Re: Topband: Unsubscribe

[Ralph Bellas]

Unsubscribe too.  I would rather hear about 160 than ticks.




From: Topband  on behalf of aa0rs 

Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 6:44:44 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Unsubscribe

Unsubscribe





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Topband: 160 verticals

[Ralph Bellas]

Folks,
I have a pair of 160 Titanex verticals and wonder if anyone has experience in 
phasing a pair of these verticals.  Is it worth putting two up instead of just 
one?  I have a SAL30, inverted vee, 900 foot beverages (after the crops are in) 
 I’d like to make the beverages bidirectional so I don’t have to keep moving 
the coax to chase new countries!

I appreciate the recent  info on 4 squares.  I’ve started putting (4) 80 meter 
verticals together, but it is slow going since I am averaging 10 grandkid 
baseball games a week.

Ralph
K9ZO

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Re: Topband: 7P8 last night

[Ralph Bellas]

The half dozen of us in central Illinois did not fare so well.  Rain throughout 
the area made it difficult to hear, but we were glad they were on during our 
opening.   At one point the wind was louder than the amplifier fan!  There was 
a bit of a peak, with fading towards their sunrise.  I don’t believe anyone got 
through, so we will be on again this evening.



We are looking for a shot at XR0ZRC, 3B8XF,  and 5X3C.  It’s good to have some 
nice DX to chase.



K9ZO




From: Topband  on behalf of 
daraym...@iowatelecom.net 
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2019 7:00:37 AM
To: Tree; 160
Subject: Re: Topband: 7P8 last night

They were working EU on 160m during most of our evening here in NA.   I
think K7ZV was the first NA to get through about an hour before their SR.
Then less than maybe a dozen or so did make it right up to and past their
SR.  They are clearly hearing much better as they were never very strong
here but did hear me 12 minutes after their SR.  I felt very fortunate.
Then my QSO did not show up in Club Log so I called and worked them a second
time 14 minutes after their SR.  Shortly after they went QRT LA3BO, Svein,
came on LB Chat and said the 160m logging computer was "not on line at the
moment" so not able to do real time reporting.  As a result none of last
night's 160m QSO show up in Club Log.  Anyway, a big step forward for this
operation.

73. . . Dave, W0FLS

-Original Message-
From: Tree
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2019 5:47 AM
To: 160
Subject: Topband: 7P8 last night

The 7P8 operation was very active up to (and a bit beyond) their sunrise
today.  They primarily worked Europe - but eventually called for only NA.
Not a lot of guys made it into the log, but a few did.  They peaked up
around 0400Z here, but then slowly faded up to their sunrise.  Sometimes we
get a very distinct sunrise peak, but that perhaps happens more in the dead
of winter here.

I believe this operation will be on the air a while longer.  They were on
1824 listening up.

I had gotten on the rig to support the Wednesday night activity effort, but
all of the activity was focused on this one station.  I did hear and OH5
and CT calling in the pileup, so the band was open to Europe.

73 Tree N6TR
Manning, OR
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Re: Topband: finding a site for greyline sunrise/sunset times

[Ralph Bellas]

You can ask Alexa “When is sunrise in Bhutan”
Type “Sunrise Bhutan” in your browser
Go to www.timeanddate.com
K9ZO

From: Steve Lawrence via Topband
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 5:43 PM
To: Top Band List List
Cc: terry burge
Subject: Re: Topband: finding a site for greyline sunrise/sunset times

If you use DXWATCH.com  for spots, hover your cursor over 
the DX call and you'll get approximate SS and SR times in Z.

GL - Steve WB6RSE



On Feb 28, 2019, at 3:21 PM, terry burge  wrote:

Hi folks,


One of the problems with using https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/greyline is 
trying to calculate what time GMT will be the sunrise or sunset time in places 
like the A5A, FR7, XX9, etc. Does anyone know if there is an online site where 
you can plug in a countries capitol and find the sunrise/sunset time in GMT? 
Sure could help predicting when to try working them weather its on 160,80,40 or 
perhaps other bands. I think Ham Radio Deluxe will do that but my N3FJP won't.


Terry

KI7M

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Re: Topband: Topband Phenomenon

[Ralph Bellas]

Not sure why airplane is an option considering the wavelength.  It doesn't have 
much of a reflecting surface.

We barely could hear the handful of Europeans for a few minutes at their 
sunrise.

K9ZO


From: Topband  on behalf of Dan Atchison via 
Topband 
Sent: Sunday, February 3, 2019 11:38:26 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Topband Phenomenon

During the CQ WW 160 CW contest a week ago while operating at the N1LN
M/S station, I happened to be in a fantastic run of EU.

On one and only one QSO, I worked a "G" station whose callsign's last
suffix letter was at least 20dB stronger than the rest of his call.  I
mentioned this to NR4M while discussing the contest with Steve at the
Richmond Frostfest and he said he experienced the same on one occasion;
he thought meteor and I was thinking airplane.

Anyone else experience this on topband and if so, have a "scientific"
explanation?

73,
Dan -- N3ND
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Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160

[Ralph Bellas]

Different entirely.  What is missing is the interaction between people.  I 
literally can call a station and go to the bathroom, returning to see if the 
computer worked him and I can log it. The technology is cool to hear weak 
signals, but it is not interactive yet.



SSB and AM are technologies, but used the same back and forth human 
communication.






From: Topband  on behalf of Steve Sacco NN4X 

Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 8:56:10 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160

Ed -

I wasn't around back then, but I'd imagine the exact same thing was said
when CW began to replace spark gap, and when SSB began to supplant AM.

Just something to think about.

73,

Steve

NN4X

> 1. Re: JA's came in droves today on 160 (Edward Sawyer)
>
>
>
> --
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 13:27:16 -0500
> From: "Edward Sawyer" 
> To: 
> Subject: Re: Topband: JA's came in droves today on 160
> Message-ID: <01cd01d4b992$982c2260$c8846720$@earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Such is the new trend.  No offense to KV4FZ whatsoever but if you provide
> the easy path.most will take it.  The only way to affect the "easy way out"
> is to not provide it.
>
>
>
> I remember year's ago doing CQ WW CW ABLP as C6ARS in 2001.  I ended the
> contest on 15M running a couple of hundred JAs. I thought, this is amazing
> because I am just as loud from W1 and I couldn't imagine having so many JA
> stations call.  Clearly they are much more DXers than full contesters - most
> of them.  Still feel that way today.  I have heard piles of JAs calling
> right before a contest only to dry up in the contest.
>
>
>
> Its fascinating that the above has now shifted to FT8 vs the more
> traditional modes in just DXing.  Herb, it would be a very interesting
> experiment to shift to CW mid pile-up and see if the group stays with you to
> catch the DX opening or does it dwindle to nothing.  I am guessing it goes
> to nothing despite the opening.  But would love to hear.
>
>
>
> FT8 is changing the "easiness factor" in DXing.  And like technology
> assisted driving, once that genie is out of the bottle it ain't never goin
> back.  Just try and find an actual stick shift in a new car - almost
> impossible.  Why?  It doesn't mesh with the computer driving the car.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>

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Re: Topband: Failed bulkhead connector

[Ralph Bellas]

This happens after a lightning strike.


From: Topband  on behalf of Charles Otnott via 
Topband 
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2019 9:16 PM
To: WW3S; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Failed bulkhead connector


A speculation...cheap CHI-COMM product perhaps?

I had a recent failure of a no-name brand of
SO-239 bulkhead connector on a matching network
for my 160M 0.5 wave Hertz antenna. A black
scorch mark was very visible from the center pin
across the insulation and to the mount. The
connector was located inside of an environmentally
controlled box. At no time did the swr at 1Kw exceed 1.5:1.
If you can find true Amphenol silver plated antenna
connectors, pay the price. I have never had one fail.
The tarnish on the silver plate connectors is conductive,
so no need to remove the patina.

73
Charlie
WD5BHT




-Original Message-
>From: WW3S 
>Sent: Jan 27, 2019 3:56 PM
>To: topband@contesting.com
>Subject: Topband: Failed bulkhead connector
>
>Had a great start to the 160 contest, about 90 qsos the first hour, running 
>about 1200 w to my inverted L.took a short break to grab a bite to eat, 
>first transmission after that tripped the swr protection in the amplong 
>story short, after attempting to fix it in the dark, Saturday morning I found 
>the bulkhead connector on my radial plate failedeven though reception was 
>just fine, I couldn’t transmit, I think it failed open...replacing the 
>connector brought everything back to normal.it may have been a cheap 
>connector , bought a few at Dayton ( won’t make that mistake again).what 
>is it that causes them to fail? The insulation ?
>
>Sent from my iPad
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Re: Topband: CQ 160 Contest

[Ralph Bellas]

Follow the link to the rules. Basically, stay in the USA band. Regions outside 
of the USA have different band segments than we do. (Important if you are on a 
DXpedition and want to work JAs.) Also, it would be good to stay out of the FT8 
segment.
Ralph

K9ZO


From: Topband  on behalf of AB2E Darrell 

Sent: Monday, January 21, 2019 3:08:34 PM
To: Andy Blank; CQ-Contest Reflector; 160
Subject: Re: Topband: CQ 160 Contest

Greetings Andy,
Can you clarify what frequencies should be avoided so as not to be dq'd?
73 and cu in the contest,
Darrell AB2E

From: Topband  on behalf of Andy Blank 

Sent: Monday, January 21, 2019 1:44:44 PM
To: CQ-Contest Reflector; 160
Subject: Topband: CQ 160 Contest

Hi Everyone.

It's -10 deg F Wind Chill in NJ today (-23deg C) and that can mean only one
thing.
The CQ 160 CW Contest is here!

There are a few plaques that now need sponsorship. Please look at the list:
https://cq160.com/plaques.htm
If you wish to sponsor any of the open ones, or have another category in
mind please contact me directly.

Please visit our web site at CQ160.com and check the latest rules.
https://cq160.com/rules.htm

We expect all the rules to be obeyed as usual, and please spread out as
much as possible.
We realize there will be some FT8 activity around 1840.
I am hoping most of them will plug in their CW key and work stations the
old fashioned way.

Remember you must obey the ITU Region rules regarding operational
frequencies.
If you are found to operate outside these limits, it may be grounds for DQ.
Also, we will be doing a lot of RBN analysis to find power violations. We
realize this is not a true measurement, but we can find outliers. Please
observe the power limits set in the rules.

Also pay close attention to the remote RX rules, we will be alerted to any
use of remote SDR etc using web based systems.
*For Single Op Assisted only *You are allowed one and only one remote RX
within 100KM.

We expect good conditions, no storms and plenty of DX.
CU on Topband!

73, Andy N2NT
Director CQ160 Contest
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Re: Topband: Inverted L improvement question - Part 2

[Ralph Bellas]

Two 100 x 3 ft rolls of chicken wire were added this fall.  I have about 45 
radials, good conductivity, clear view, and the sump pump dumps out nearby.  It 
is quiet in the country  but the beverages are better.  I am putting up a 
SAL30. It will be better for USA contests. The F/B is good enough that you can 
tell someone is calling.

K9ZO


From: Topband  on behalf of Todd Goins 

Sent: Friday, December 28, 2018 5:35:53 PM
To: TopBand List
Subject: Topband: Inverted L improvement question - Part 2

I originally started this thread and I want to once again thank everyone
who provided input and advise both privately and on the reflector.

So the 100' tall vertical with the 30' horizontal loading wire works
**horribly**. I have about a week with it now every evening and it is much,
much poorer transmitting (and receiving, as expected I guess) than the 43'
vertical with the 90' horizontal.

Since everyone was united in the opinion that I needed a dedicated
receiving antenna I put out a 200' BOG (pointing east) with the transformer
and terminating resistor from DXEngineering. The BOG is really quiet
(S1-S2) compared to the verticals and it hears "okay" but I wouldn't say it
was great by any means. The Stew Perry tomorrow will give me better chance
to evaluate it.

Back to the 100' vertical. Since it wasn't working being tied into the
buried radial field I was using for the 43' (PSK Reported showed dreadful
performance) I decided to take a different approach and made it have an
elevated feed point at about 7' above ground and I ran three 130' elevated
(also around 6' to 7' high) counterpoise wires. This antenna works a little
better but still not nearly as good as the 43'.

Several people asked me to make R/Z measurements of the antenna at the feed
point. I'd love to provide that info but my Comet CAA-500 MarkII antenna
analyzer is being totally killed on 160m by a 27.5KW AM broadcast station
that is about 2 miles from my QTH. It will not work. The analyzer has been
fine on 6-40m and sometimes works on 80m but 160 is no-go. So I can't get
the reactance and resistance values you all wanted.

So, here is my question. The one easy modification I can make to the
antenna, now that I have elevated radials connected, is that I can elevate
the feed point. I can raise it to about any height necessary. Would this
make any difference? I would lengthen the horizontal wire by whatever
distance I raised the feed point, right? Any ideas or am I just chasing my
tail?

Thanks for reading and any advise you can give.
73,
Todd - NR7RR
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