Topband: PLease!
Folks... when you reply to a post PLEASE do not include the entire digest in your reply just the message, or even better just the line or paragraph, that you are responding to. I could not find the new stuff inside all the old attachments in the last digest. Sorry to be a griper Not my usual cheery self today Mel KJ9C _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Remotes
For a number of reasons, I operate my regular Indiana QTH from here in Montana. Here we have CCRs that limit me to very low invisible stealth antennas and fewer bands, and being surrounded by mountains 2000 to 5000 feet higher does not help. So for DXCC purposes and for 160 meters I am in Indiana and give the QTH as IN. Since I started DXCC from Indiana years ago, I use the IN station to work new ones (only 5 to go). It's the same rig and antennas that I used to get this far in DXCC. When I do operate from Montana, puny signal that it is, it's for contests and CW Ops events (but no 160 meters here) and I hand out MT as the state and make a few folks happy for a new multiplier (if they can hear me). There's no question where I am in LOTW there's a log for each location, and I keep them separate. A ham checking LOTW for WAS will see our qso in the correct state. If remote operators take a few extra steps so there is no question as to their STATION location, the system works. However, I too have heard from very strong signals on 160 the wrong time of day without "/" identifiers. I'd guess that these folks would have cheated regardless of ARRL's actions. Mel KJ9C _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Pulleys for antennas in trees
Speaking as an engineer, the owner of an oak tree farm, and a ham with antennas in trees, please use some caution when using ropes in trees: 1. An antenna tied to a tree branch exerts some force W (lets say it's a pulling force or hanging weight) on the branch. 2. If instead of tying to the branch, you tie off the other end of the rope on the tree trunk or use a counterweight, the force on the branch doubles (to 2W) there's still the weight of the antenna, but you add the weight of the counterweight (or anchoring force die to tying off at the trunk) 3 If instead of the antenna rope, you tie a pulley to the branch, then the pulley sees 2W force (the antenna plus the counterweight) and that force is transferred to the branch. 4.ButiIf the pulley's support rope is tied off at the trunk or counterweighted, then the force the branch sees doubles (just as in example 2 above) exerting 4W force on the branch So there's 4 times as much stress on the branch vs merely tying the antenna rope to the branch. However, most of us can't get high enough in a tree to tie off the antenna, so we sling ropes over branches. So if using a pulley, please be sure the supporting branch is stout I had to replace the windshield of my truck to prove this point to me. I find it best to install inverted vee type (center supported) dipoles or very light inverted L's to minimize the sideways stress on the branch (sideways stress intensifies when the wind blows hard). And yes I have pulleys high in trees. Mel KJ9C _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: SP remote from DN45
Wish I had an antenna here in MT DN45 for 160, but that can't be. Second best option was to remote operate my station in EM69, even though I can't switch RX antennas remotely (Yet! That will change before next TBDC)... So I switched between the TX and the north beverage (the least directional and quietest) No DX this time, but I was LP and heard only J6 and KV4FZ, neither could hear me... Best was CN98 (a 6 pointer) - put 200 QSOs in the log... If the intenet connection would not have crashed six times I might have stayed a bit longer... (not sure if it failed in Indiana or in Montana, wasn't a problem when we operated W1AW/9 a few weeks ago)... another glitch to iron out before next contest Thanks again to the organizers and all who participated... there must hae been a number of QRP stations, or it sure seemed that way Mel KJ9C EM69 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Beverage transformer enclosures
I use a standard PVC outdoor electrical box with waterproof cover. It's ABOUT 2 1/2 by 3/2 and maybe 2 inches deep. with a 3/4 inch diameter recessed opening on the bottom (meant for conduit but a nice fit for SO 239) The gasketed top keeps water out well. I use feedthru screws or (for 12 volts) RCA jacks, all sealed with RTV. I use one for four-way antenna switching using small relays. Mel KJ9C > What do you use for transformer enclosures? > > The ones that I have been using did not stand up. Just curious what others > use. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Inverted L Question
By all means make the vertical portion as tall as possible, even if the horizontal part slopes downward a bit. My 90 footer is really an "inverted J" over a hickory tree with the horizontal part sloping downward at about 20-30 degrees angle it plays fine with 100 watts Better than my short beverages can hear Mel KJ9C My question is: I can get the vertical portion up about 80-100 feet with the remainder horizontal. The issue is the horizontal part will have to slope if I put the vertical that high. Is this ok, or should I put it vertically high enough to make the horizontal portion level. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
