Re: Topband: Hardening the 8 Circle Receiving Array
GM Mark, The easiest way to think of this is Diodes = Detectors; with high-powered RF around, that becomes a Bad Idea. A possible alternative MAY be high-value resistors to ground across the front end of the preamps. A representative value would be 10 MΩ or greater, and I would match the resistances to ±1%. However, Tim's warning still applies in that this mod may damage the performance of the array. I only mention it because I've used it with kite and balloon antennas to drain off static discharge, and it may prove useful here. 73 de Lee KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tim Duffy Hello Mark: Installing diodes can cause severe problems with nearby broadcast stations. During the summer months and lightning months I remove my preamps from the antenna elements to protect them. I am now just getting them installed tomorrow morning to prepare for the Fall Stew contest on Saturday. Be careful making modifications that may hurt your array performance 73 Tim K3LR -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mark Robinson I have the DX Engineering 8 circle receiving array sized for 80/160m . It has been a fantastic performer but I have suffered damage to the active antenna amplifiers on two separate occasions due to nearby lightning strikes. I am looking at a way to protect these amplifiers. I was wondering if I can add a pair or dual series pair (4 diodes in total) of back to back diodes - say 1N3600, across the input to ground terminals on each amplifier. Will this affect the performance of the array in any way ? 73 Mark N1UK _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160: Digital only DXCC needed - AKA, things that will kill the hobby..................
OK - A few more additions Lee DMR C4FM/System Fusion/Wires-X D-STAR EchoLink IRLP Remote Stations RemoteHams Remote Ham Radio Amplifiers Big Antennas Little Antennas OMs YLs XYLs Harmonics Sub-Harmonics Solid-State Tubes Integrated Circuits SDRs -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of W0MU Mike Fatchett Sent: Tuesday, 6 August, 2019 15:26 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: 160: Digital only DXCC needed - AKA, things that will kill the hobby.. Working by the numbers and Lists! On 8/6/2019 1:24 PM, Lee. KX4TT via Topband wrote: > OK - I think I've got a good start on the > list..who knew Joe Taylor was the Antichrist?? > > > Things that will kill the hobby.in no particular > order > > Spark > CW > AM > SSB > FM > RTTY > Packet > Amtor > Pactor > Winlink > PSK31 > PSK63 > MSFK8 > MSFK16 > M-RTTY > EME > Computers > DXpeditions > Contesters > Holiday DXpeditions > Nets > OQRS > PayPal > Ebay > Ragchewers > Not enough computers > Windows > Linux > Android > MacOS > Lowband Operators > VHF operators > Satellite Operators > Microwave Operators > Parks on the Air > Islands on the Air > Summits on the Air > DXCC > WAS > VUCC > WAZ > ARRL > CQ Magazine (didn't want them to feel left out by ARRL on the list) > 73 Magazine (everyone is SK, so we shouldn't get any > pushback)... > Propagation is not good enough - I can't hear people I want to talk to. > Propagation is too good - I can hear people I don't want to talk > to > K1MAN - OK, we could remove this as the odious little man (Glenn > Baxter) is SK, but where's the fun in that?? > FCC > Appliance Operators > CB guys > QRP > QRO > Using Paddles > Using a straight Key > Using A Bug > Using A Bug as a Straight Key > Using a Keyer > QRM > QRN > DQRM - That one we should keep on the list > Kenwood > Yaesu > Icom > Elecraft > Tower Rules > JT65 > JT9 > FT8 > FT4 > K1JT > > > Guys, it's probably not a complete list..but > it's a start!! > > > 73 de Lee KX4TT > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160: Digital only DXCC needed - AKA, things that will kill the hobby..................
OK - I think I've got a good start on the list..who knew Joe Taylor was the Antichrist?? Things that will kill the hobby.in no particular order Spark CW AM SSB FM RTTY Packet Amtor Pactor Winlink PSK31 PSK63 MSFK8 MSFK16 M-RTTY EME Computers DXpeditions Contesters Holiday DXpeditions Nets OQRS PayPal Ebay Ragchewers Not enough computers Windows Linux Android MacOS Lowband Operators VHF operators Satellite Operators Microwave Operators Parks on the Air Islands on the Air Summits on the Air DXCC WAS VUCC WAZ ARRL CQ Magazine (didn't want them to feel left out by ARRL on the list) 73 Magazine (everyone is SK, so we shouldn't get any pushback)... Propagation is not good enough - I can't hear people I want to talk to. Propagation is too good - I can hear people I don't want to talk to K1MAN - OK, we could remove this as the odious little man (Glenn Baxter) is SK, but where's the fun in that?? FCC Appliance Operators CB guys QRP QRO Using Paddles Using a straight Key Using A Bug Using A Bug as a Straight Key Using a Keyer QRM QRN DQRM - That one we should keep on the list Kenwood Yaesu Icom Elecraft Tower Rules JT65 JT9 FT8 FT4 K1JT Guys, it's probably not a complete list..but it's a start!! 73 de Lee KX4TT _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: BOG height
Moisture can adversely affect a BOGs performance. BOGs work best in arid climates...so if you see me running around with a Ladies Heat Gun (hair dryer) in the middle of the night Lee KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Harald Rester Sent: Thursday, 1 August, 2019 14:55 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: BOG height Paul, the higher the wire, the more output of the antenna, but all other paramters changes as well. I can say definitely that a unidirectional BOG with 270ft works ways better than a beverage with the same size (abt Lambda/2 on 160m) My BOGs have the W7IUV Preamp, works fine. 73! Am 01.08.2019 um 20:10 schrieb Paul Mclaren: > Thanks so far, interesting that it doesn’t always work well for everyone. > I am working on a compromise here so any result is a bit of a gain. > > Don’t worry I get the ON the ground part, just looking for practical > advice does that mean insulation of the wire touching for the whole > run or slightly above and at what point does it no longer be on the > ground1 > inch, 6 inches? Does it the gain get sharper as the wire height changes? > > > Regards > > Paul > > On Thu, 1 Aug 2019 at 19:01, Wes wrote: > >> Doesn't "BOG" mean, Beverage On Ground? If so, isn't the a nswer, >> "on the ground"? >> >> Wes N7WS >> >> On 8/1/2019 10:08 AM, Paul Mclaren wrote: >>> Just a ‘simple’ question hopefully - How close to the ground should >>> a BOG be for best/good performance? >>> >>> I am looking for any additional info that I can get to supplement >>> what I have found online already so good on the balun, wire type and >>> termination resistor. >>> >>> My single unterminated beverage I have at the moment was >>> transformational compared to a Wellbrooke loop but the location it >>> is in will soon be 80 >> new >>> homes so time to look elsewhere. Current plan is a small number >>> (maybe >>> three) BOG antennas switched by a remote relay but distance is >>> limited to 200ft maximum in any direction. >>> >>> Plan is to use the BOGs for 160 but also 80,40 and maybe 30m. >>> >>> Regards >>> >>> Paul MM0ZBH >>> _ >>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband >> Reflector >> >> >> _ >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband >> Reflector >> > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: unwelcome topics
Or "How do I deal with my 160m tic?!?" Lee KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Carl Luetzelschwab > Subject: Topband: unwelcome topics Does this mean a topic like "What Makes 160m Tick" would not be welcome? Couldn't resist. Carl K9LA _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!!
GM Herb, The DXCC Card Checkers do not have to have 160m DXCC anymorebut they do have to allow their work to be vetted by HQ. Some field checkers may be unaware of this change; I have personally run into this problem. I do know that Don Search, W3AZD, checks 160m cards despite not having 160m DXCC himself, but some people may consider him to be a special category as he used to run the DXCC desk. On a related note, the DXCC Card Checker Master List no longer delineates the checkers with 160m DXCC..I will let everyone draw their own conclusions there. Here is the portion of the rules allowing this: Section IV. Field Checking of QSL Cards, 1) Entities Eligible for Field Checking:, a) With an exception for 160 Meters, cards for all current and deleted entities dating back to November 15, 1945 can be checked. Cards for 160 Meters can only be checked by Card Checkers who currently hold an active 160 Meter DXCC, ARRL Headquarters staff who have been authorized by the Manager of the Radiosport Department, or existing Card Checkers who agree to allow their work to be vetted by the Radiosport Department. The Manager of the Radiosport Department shall make a special reporting form available for this purpose. 160 Meter Card Checkers can be found on the complete list of DXCC 160 Card Checkers. 73 de Lee KX4TT > On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 3:18 AM Herbert Schoenbohm < > herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Would not a 100% LOTW be the ultimate answer to card frauds? There >> is, in fact, is no card checker in the VI for 160 meter QSO's causing >> me countless mailings to the DXCC desk. This all could be avoided in >> the future if the ARRL went to 100% LOTW. Most rare DX stations would >> want their operations to count and would easily sign up to ARRL's >> LOTW, I think. >> >> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160m Condx
Concur . if a frequency either ends with a zero, or if you add the digits up and get a number divisible by 9, it will likely have a greater change for BC interference. Example in Tampa (Florida, US) is 1860, which is the 3rd harmonic for WDAE 620, which is a 50kW stn. An example for our UK friends is 1818, which is the 2nd harmonic for 909khz (BBC Radio 5) Great discussion! 73 de Lee KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters Sent: Monday, 12 November, 2018 13:27 To: ve...@shaw.ca Cc: topband ; Filipe Lopes Subject: Re: Topband: 160m Condx Perfect! Thanks for sharing. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Mon, Nov 12, 2018 at 12:13 PM VE6WZ_Steve wrote: > Know bad frequencies- great resource here: > http://www.k8nd.com/TopbandBadFreqs.pdf > > However…a “best practice” on 160m is NEVER call CQ on an exact frequency. > Why is it ever necessary to call on 1830, 1820, 1822 etc. exactly? > Call CQ on 1820.3, or 1820.4 or 1822.6 or 1827.8. > Perhaps its human nature to want to use a nice “round” number, but > this accomplishs nothing except increase the chances of being on a harmonic > QRG. > Its surprising how many DX-peds will do this too. We don't need a > nice frequency with no decimal points! You will be found just fine > with all the skimmers and spotters out there. > > de steve ve6wz. > > > > On Nov 12, 2018, at 9:31 AM, Filipe Lopes wrote: > > Hi > > Is there a listing of such frequencies? Want to avoid those in the > coming contests > > 73's Filipe > CT1ILT CR5E CR6K > > Sent from my Huawei Mate 8 > > Na(o) Seg, 12 de nov de 2018, 17:28, Mike Waters > escreveu: > > I wish we could get the word out to avoid frequencies like that: 1810, > 1820, 1830, etc. There are almost always AM BC harmonics on those freqs. > > 73, Mike > www.w0btu.com > > On Sun, Nov 11, 2018 at 4:24 PM k1zm--- via Topband < > topband@contesting.com> > wrote: > > > Band still down a bit from last week but 4k6fo good sigs now on 1830.0 > from Alim. > 73 JEFF > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > > > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector --- avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 18-16, 11/11/2018 Tested on: 11/12/2018 1:28:35 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2018 AVAST Software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 18-16, 11/11/2018 Tested on: 11/12/2018 1:57:44 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2018 AVAST Software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!
No, That would not be useful, but a bunch of canned messages that resemble grid square numbers would be useful, especially when locations are preplanned. Look at all the Q Codes associated with a SOS, and you'll get some ideas. Ex. Exchange AA4FL KX4TT QTCC (locations are preplanned so AA4FL knows where I am)(Second C means Critical) KX4TT AA4FL QRV AA4FL F8S6 (8 fatalities, 6 serious injuries) / AA4FL S3M0 (3 serious, 10 or more minor) KX4TT QTC (any more?) AA4FL NIL KX4TT RF8S6T (Received info, t can mean anything for transport available to time-wait for instructions) 2nd example AA4FL KX4TT QTC (locations are preplanned so AA4FL knows where I am) KX4TT AA4FL QRV AA4FL S3M0 (3 serious, 10 or more minor) KX4TT NRM (TOTAL MINOR ?) AA4FL M27 KX4TT R T15 (Received info, T can mean - will reply in 15 or transport should be there in 15) 73 es GUD DX de Lee KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k8...@alphacomm.net Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 13:39 To: Guy Olinger K2AV; Topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Just think about thatAfter some terrific disaster, you'll be able to tell the outside world your grid square & signal report. Good luck with that... Brian K8BHZ On 3/30/2018 1:12 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > > I definitely do see FT8 as having an impact of some sort in disaster > communications where commercial or generator AC power is flat gone and > solar charged batteries are all there is. There would probably need to > be an asymmetrical FT8 where volume is 97% outbound. The platform > seems to have endless possibilities and I think the fellows will get there. > > 73, Guy > > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night
I thought I saw one spot on 1823 for them..you were in that area. I was doing maintenance and listening only, so I didn't note your frequency but heard your call loud and clear..-) Lee -Original Message- From: David Olean [mailto:k1...@metrocast.net] Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2018 12:42 To: Lee. KX4TT; 'Roger Kennedy' ; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night I thought of that, Lee. I think I was at least 1 kHz below wherever TJ2TT showed up, and I asked if the freq was in use twice, before I called CQ. (I think they were spotted on 26 or 26.5 after I was on making calls. I never heard them ) The obvious solution is to ask me to QSY. You don't start jamming me. (?) I really got confused and upset. The static is getting quite pronounced some nights, although other nites are quiet. I'll be around on 160 for awhile yet. At least until I get all the new coax chokes installed out in the woods near the beverages. I have about a foot of ice and snow yet so finding the coax cables underneath is a problem. My goal is to get common mode noise off all of my rx antennas. Then I go play on VHF and fly fish all summer. 73 Dave K1WHS On 3/29/2018 3:52 PM, Lee. KX4TT wrote: > I suspect it's because someone thought you were QRMing TJ2TT; He was pretty > much QSA0 for me. Local QRN/QRM has made 160 very tough for me; I could > barely hear Roger and he is usually fairly easy copy. > > 73 de Lee KX4TT > Tampa, FL > > > -Original Message- > From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of > David Olean > Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2018 11:31 > To: Roger Kennedy ; > topband@contesting.com > Subject: Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night > > Roger, > > I was QRV for awhile, but seem to have attracted someone who hated my guts. I > was QRMed while trying to work stations. they put a carrier on top of the > stations I tried to work. They QRMed the dx station and were sending false > signal reports in hopes of confusing me. Then they came on and sent me > disparaging remarks and called me a "bone head". I went QRT. I know I am not > a great operator, and make mistakes, but who needs that when you are trying > to relax and have some innocent fun? I am starting to sour on the > Gentlemen's band moniker. It was quite upsetting. > > We had a fair amount of lightning static here, but conditions seemed pretty > fair otherwise. You peaked up pretty loud at times. I could barely detect > 4K6FO last night. He was good copy the night before. I did not hear any SA > stations and I think they were QRV. Each nite is different! > > K1WHS > > > On 3/29/2018 9:55 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote: >> Well conditions seemed pretty good last night . . . my RBN reports >> were certainly encouraging from several NA stations - one was even 49 >> dB over the noise ! >> >> However, there was a distinct lack of activity - I stayed on from >> 0100Z for nearly 2 hours, but only worked 9 NA stations. >> >> Nothing like the dozens of stations that came on a few weeks ago when >> we started these Wednesdays . . . >> >> Come on guys ! >> >> 73 Roger G3YRO >> >> _ >> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband >> > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night
I suspect it's because someone thought you were QRMing TJ2TT; He was pretty much QSA0 for me. Local QRN/QRM has made 160 very tough for me; I could barely hear Roger and he is usually fairly easy copy. 73 de Lee KX4TT Tampa, FL -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of David Olean Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2018 11:31 To: Roger Kennedy; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night Roger, I was QRV for awhile, but seem to have attracted someone who hated my guts. I was QRMed while trying to work stations. they put a carrier on top of the stations I tried to work. They QRMed the dx station and were sending false signal reports in hopes of confusing me. Then they came on and sent me disparaging remarks and called me a "bone head". I went QRT. I know I am not a great operator, and make mistakes, but who needs that when you are trying to relax and have some innocent fun? I am starting to sour on the Gentlemen's band moniker. It was quite upsetting. We had a fair amount of lightning static here, but conditions seemed pretty fair otherwise. You peaked up pretty loud at times. I could barely detect 4K6FO last night. He was good copy the night before. I did not hear any SA stations and I think they were QRV. Each nite is different! K1WHS On 3/29/2018 9:55 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote: > Well conditions seemed pretty good last night . . . my RBN reports > were certainly encouraging from several NA stations - one was even 49 > dB over the noise ! > > However, there was a distinct lack of activity - I stayed on from > 0100Z for nearly 2 hours, but only worked 9 NA stations. > > Nothing like the dozens of stations that came on a few weeks ago when > we started these Wednesdays . . . > > Come on guys ! > > 73 Roger G3YRO > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: 3C0W signal on Topband
My observations match Herb's very well - of course, we're not that far apart, as I am in Tampa, FL. 3C0W is easy QSA5 copy on the Windom; TY7C and TN5R were closer to QSA4, and TJ2TT was very tough copy (QSA1-2) on 160 (but QSA5 on 80; go figure). I had worked 3C0L, so I didn't work 3C0W on this go-around. 73 de Lee, KX4TT -Original Message- I have no explanation for this but it is clearly the best signal every heard from this part of the world on 160 from 3C0W was so strong i had to record it. Jon, AA1K has put it up on his website http://www.aa1k.us/dx for you to hear it. RX antenna here was a 600 foot S/E Beverage although the path is supposed to be East or 90 degrees. Just amazing DX signal from a DX-pedition. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night
Hmmm - local QRM (lights from nearby baseball field) made early evening copy tough on CW, so I booted up WSJT-X and saw some EU stations there (5B4AIF was steady copy, and some other EU stations would show up from time to time), from 0100-0200. Not the best conditions, but also not the worst. Worked OA4TT about 0400; Jack was QSA4-5 copy between some nasty static crashes. That's what I get for not wanting to shovel snow -) . 73 de Lee KX4TT Tampa, FL _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: No DXwatch cluster for two days now?
Looks like DXWatch just came back Lee KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of terry burge Sent: Friday, February 23, 2018 13:40 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: No DXwatch cluster for two days now? Anyone got any idea what is going on with DXwatch side? Haven't been able to pull it up for two days and had to shift to DXSummit.fi. Personally, I hope it will be back on for this weekends 160M CQ SSB contest. I always enjoy that one when I can get on it and bump head with the big boys. Terry KI7M _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest
Hmmm - I made about 35 QSOs on 160 on Friday night as S - while many QSOs were with Caribbean stations, I did get into the EU from Florida..worked G, GM, EI, EA6, CU, LX, I, OZ, CR, F, E7, 9A, and 5B4. I was running 1300 watts, though, through a 160m Windom, with no separate receive antenna. The larger issue for me was QRM, but I had trouble hearing stations that are usually QSA4 or QSA5, so I know conditions were not good...hope for better conditions next year.. 73 de Lee KX4TT _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband