
>
>
> At this point, I'm convinced that the source of the problem
> is the 24 hour station and that the WPIN and WGFC signals are getting
> mixed somehow to produce the AM signal on 1840.
>
> 73, Joe
> K2XX
>
> I started to search in earnest for the source of the noise.  
> Typically, I only tune 160M between 1815 and 1840 and use that range 
> on my SDR-IQ panadapter.
> Today, I opened up the range and immediately saw an AM signal on 
> 1840.  I was able to make out the audio and identified two local AM 
> stations: WGFC (1030 KHz) and WPIN (810 Khz).  The first is a low 
> power Mom and Pop station about eight miles away and the second is a 
> Blue Grass and Gospel station about 15 miles away.  Both are daytime 
> stations and QRT at around 5 PM at this time of year.
>
>  I contacted both stations and both were extremely agreeable and 
> helpful.  It turned out that the engineer at WPIN was a very 
> knowledgeable ham who also worked 160M.  He was able to control the 
> 810 TX remotely, and while we were on the phone together, he turned it 
> off.  The AM signal on 1840 disappeared, but there was still a strong, 
> narrow carrier. The carrier was also visible and equally strong on 
> 1830, 1820, etc.
>
> After installing an RX 4-square last year, I had observed very low 
> level signals every 10 Khz on 160M, but they were so weak that I 
> ignored them.  However, this season they were somewhat stronger and 
> today, as the night progressed, they became extremely strong, 
> comparable to W1AW's S9 signal at this QTH.  Because the signals 
> tonight were as strong as I'd ever heard them, I could detect some 
> audio, but it was unintelligible.  I also observed that the broad 
> signal around 1836 was as strong as I'd ever seen it, and there was a 
> similar, though weaker, signal centered around 1808.5 that I'd never 
> seen before. 

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: 1820 BCB

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  There have been some interesting developments and observations 
regarding my noise problem on 1836 that I had mentioned in a previous 
message.  (See below.)

First of all, I'd like to thank those folks who responded to my post 
with some excellent suggestions.

I started to search in earnest for the source of the noise.  Typically, 
I only tune 160M between 1815 and 1840 and use that range on my SDR-IQ 
panadapter.
Today, I opened up the range and immediately saw an AM signal on 1840.  
I was able to make out the audio and identified two local AM stations: 
WGFC (1030 KHz) and WPIN (810 Khz).  The first is a low power Mom and 
Pop station about eight miles away and the second is a Blue Grass and 
Gospel station about 15 miles away.  Both are daytime stations and QRT 
at around 5 PM at this time of year.

  I contacted both stations and both were extremely agreeable and 
helpful.  It turned out that the engineer at WPIN was a very 
knowledgeable ham who also worked 160M.  He was able to control the 810 
TX remotely, and while we were on the phone together, he turned it off.  
The AM signal on 1840 disappeared, but there was still a strong, narrow 
carrier. The carrier was also visible and equally strong on 1830, 1820, etc.

After installing an RX 4-square last year, I had observed very low level 
signals every 10 Khz on 160M, but they were so weak that I ignored 
them.  However, this season they were somewhat stronger and today, as 
the night progressed, they became extremely strong, comparable to W1AW's 
S9 signal at this QTH.  Because the signals tonight were as strong as 
I'd ever heard them, I could detect some audio, but it was 
unintelligible.  I also observed that the broad signal around 1836 was 
as strong as I'd ever seen it, and there was a similar, though weaker, 
signal centered around 1808.5 that I'd never seen before.

I had to QRT because of other commitments, but I will pursue the problem 
further tomorrow.  In view of Rick's comments and the WDOR problem on 
1820 reported by Larry, I wanted to add my current experiences to the 
discussion.  At this point, I'm convinced that the source of the problem 
is the 24 hour station and that the WPIN and WGFC signals are getting 
mixed somehow to produce the AM signal on 1840.

73, Joe
K2XX

/
> Regarding noise on 160M, I have been consistently observing all season 
> long a broad signal, reminiscent of a plasma TV, centered around 1836 
> KHz.  Since it seems to be on 24/7 and my closest neighbor is a half 
> mile away, I don't think it's a TV.
>> It's more or less centered on 1836 and is quite wobbly and varies in 
>> amplitude and frequency.  It's about 2.5 KHz wide, and it doesn't 
>> vary in strength when I change directions on the RX array. 
/


On 12/21/2011 2:44 PM, Rick Karlquist wrote:
> lrp...@comcast.net wrote:
>> The BCB on 1820 has become considerably louder lately. The interference
>> has been identified as WDOR  www.wdor.com out of WI. As the audio is
>> intelligible. I know of a couple of Emails that have been sent to the
>> station. Maybe if more polite Emails are sent to the station corrective
>> actions will be taken. Larry W8VVG
>> ___
>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> Intermods on even multiples of 10 kHz are simply a fact of life
> on 160 meters.  Never operate exactly on one of these.  In the
> recent Stew Perry, a station was absolutely zero beat at
> 1820.  I was lucky to be able to copy him.  He was probably
> wondering why it was so easy to hold that frequency.
>
> In the rest of the world, change 10 kHz to 9 kHz.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
> -
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.1890 / Virus Database: 2109/4694 - Release Date: 12/21/11
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Noise problem question

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  A local TBér got back to me and, apparently, it's local to me.  I have 
no idea what it is, but it might be someone's plasma TV.  However, it's 
there 24/7, so that doesn't make sense.

It's more or less centered on 1836 and is quite wobbly and varies in 
amplitude and frequency.  It's about 2.5 KHz wide, and it doesn't vary 
in strength when I change directions on the RX array.  I'll have to 
check for a badnik somewhere in the house.

73, Joe
K2XX



On 12/19/2011 2:12 PM, Steven Raas wrote:
> Altho its not a broad signal .. quite the oppisite, I've recently learned
> of the WSPR crowd is running prop beacons @ 1836.6 Just below where the
> majority of the JT65 Activity is, I have rcvd these signals here @ my
> location, along with the Call&  Grid they send the TX pwr in dBm Most are
> in the 40 - 30 dBm power level.
>
> Do you have or know someone that has one of those MFJ noise cancelation
> boxes that uses a 'sense' antenna and you adjust the phase?
>
> I live in the depths of a big city.. and noise is status quo here.. I
> havent tried one of these devices yet.. if I find a local ham that has
> one.. ide Like to borrow it and see if it would be a viable addition to my
> operations here.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Steve Raas
> N2JDQ
>
> On Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 1:55 PM, Joe Giacobello, K2XX  wrote:
>
>>   Regarding noise on 160M, I have been consistently observing all season
>> long a broad signal, reminiscent of a plasma TV, centered around 1836
>> KHz.  Since it seems to be on 24/7 and my closest neighbor is a half
>> mile away, I don't think it's a TV.  Has anyone else seen this signal or
>> is it just local to me?
>>
>> 73, Joe
>> K2XX
>>
>> On 12/19/2011 8:24 AM, Mike(W5UC) wrote:
>>> On 12/18/2011 1:36 PM, W5UN wrote:
>>>> I'm looking for input from someone who has experienced a similar
>>>> situation as I describe below.
>>>>
>>>> About 3 months ago I began experiencing severe noise on top
>>>> band.  It's a  constant white noise which begins to drop off above
>>>> 2.5 mHz, and is hardly noticeable on 80, and not there at all on 40
>>>> meters and above. Every once and a while the noise will drop off
>>>> completely, only to return a few minutes later. It is there about 98%
>>>> of the time.The severity seems to vary a little, but is typically
>>>> S9+15 db when present, and S3 during the rare times it drops out..
>>>> This noise is coming from the eastern direction, about a mile from
>>>> here. There are power lines.there, and these appear to be the source,
>>>> however there are similar power lines of the same voltage here in
>>>> other directions, including one to the southwest about 800 feet away,
>>>> but that one has no noise. Has anyone experienced such noise as this?
>>>> I need to see if I can track this down and  get it fixed. Any help
>>>> will be appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Dave, W5UN
>>> Good Morning Dave:
>>>
>>> I'm not hearing that here in Lufkin, so it possibly local for you.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Mike, W5UC
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> ___
>>>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>>>>
>>> ___
>>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>>>
>>>
>>> -
>>> No virus found in this message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 2012.0.1890 / Virus Database: 2108/4690 - Release Date: 12/19/11
>>>
>> ___
>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
> -
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.1890 / Virus Database: 2108/4690 - Release Date: 12/19/11
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Noise problem question

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Regarding noise on 160M, I have been consistently observing all season 
long a broad signal, reminiscent of a plasma TV, centered around 1836 
KHz.  Since it seems to be on 24/7 and my closest neighbor is a half 
mile away, I don't think it's a TV.  Has anyone else seen this signal or 
is it just local to me?

73, Joe
K2XX

On 12/19/2011 8:24 AM, Mike(W5UC) wrote:
> On 12/18/2011 1:36 PM, W5UN wrote:
>> I'm looking for input from someone who has experienced a similar
>> situation as I describe below.
>>
>> About 3 months ago I began experiencing severe noise on top
>> band.  It's a  constant white noise which begins to drop off above
>> 2.5 mHz, and is hardly noticeable on 80, and not there at all on 40
>> meters and above. Every once and a while the noise will drop off
>> completely, only to return a few minutes later. It is there about 98%
>> of the time.The severity seems to vary a little, but is typically
>> S9+15 db when present, and S3 during the rare times it drops out..
>> This noise is coming from the eastern direction, about a mile from
>> here. There are power lines.there, and these appear to be the source,
>> however there are similar power lines of the same voltage here in
>> other directions, including one to the southwest about 800 feet away,
>> but that one has no noise. Has anyone experienced such noise as this?
>> I need to see if I can track this down and  get it fixed. Any help
>> will be appreciated.
>>
>> Dave, W5UN
> Good Morning Dave:
>
> I'm not hearing that here in Lufkin, so it possibly local for you.
>
> 73,
> Mike, W5UC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> ___
>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
> -
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.1890 / Virus Database: 2108/4690 - Release Date: 12/19/11
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: QRP Question

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  I agree with Roger.  Both "QSL" and "CFM" are inefficient ways for 
indicating solid copy on CW.  A simple "R" is all that's needed.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 12/13/2011 10:19 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:
> My pet peeve is the use of QSL. It's supposed to indicate the receipt of a
> message. A simple "roger" will suffice for the receipt of a signal report.
>
> 73, Roger (no ten impunded)
>
> On 12/12/2011 4:06 PM, Carl Clawson wrote:
>>> Another constant irking remarks extant is the use of "Roger"
>>> in place of
>>> "over" or "go ahead".  To which I always remark..."my name is
>>> Herb, not
>>> Roger... Roger?
>>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Counterpoise very interresting

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Hear! Hear!

73, Joe
K2XX

On 11/22/2011 2:16 PM, Paul Christensen wrote:
> As long as we're providing testimony against a defendant who is now a SK, I
> can counter those assertions by saying L.B. was extremely helpful to me as I
> began learning EZNEC.  I had consulted with him on many occasions to clarify
> the design of various antennas and several link-coupled tuners.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Mike(W5UC)"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 2:08 PM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Counterpoise very interresting
>
>
>
>> I got into it with L. B. several years ago.  He published something((I
>> don't remember what) that was quite ambiguous, and I dropped him an
>> e-mail asking him to be more specific.  He replied by accusing me of
>> being demanding.   I found another source to reference in solving my
>> problem and moved on.
>>
>> 73,
>> Mike, W5UC
>> ___
>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
> -
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.1873 / Virus Database: 2101/4632 - Release Date: 11/22/11
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: T32C and 3D2R

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  T32C was quite easy copy here in SW VA just before SR.  3D2R came up 
out  of the mud here just around SR.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 10/3/2011 10:07 PM, Mark Lunday wrote:
> Similar observations from US East Coast.
>
> I was able to work T32C and 3D2R on 40 CW and 80 CW during my gray-line this
> morning.  Simple inverted L and 300 watts from NC.  Excellent ops on their
> end, I am sure, was a big factor.  Pileups were there when I heard them, but
> nothing like on the higher bands over the weekend.
>
> I did hear T32C on 160 but lots of W6/W7 stations with much better antennas
> and the sun was up by that time.  Will keep trying,
>
> Mark Lunday
> WD4ELG
>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: MFJ-259B

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Bruce, I don't just what you're using for a dummy load, but I have a 
50 ohm resistor carefully mounted within a PL-259 to minimize lead 
lengths.  I get about  X=2.  It's likely a matter of lead inductance 
and/or just accuracy limitations of the instrument when measuring reactance.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 4/18/2011 5:11 PM, Bruce wrote:
> I have a MFJ-259B VSWR analyzer that the reactance is no longer X=0, but X=5 
> when a pure resistive 50 ohm load is attached. Makes spring time
> checking of low band antennas more difficult. Anyone know which control pot 
> is used to zero the meter reactance reading when no reactance is present?.
> 73
> Bruce
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Top Band INactivity

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  George, I couldn't agree more.  At Z last night the band seemed 
pretty quiet with only DF2UU coming through at S4-5 at best.  However, 
at around 0400Z it was as if someone had turned a switch.  Unusually 
strong signals started coming out of Europe and the Near East.  4Z1UF, 
who is often heard at this QTH, has never been louder.  SV3RF was a real 
S9+ and his strength was more appropriate to 20M.  Almost equally as 
potent were G3JMJ, OM2XW, SP3DIO and several others whose calls I can't 
recall at this time.  Conditions were probably as good as I've heard all 
season long.

OTOH, there seemed to be some spottiness to the unusually strong sigs.  
Several US stations made references to poor conditions in their cluster 
spots and the good RX seemed to focus on VA and NC.  I'm using an RX 
4-square and TX vertical in diversity reception here in SW VA and 
observed that the signals were about equal in strength on both antennas, 
which is not typical.  The only time the vertical is equivalent to the 
4-square is usually on short skip stuff.  I'm not sure that means 
anything, but it was an apparent departure from the norm.

Let's hope for more before the QRN season starts.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 3/4/2011 9:32 AM, GEORGE WALLNER wrote:
>>> From: "Diane and Edward Swynar"
>>> or has general activity on
>>> 160-meters declined significantly in the past few
>>> weeks...?
> There was plenty of activity on TB last night (Thursday
> night). DF2PY was a solid S9 in South Florida. There were
> many other EU stations with solid S8 and S7 signals. QSB
> was very deep but noise was not excessive. I started
> working EU with 25 watts while the PA was warming up and I
> was getting S7 reports. Conditions must have been
> excellent. TB rewards those who wait!
>
> There must also be a compounding effect; when conditions
> are poor fewer stations stay on the band and when
> conditions are good, more stations get on it.
>
> Cheers and 73,
>
> George, AA7JV
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Wow, great conditions

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  The signals from Europe at this QTH last night were about the best 
that I've heard all season.  There were some real S9 signals such as 
SV8JE, UT7QF and DL5AWI.  ZS1JX was about as strong as I've ever heard 
him..  OTOH, some other signals from Europe seemed more typical and it 
appeared that the source QTHs for the extraordinary signals were 
somewhat spotty.

Let's hope it continues.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 2/10/2011 11:31 PM, Mark Lunday wrote:
> I heard ZS1JX at his sunrise, and I heard and worked 4Z1UF at about the same
> time, also his sunrise.  4Z1UF, Ilya, was BOOMING in on my inverted L, a
> solid 589.
>
> I looked back in my log, and saw that I worked 4Z1UF almost ONE YEAR ago at
> his sunrise.  The magic is still there!
>
> Mark Lunday
> WD4ELG
>
>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Boring Report - December

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

  Last year, I put up my first vertical for 160M and my very first QSO 
with it was JA on September 29.  And though I have to admit to not being 
a dedicated early riser, this morning was the first time this season 
that I heard JA here in SW VA.  Europe is generally pretty good here at 
around my sunset and their sunrise, although there have been nights 
where EU signals were either totally absent or few and far between.  
Central Asia and VK/ZL have been almost totally absent here.

Let's hope for better conditions during the next few months.

73, Joe
K2XX



On 1/6/2011 12:39 PM, David Raymond wrote:
> : Boring Report - December
>
>
>> Simply put - Decemeber was not very exciting...  dare I say almost
>> boring?
>>
>> While I have been able to hear and work some Europeans during the
>> month - signals have been down significantly from normal.  Most
>> nights - I either hear nothing - or perhaps only a few weak signals.
>> Most of my contacts have been made by the "skin of my teeth" and
>> there have not been any opportunities to run stations.  While I have
>> worked a few stations in the morning - the mornings in the past two
>> years were much better.
>>
>> All of this sort of adds to me thinking conditions are significantly
>> worse than they were the past couple or years.  Likely worse than
>> they have been since 2006.
>>
>> Just wondering if this matches the perception of others?  Looking
>> back in my logs - it's amazing to me that I actually went through
>> several years of working zero Europeans - but it appears we might
>> be on the brink of this happening again?
>>
>> 73 Tree N6TR
>
> > From my observations here in the Midwest, conditions are substantially down
> from recent years past.  That includes conditions to EU, Asia, and VK/ZL.
> Last year and the year before many of the active NA stations were routinely
> working Zones 17, 18,&  19 both morning and night.  This part of the world
> is a relatively tough path for NA.  This year it's much more of a challenge
> to work those zones at any time.  I note that activity from JA is only a
> small fraction of what it has been in recent years.  Two years ago I could
> easily work 10 or 20 JA stations in one morning session.  Now, I can CQ
> beaming JA for 20 minutes and never even get a response.
>
> All that said there have been a few bright moments.  There was a wonderful
> opening from the Midwest to EU at their SR a few nights ago.  Topband
> sounded like 20m at midday with stations every KHz.  But that was just one
> evening, not night-after-night like it was a year or two ago.
>
> I think all of this has somewhat discouraged all but a few of the stalwarts,
> and understandably so.  You just have to be on. . .there just won't be as
> good a return on your investment.  No doubt, times and prop have changed.
>
> 73 and Happy New Year to all. . .Dave
> W0FLS
> in Iowa
>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK