Topband: VE6WZ tower collapse video

[VE6WZ_Steve]

First, I want to thank everyone on this list who sent their best wishes to me 
after my tower failure.
I received many emails from my friends from all over the world, and it really 
shows what a wonderful, and supportive group this is!!
The gentleman band forever.

Today I finished a 14min YouTube video that shows the destruction after my 
tower collapse, and I describes what happened and why.
I also describe the new 4 element, 6 direction 160m parasitic array, since it 
was because of tower modifications to accommodate this new array that caused 
the accident.
The array is a “variant” of the classic K3LR 5 element (3 inline) parasitic 
array.

https://youtu.be/6tHo59XKHkA 

Steve, ve6wz

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Topband: Tower failure at VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hello fellow DXers..

VE6WZ will be QRT from the HF bands above 160m.

On Tuesday Aug 27, I suffered a main lift cable failure on my crank up tower 
that destroyed all of my Yagi's and the US tower.
At the time of the failure, I was beside the tower (doing work) in my man lift 
while the tower was going up.
The tower was almost at full height (at 100') when the main lift cable broke.
About 500 pounds of Yagis came crashing down almost instantly from 100'.  I was 
in the manlift, and my reaction was to "go down" into the man basket when I 
heard the crash. This is what saved me.  The man basket cage was somewhat 
damaged and bent. 
I am totally ok, with not a scratch, but the cage of the man basket protected 
me.
There was debris, bolts, brackets, tubing, pieces of the booms flying 
everywhere, but somehow, the man lift was not knocked down.  After the 
collapse, one of the 80m Yagi elements was laying on the man basket, but I was 
able to push it off, and lower the man lift to get out.
The tower, my 80m-40m Yagis are completely destroyed. Unrepairable.  The high 
band Optibeam is probably repairable.  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WPDpMbGaS1r8qgjWlj4AFyS8Gog5uSnY/view?usp=sharing
 


Why did this happen? 
It was my mistake.
I am building a 4 element, 160m, 6 direction triangular parasitic array and 
needed to modify the shunt feed for the US tower crankup.  The crankup is the 
driver for the parasitic elements.
The existing shunt feed for the tower needed to me modified into a symmetrical 
skirt surrounding the tower to maintain balanced coupling to the parasitics.
I clamped brackets to the outside of each section to support the shunt-wire 
standoffs.
These clamps were working well for the last 3 months, but after a high wind, 
some of the shunt wires moved and caused the support arms to bend inward.
This bending shifted one (or more) of the brackets to bend INWARD into the 
inner moving sections, then toward the main lift cable and basically sliced the 
main lift cable.
The point is, this failure was not something  that would have happened 
normally, but was only because of my poor engineering/ modifications. I guess 
that’s why they are called accidents?

I have owned the US tower crankup for 26 years, (beginning at my city QTH) and 
have been fastidious about maintenance of the cables, sheaves and motorized 
raising fixture, and have had trouble free use of it.
I will miss it.
My homebrew 80m-40m 2 el Yagis have been in service for 22 years and I have had 
great enjoyment using them.
On 40m I have worked DXCC Honour roll with 336 confirmed, and have 293 DXCC 
confirmed on 80m.
I really wanted to make it to 300 DXCC on 80m, but maybe that will encourage me 
to build an 80m vertical array?

I have decided not to replace the tower.  I want to simplify my remote station, 
and looking back over the last few years, I have been almost exclusively active 
on 160m anyway.
It has been pretty rare to hear ve6wz above 40m, let alone on 80m for the last 
few years.
I plan to remove (and sell for scrap) the 2,000 lb US tower, and replace it 
with another 90' irrigation tubing vertical to complete my 4 element triangular 
160m TX array.

Here is a some detail about the 160m array:

The driver "was" the shunt fed tower, but that (next year) will be replaced 
with a 90' irrigation tubing vertical.
There are 3 parasitic elements surrounding the driver (75' toploaded irrigation 
verts) spaced at 60'.
At any time, 3 elements are active, one parasitic tuned as a director, the 
other as a reflector. 
The array is a variant of the classic K3LR, K9CT, VE3EJ 3 element inline array, 
but in my case, the 3 elements are spatially "offset".
For example, the north parasitic tuned as a director pushes forward gain north, 
but the SW parasitic  pushes the pattern NE.
The really crazy thing, is that modelling shows the forward gain and F/B to be 
down only .4 dB from the inline design, PLUS, I get 6 directions!
To my knowledge no one has ever built an array like this.

Before the tower collapse, I actually had completed the array and was just 
finalizing the expanded radial system for the north element. (another 8,000' of 
copper wire)
I had done some field testing with my signal source and RX testing in the field 
while TXing.  The field test where identical to my model.
The array shows 3.5-4dB forward gain (compared to a single vertical) and about 
20 dB F/B.
My plan was to make a YouTube video (and a .pdf paper) describing the array, 
modelling, installation and field testing, but that will now be delayed until 
next year.

Since the tower failure, I have already modified the north parasitic, so it is 
now tuned and fed as a driver, and using the SW and SE parasitics as refelctors 
I at least have gain to EU and JA.
So VE6WZ I will still be QRV on 160m this winter season.
My 9 band RBN CW skimmer is offline until I reinstall a new antenna sin

Re: Topband: 3” Air Dux Coil Stock

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Buy some copper tubing and roll your own.

Steve, ve6wz.

> On Aug 17, 2024, at 9:18 AM, Bill Eisinger  wrote:
> 
> I’m working on an opportunity to purchase some Air Dux 2404TL coil stock for 
> an antenna matching project I’m working on. 2404 is the 3” diameter , #10, 4 
> tpi coil that is used in a variety of matching applications including K2AV’s 
> FCP design for an 80m match.
> 
> As far as I can tell, there is no current (or recent for that matter) retail 
> source for this particular coil stock. Nebraska Surplus Sales, RF Parts, etc 
> have some Air Dux in their inventory but none of this size. I’m  looking at 
> purchasing directly from Barker & Williamson but because they are a wholesale 
> supplier the minimum purchase will be 10 units. 
> 
> I will know the definitive price sometime next week but I thought I’d toss 
> this out to see if there is enough interest in the group that I can take a 
> flyer and buy 10 sections  of the coil stock…each section is 10” long and 
> based on the last retail price I’m aware from a few years ago, I’m pretty 
> sure they will be somewhere north of $100 per section…I’ll know how far north 
> in a few days.
> 
> Respond back to me directly if you have any interest in obtaining a section 
> of the coil stock and once I know the actual price we can move forward with 
> getting some if there is enough interest.
> 
> 73’s,
> Bill, AA7X
> 
> b...@theeisingers.com
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> _
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Re: Topband: 160m propagation from left coast

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Keep it going Bob!!
Great to know you are keeping the RF alive on TB.

I have been mostly QRT from TX on 160 since I am rebuilding (and expanding) my 
remote station TX system into a 4 el, 6 direction parasitic array.
Hopefully work will be completed by end August and VE6WZ will be back QRV.
My plan is to join you and try and keep the band alive for morning time 
VK-ZL-JA and the nighttime trans-polar path into Europe this fall-winter.

Steve, ve6wz


> On Jul 21, 2024, at 8:45 AM, Bob Kile  wrote:
> 
> Greetings All,
> 
> From Northern Arizona 160m is open most days to the greater Pacific. George 
> AA7JV has been very active testing for early August Jarvis Island N5J 
> operations. His testing has been mostly oriented towards eastern US in time 
> frame but very workable at their current American Samoa location K8R. Kudos 
> to George for keeping band active.
> 
> Whilst conditions are not great, some good long haul DX has been active and 
> very workable. Of note JA5DQH, VK6LW and JA1LZR have been active at times. 
> Unlike Winter ops the optimum time is SR gray zone propagation with some 
> great peaks. I must note the left coast has a great window to the Pacific in 
> the pre-sunrise period as the thunderstorm QRN prevalent dips down giving us 
> boys out west a very good signal to noise ratio.
> 
> South America Propagation is good but most are only FT8 now
> 
> Most people have been taking advantage of the high solar numbers and spending 
> time on H. For the new guys on 160 this a a great opportunity to pick up some 
> new ones.
> 
> 73
> 
> keeping band alive de W7RH
> 
> 
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector


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Re: Topband: remotes

[VE6WZ_Steve]

> I wonder, is it also possible to compete with yourself in boxing? :-(

Baaa-h-h…..ok, I give Nick UY0ZG a knockout for that comment!

Very well said Nick.

And indeed reading the posts on this thread, it seems what most guys are doing, 
including myself, is choosing not to enter the ring at all anymore.
The “boxing ring” I refer to is the “official ARRL DXCC” ring.
Sure, my logging program keeps track my own results, but the ARRL DXCC results 
have become meaningless to me. (Not necessarily YOU who are reading this….you 
don’t need to agree with me)

Steve, ve6wz

> The original idea is to compete with yourself..
> 
> In this case, there is no need to summarize the results of the contests...
> 
> I wonder, is it also possible to compete with yourself in boxing? :-(
> 
> 
> ---
> Nick, UY0ZG
> http://www.topband.in.ua


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Re: Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

George,

Yes. I fully agree that many ops don’t understand that RBN is NOT to be relied 
on.

I operate 3 RBN skimmers, each on a different RX antenna, and auto switched for 
the RX antennas to follow the darkness DX path.
2 of these are Broadside phased Beverage pairs. My QTH is a quiet rural 
location.

However, the skimmer will only detect a very SMALL FRACTION of what I can hear 
with my ears.
If I look at my CW skimmer, often I can “see” the EU DX CQing, but the skimmer 
will not always decode it.
Many times I can work lots of EU, but never get a RBN skimmer decode from EU.
BUT, the opposite is also true.  If I am getting EU RBN decodes, then the band 
is probably in very good shape.

Either way, as George said, do NOT rely on RBN to determine if the band is open 
or not.
Just keep calling CQ.

BTW…FT-8 will decode “deep into the noise” however, with the common very fast 
QSB on 160m, a big reason FT-8 seems to work better is the PC sends EVERY 15 
seconds, for as long as the op lets the PC go.
Sometimes on CW, the QSB can be so fast, the QSO needs to be completed within 
30 seconds, or the DX has faded into oblivion under the noise.
(That’s why we usually don’t have time on 160m CW for exchanging more than a 
signal report…..quickly!!)
That’s also why on CW we need to keep CQing into what seems like a dead band.  
The difference on FT-8, is the PC does the CQing for you.  Yeah…that IS easier!


Steve, ve6wz


> Noise is up.
> 80 is becoming the new 160!
> 
> Also, it is noise that is driving a lot of ops onto FT8.
> 
> Another contributor is RBN! While RBN is great tool, most RBN RX antennas are 
> poor on 160. Those that rely on a quick scan of RBN for 160 meter activity 
> will incorrectly assume that the band is dead.
> 
> In the past 10 years noise has gone up by something like 10 dB in many areas. 
> What worked 10 years ago, no longer works today. We need to learn to live 
> with it. Invest in better RX antennas and other noise reduction techniques. 
> (Petition the FCC to increase the power limit by 10 dB :-)
> 
> And keep calling CQ!
> 
> 73,
> 
> George,
> 
> AA7JV
> 

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Topband: Test your transmit antenna on air

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Today I uploaded a short 6 minute video showing how to use the Kiwi radios 
located all over the world to test your transmit antenna.

How is the front-to-back on your 4 square really performing?
It the dipole or the vertical performing better on the DX path?
Make an azimuth polar plot of your Yagi and see how it compares to modelling.  
How does the pattern change across the band?

This is not a new thing, but in this video I describe the method for those that 
may not be familiar with it.
No test equipment is needed.  All that’s required is a PC sitting beside your 
radio.

Using the “S-meter” function on the Kiwi radios makes it quick and easy to 
record signal levels from your transmit antenna.
This method is far more accurate than trying to estimate a signal level while 
watching a bouncing analog or digital S-meter.

https://youtu.be/_BMeVJQ_cwI 

73, es HNY to all
Steve, VE6WZ
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Topband: In shack combiner and direction switching

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I posted another YouTube video about how I combine my broadside BOG pairs in 
the shack, split to multiple radios and implement direction switching.
I show how I install a low impedance ground plane in the shack to minimize 
noise ingress.

What might be of interest to this group is my remote switching system that 
allows me to switch directions using ethernet relay boards.
https://youtu.be/ZWTDaQIRRxY 

73, Steve, ve6wz.
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Topband: New BOG rx system at VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Today I finally finished my 2 part YouTube video series that describes my new 
BOG rx system and the feed point amplifiers I built to work with them.

This is my second winter season using this RX system of single wires, numerous 
broadside phased pairs, and a BSEF 4 element array.

Part 1 shows how I installed these short 300'-400’ wires in the field to keep 
them slightly elevated above the ground.
I describe how I feed them with a unique trans-impedance amplifier and talk 
about how they perform compared to my elevated 1,000’ conventional Beverages.
This summer I flew my drone out to 1 km and measured the pattern to compare to 
modelling.  I used both a 160m and MW (1.2 MHz) signal source.
The short summary is these antennas have exceeded my expectations. By a lot. 
Quite simply I was surprised.


Part 2 shows detail of the feed point amplifier and provides construction 
detail as well as links to order your own PCBs if you want to build some 
yourself.
This amplifier is a modification of a design by John W1FV and is what I have 
been using for 3 years in my 9 circle RX array.
It uses a high performance RF amp and has been designed for low noise and high 
dynamic range.
I also include PCB gerber links an talk about the board design that will work 
as direct drop in for a HI-Z array.

Part 1 the BOG RX system: https://youtu.be/_LkaRpsiB60 


Part 2 the TI amplifier: https://youtu.be/Th-uoh5l1qE 



73, de steve VE6WZ
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Re: Topband: Comparing antennas was: Re: 160m loaded tower

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Further to Don and Steve’s comment about using an on-line KIWI WEBSDR to check 
your signal, I just uploaded a video I had made that shows how this works.

This is a short 4 min Video, but shows how easy it is to see any changes using 
the S-meter extension.
In this video I am showing the directivity of my 9 Circle RX array:

https://youtu.be/GzW8Ji49Kt4 

73, de steve, ve6wz


> On Jan 18, 2023, at 10:32 AM, Don Moman VE6JY  wrote:
> 
> Even better is to use S Meter dropdown in the KIWI extensions menu it
> gives a strip chart style presentation that can be configured to easily
> show small differences in signal levels, far easier to watch and more
> accurate  than the S meter display.
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jan 18, 2023 at 10:27 AM STEVE MCDONALD  wrote:
> 
>> Pete, I’ve found the best way to A/B antennas in real time is to listen on
>> one of the hundreds of online Kiwi SDRs …. You can flip from one antenna to
>> the other instantly and the difference is readily apparent. RBN can never
>> be A/B ‘d instantly.
>> 
>> Steve VE7SL
>> 

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Re: Topband: VE6WZ QSO

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Very FB ears Andy.  That EF Beverage array is working well.
You were also very weak, but just enough of a short QSB peak for the QSO.
I was RX via the direct polar path on the Beverage array and 9 C in diversity.

As others have said, the condx this season have been very poor for the 
trans-polar path to EU.
For example, I did a log extract for my 160m QSOs for the 4 months starting in 
August for the last three years:

In 2020 at this point I had logged 766 EU QSOs with 240 unique calls.
In 2021 (last year) I had logged 341 EU QSOs with 117 uniques.
And this season for the same 4 month period I have only managed 14 EU QSOs, 
with 10 uniques!
Those strong and sometimes stable openings like we had in 2020 and 2021 are 
very rare during this solar uptick.

The band can still open up over the pole, but it can be fleeting, usually weak 
and even more un-predictable than when the geo-mag is cooler.
The Asia and VK-ZL path has remained open most mornings, sometimes with strong 
signals.

Here is a list of the EU from my log this winter:

DF2UU-  1
DL8LAS- 1
F4HEC-  1
F5IN-   2
G3XHZ-  1
OH1XX-  1
OK1CF-  2
OM2XW-  2
OZ4MM-  1
SM5EDX-2

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Dec 8, 2022, at 11:40 PM, Andree DL8LAS via Topband 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hey gentlemen, 
> I had my first contact with VE6WZ Steve this season.We made the QSO via the 
> pole.Receiving antenna was my 2x585ft end-fire beverage array. No other 
> stations from NA worked this morning,  so I am very happy with this DX QSO.
> https://youtu.be/_r75XbZP5Ak
> www.dl8las.com
> _
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Re: Topband: My new 9 Circle works great!

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Indeed it is John, W1FV who is the father of the 9 circle array and published 
his good work in NCJ.
Together with the YCCC they produced kits which were marketed by DXeng.
Here is my history with the array:

6 years ago I purchased one of these DXeng kits and was impressed with the 
results.

3 years ago, I redesigned John's antenna amplifier to include an antenna bypass 
relay.
My new board geometry to use a 180 deg F connector and screw terminals for the 
ant and ground to simplify construction.
I published a YouTube video on the new design, and in the video notes I provide 
links to the PCB Gerber files, and all of John’s original documentation.
https://youtu.be/dl-crM5Kb6A 

2 years ago, I redesigned the combiner board and integrated a 2N5109 amplifier 
on the PCB.
Gerbers, BOM, and documentation included in the notes of the video:
https://youtu.be/utyJt_Clp3M 

1 year ago, I redesigned the combiner board again using small MuRata chokes at 
each antenna input to eliminate the need for the outboard feedline chokes.
This is the board I am using now.
Gerbers, BOM, and documentation included in the notes of the video:
https://youtu.be/lVW1CmrzP7c 

I do not sell boards. I have no interest in any commercial endeavour.  My 
desire is to share my projects if others want to build them.
If you do build one of these, please read all the documentation included with 
each video.
It is very easy to upload the Gerber files to a PCB vendor and get boards made.
The PI4CC group asked if they could sell my boards to those that don't want to 
get their own made and I agreed
I have no involvement with them.

For these arrays, and other RX antennas that provide DC power via the coax 
feedline (bias-T) I strongly recommend that the PCBs be thoroughly cleaned of 
flux and a conformal coating be applied.
My experience is that residual solder flux can attract debris and moisture and 
lead to noise issues.  This is especially true at the F-connectors that have 
12v DC on the centre conductor.
Use a good flux remover and tooth brush followed by a water rinse and apply an 
acrylic conformal coating.
In this (unrelated) video at 8:00 is show how I clean my boards: 
https://youtu.be/_HvBf_tnjEg 

Why youtube videos? Why not write a paper? 
I am aware there are those don’t like YouTube videos.
In my prior life as a scientist in the Oil and Gas exploration business for 35 
years all I did was write papers and build powerpoint presentations.
I don’t want to do that anymore, but making a video is easy and fun to do. I 
share videos about building radio stuff like guys make videos about making 
furniture.
more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/ve6wz 


73, de steve ve6wz

> On Dec 6, 2022, at 12:46 PM, John Kaufmann via Topband 
>  wrote:
> 
> Here is additional information on the 9-circle low-band receiving array.  It
> was originally designed for operation on both 160 and 80 meters.
> 
> It was based on a couple articles I wrote for NCJ in the September/October
> and November/December issues in 2011.  The design was turned into a set of
> electronics kits that were produced and sold by DX Engineering in
> collaboration with the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) and myself.
> There were a few changes made in the DX Engineering implementation relative
> to the NCJ design, the most significant being a reduction in the circle
> diameter from 140 to 120 feet.  This reduction had negligible effect on 160m
> but it improved the 80m performance and also allowed the array to produce
> "usable" performance on 40m.  
> 
> The DX Engineering kits eventually sold out and were discontinued after
> that.  However, there are still a few direction switch box kits left over
> that you can order from DX Engineering:
> https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-yccc-switch.  You can also download
> a copy of the system user's manual from DX Engineering:
> https://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/instructions/dxe-yccc-switch.
> pdf.   The manual has a lot of technical information about the system,
> including circuit diagrams and beam pattern calculations, as well as
> assembly instructions for the DX Engineering kits.
> 
> More recently, PI4CC has produced 9-circle PCB's that you learn about here:
> https://www.pi4cc.nl/tech-info/rx-array/.  VE6WZ also created his own
> version of the PCB's and he will share the info with you, or he may chime in
> here.  You can learn more about the VE6WZ system on his qrz.com page.
> 
> Disclaimer:  I have no commercial interest in or affiliation with any of the
> sources of electronics mentioned above.
> 
> 73, John W1FV

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Re: Topband: 160 today (11/15/22)

[VE6WZ_Steve]

FB on Asia picking up for you Ron.
Indeed the JAs and Kim where very strong here this morning.

Also on the band is Dieter, DL3DXX from his HS0ZFE station getting ready for 
CQWW.
I heard him call Kim HL5IVL, then he moved up the band and called CQ.
He got my call ok on my second call, so he has good ears.
He was best on the west RX, which is a skew path. (Direct path is very NE)

My RBN skimmers were working overtime this morning.

FYI, With my new RX system using splitters and switches allows me to RX in 
multiple directions at the same time.
I now have 2 dedicated 160m skimmers, and usually one is on the VK-ZL RX, while 
the other is Asia.
I am splitting out each skimmer with unique names so I can track each and do 
some antenna evaluation over the winter.
You may see VE6WZ-1, and VE6WZ-2.


73, de steve ve6wz

> On Nov 15, 2022, at 12:30 PM, Ron Spencer via Topband 
>  wrote:
> 
> Last night pretty good prop to EU. Worked several stations. But, not much 
> activity.
> 
> 
> 
> This morning, K3ZM was waking the band up. Heard several JA and HL5IVL call 
> and work him. I tried CQing but got no answers (guess I need to improve my 
> signal!). 
> 
> 
> 
> But, couple JA's did call CQ as did Kim (HL5IVL) and I was able to work them. 
> Nice to (finally) have prop in that direction. Hoping it continues and gets 
> better. 
> 
> 
> 
> Adrian, VK2WF, was reported on but I never heard anything from him. 
> 
> 
> 
> Would have been interesting to hear what the far east signals sounded like 
> from the place I have in NM (grid DM64). Bet they were LOUD! Even on my short 
> beverage to the NE. 
> 
> 
> 
> 73
> 
> 
> 
> Ron
> 
> N4XD
> 
> 
> Sent using https://www.zoho.com/mail/
> _
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Re: Topband: Top Band: Stew Perry Contest

[VE6WZ_Steve]

A VE6WZ 160m log extract and excel pivot table shows a remarkable correlation 
with solar activity and trans-polar DX.

This season for the 3 months from August to now I have had 3 CW QSOs with EU. 
(OZ4MM, OK1CF and OM2XW)
Last year, 2021 for the same 3 months I had 273 EU QSOs,
In 2020 for the same 3 months I had 412 EU QSOs
and in 2019 for the same 3 months I logged 122 EU QSOs

I am very active on TB, and even when not CQ, I will be watching the RBN spots 
and/or looking at the 160m waterfall to see if there is a band opening to 
Europe (even using my iPhone when watching TV).
These statistics are not related to my personal level of activity.  If the band 
is open to EU, I will know it. I have my “eye on the band" pretty much every 
night during the winter.
The trans-polar path to EU has simply shut down this year.
Entirely as expected.
To be clear, this does NOT mean 160m DX is done, and in fact SA, Japan and 
VK-ZL-OC remains very workable on a regular basis.  Even through the summer.
These are mostly non-polar paths. Just like east coast NA working EU.
From VE6 the EU path is directly through the AU doughnut, so any significant 
increase in the geo-mag heat will shut things down….in a hurry.

I was only QRV for the SP contest last night for about 30min in the evening and 
listened a bit this morning.
Indeed conditions were poor.  Even the east coast NA was weak.

73, de steve ve6wz


> 
> On 10/23/2022 10:47 AM, Patrick Parmentier wrote:
>> Yes, the conditions remain below last year's level .
> 
> As we continue upward on the solar cycle, HF gets better, MF continues to 
> gets worse.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 

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Topband: 8Q7WM log now on Clublog

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Today I see that Karel has his 8Q7WM log loaded onto Clublog.
https://clublog.org/logsearch.php


73, de steve ve6wz
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Re: Topband: 8Q7WM Z-22 in VE6

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Robin…

No I did not RX on anything but the Beverages and 9 C.
However….who knows? Perhaps they might have been better if I had.

This morning Kevin VK6LW was crazy strong, but it seems the 8Q7 boys diid not 
show up.
Let's hope they keep trying that path before they leave.

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Feb 28, 2022, at 10:56 PM, Robin  wrote:
> 
> Hi Steve
> 
> Did you try a high angle receive antenna?  Not so sure on this end, but when 
> we were working skew paths from XZ0A we simply had to have a cloud warmer 
> receive antenna in order to hear anything until a couple hours after local 
> dark. Went several days of near nothing until we put up a dipole at 15 feet, 
> then made something like 30 eastern NA Qs the first night we had that antenna.
> 
> Almost all of the skew contacts we made were reported as arriving from 
> 210-240 for NA east of the Midwest..
> 
> This was during a solar high when the polar oval was strong, so nothing was 
> making it through that area.
> 
> This condition was consistent for several weeks - all the time we were there.
> 
> Quiet environment, diesel powered island hotel, several miles across water to 
> the typical noisy Asian town, and a lot of miles to a big city.
> 
> TX antenna was a full size quarter wave groundplane.  (180 ft antenna fed at 
> 50 ft with dozen radials), so it probably did have a modest high angle signal 
> - a big fat main lobe.
> 
> to this day we have no idea if the RX arrival angle matched the TX departure 
> angle.  The low dipole was not TX grade.
> 
> Robin, WA6CDR
> XZ0A
> 
> 
> - Original Message - From: "VE6WZ_Steve" 
> To: "Topband" 
> Sent: Monday, February 28, 2022 12:14
> Subject: Topband: 8Q7WM Z-22 in VE6
> 
> 
>> Well, today a miracle happened.
>> I worked 8Q7WM on 160m CW for a new DXCC and Z-22.
>> His signal peaked at about 1415 z or so.  My SR at 1430z.
>> 
>> First of all, I owe thanks to Bob W7RH for spotting 8Q7WM this morning on 
>> 160m.
>> For the last few months, I have been lazy and sleeping in.  This morning I 
>> got up about 25 min before my sunrise and checked the band.
>> I saw Bob's spot for the 8Q7 on 1821, and thought, “well, I will never hear 
>> him, but I my as well check”
>> 
>> I was so shocked when I heard his CQ that I almost fell out of my chair.
>> His signal was arriving at the usual skew path that most of SE Asia arrives, 
>> somewhere between Japan path at 320 deg. and direct west at 270 deg.
>> The direct path to 8Q7 from VE6 is virtually straight north polar at 352 deg.
>> 
>> Here are a few recordings I made of his signal.
>> If you decide to listen to these, don't even bother without headphones, he 
>> is weak. Really weak.
>> These recordings are in stereo diversity, in the Left ear is the phased 
>> Beverage pair, in the Right ear is the 9 circle .
>> Both RX are set direct west, although he was also copyable on the JA rx too.
>> 
>> While the amp was warming up I recorded this CQ:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing
>>  
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing>
>> 
>> Next Kevin VK6LW called, and I recorded his 2-way QSO:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing
>>  
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing>
>> 
>> After Kevin finished, the amp was warm so I called.
>> I am actually embarrassed about my calling.  I was so stunned that I could 
>> copy him, I was messing up my reports, and sending my call way too many 
>> times.
>> I think it's clear that I was doubling with him, and I almost ruined my own 
>> QSO.
>> He went into a QSB fade right when I called, so I wasn't sure he had my call 
>> correct, so I think he was unsure I had confirmed.
>> AT 2:05 he sends VE6WZ?
>> I resend my call and report,
>> At 2:40 he sends VE6WZ 5NN,
>> I CFM and at 3:05 8Q7 sends CFM.
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing
>>  
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing>
>> 
>> Here he is QRZ? with Dennis, ZL1AZ and JI1DCW calling:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing
>>  
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing>
>> 
>> The band has remained very poor and the EU trans-polar path has not opened 
>>

Topband: 8Q7WM Z-22 in VE6

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Well, today a miracle happened.
I worked 8Q7WM on 160m CW for a new DXCC and Z-22.
His signal peaked at about 1415 z or so.  My SR at 1430z.

First of all, I owe thanks to Bob W7RH for spotting 8Q7WM this morning on 160m.
For the last few months, I have been lazy and sleeping in.  This morning I got 
up about 25 min before my sunrise and checked the band.
I saw Bob's spot for the 8Q7 on 1821, and thought, “well, I will never hear 
him, but I my as well check”

I was so shocked when I heard his CQ that I almost fell out of my chair.
His signal was arriving at the usual skew path that most of SE Asia arrives, 
somewhere between Japan path at 320 deg. and direct west at 270 deg.
The direct path to 8Q7 from VE6 is virtually straight north polar at 352 deg.

Here are a few recordings I made of his signal.
If you decide to listen to these, don't even bother without headphones, he is 
weak. Really weak.
These recordings are in stereo diversity, in the Left ear is the phased 
Beverage pair, in the Right ear is the 9 circle .
Both RX are set direct west, although he was also copyable on the JA rx too.

While the amp was warming up I recorded this CQ:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing
 


Next Kevin VK6LW called, and I recorded his 2-way QSO:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing
 


After Kevin finished, the amp was warm so I called.
I am actually embarrassed about my calling.  I was so stunned that I could copy 
him, I was messing up my reports, and sending my call way too many times.
I think it's clear that I was doubling with him, and I almost ruined my own QSO.
He went into a QSB fade right when I called, so I wasn't sure he had my call 
correct, so I think he was unsure I had confirmed.
AT 2:05 he sends VE6WZ?
I resend my call and report,
At 2:40 he sends VE6WZ 5NN,
I CFM and at 3:05 8Q7 sends CFM.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing
 


Here he is QRZ? with Dennis, ZL1AZ and JI1DCW calling:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing
 


The band has remained very poor and the EU trans-polar path has not opened for 
a few weeks.
Working Z 22, which is a direct polar path I never would have imagined, but of 
course the opening was a skew path, completely avoiding the AU !

Thanks to Karel OK2WM for pulling me out, and for setting up an excellent TX on 
the beautiful beach in the Maldives.

Good luck to the other WC guys.  It seems Karel and Vlad will be there till 
March 8.

73, de steve ve6wz
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Re: Topband: Relay bounce

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Steve,

Using open frame relays can often lead to problems, especially in an outdoor 
environment in a low signal RX path.

I have well over 40 relays at my remote switching various RX antennas in the 
field.
Over the last 10 years I have had no failures or intermittent issues using 
sealed small signal relays like the Omron G5V-2.
Look inside almost any modern radio and you will see these same relays.

I have a YouTube video showing exactly what kind of relays I use.
The video also shows the construction method, schematic and I include the PCB 
files and a BOM if you want to build your own.
https://youtu.be/Ei7q1Hy6FDk 

73,de steve ve6wz

> On Feb 22, 2022, at 11:04 AM, Steve London  wrote:
> 
> I am using an Ameritron RCS-4 antenna switch to select between beverage
> antennas. Recently, it has developed a bad case of relay bounce causing an
> S9 spike every time I switch between antennas. Any suggestions on how to
> improve this ? Since it's only used for RX antenna selection, I'm amenable
> to replacing the relays with something else, although I have had issues
> before with other relays due to no current going through the contacts.
> 
> Thanks and 73,
> Steve, N2IC
> _
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Re: Topband: Array of MiniWhips?

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hello Ash,

The small vertical (HI-z) arrays like the 8 circle and 9 circle depend on VERY 
accurate phase and amplitude between elements.
Even small variation in amplitude, or phase can destroy the pattern and RDF 
which is what makes these arrays effective.

The HI-z amplifiers used in these arrays have very accurate phase and amplitude 
which is normalized between all units.
I do not know what the PA0RDT amps are like, but this is a crucial thing you 
need to look at.

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Feb 19, 2022, at 1:25 AM, Ashraf Chaabane  wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> We recently built a couple of PA0RDT MiniWhip antennas that worked fine on 
> low bands (see http://www.kf5eyy.info/technical.htm) and we wonder if these 
> were used by anyone to make a steerable array.
> 
> Please advise.
> 
> 73 Ash 3V8SF 3V8SS
> 
> www.kf5eyy.info
> _
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Topband: 9 circle PCB update and performance

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Here is an update on my new 9 circle combiner board, and some comments about 
performance, and the array in general.

First, I have already made a revision to the PCB.  The latest is Ver. 3.2.
However, this board change is very minor.  I have decided to omit RFC L10 that 
goes from the RF out F-connector ground to the PCB ground.
The reason for the change, is if you only have a ground rod connected to the 
combiner, or a poor ground return connected to the ground lug, there can be an 
increase in system noise.
If you already have my first Ver 3.1 board, then I recommend you just omit L10, 
although it will still work fine with it.  Make sure you have a good DC ground 
return back to the shack connected to the ground lug.

So far performance has been very good although without A-B testing I can’t say 
the new board performs any better than the old one.
Perhaps this is to be expected since nothing has changed except having the CMCs 
integrated onto the board.

However, I wanted to share my thoughts about this 9 circle array in general 
based on my experience over the last few years.
Specifically, I have had emails from folks talking about the low output of the 
array, and how it seems to be insensitive to the very weak signals.
My rural, hilltop QTH is a VERY low noise location.  I have found with the 9 
circle array I absolutely require a pre-amp after the combiner, and when used 
with the K3s, I also need the rig pre-amp.
When using, the Flex radio, I require the post combiner pre-amp and the 16 dB 
Flex pre-amp as well.  Without the added rig pre-amps, indeed the array at my 
QTH will not copy the very weak ones.

The other question I get (a LOT) is how does the array compare to my Beverages? 
 I have 15 Beverage wires, all between 900' and 1000’ long.
I have 3 single wires, and 6 directions with broadside phased pairs spaced 
400’.  My Beverage RX system is a mostly a no-compromise installation.

So, most of the time, the 9 circle will copy equally well to the single wire 
Beverages, and sometimes the phased pairs will copy better, but that is only 
noticeable on the very weak ones that are barley above the noise.

Maybe it is best to listen yourself to a few examples?
When I am QRV on 160m, I am ALWAYS, 100% of the time, listening in stereo 
diversity.  I have the Beverages in the left ear, and the 9 circle in the right 
ear.

The following links are sound recordings in stereo.  If you listen, wear  
headphones (yes they are weak DX) and maybe take the left ear off, then the 
right ear to compare.
I think you will notice there is not a lot of difference between the Beverages 
and the 9C.

Here is a CQ from Andy DL8LAS yesterday Feb 10 (before the band blew up):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/140I-RFRvaeULD89sjjgyybthgy8k2gSF/view?usp=sharing
 


And here is our QSO from yesterday.  The QSB was very deep so this might be a 
better comparison for the very weak signals:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ywINB81E9gc9RKkaAuqLDRPwHqBj94BV/view?usp=sharing
 


The above recording were using the new combiner board.

Here is a recording from Dec 9, 2021 of Andy’s signal with the old board.
This is a very good example of how stereo diversity can modulate between your 
ears depending on which RX antenna is peaking:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YGa7PihQ2dbxfpcbfN51zqfe9vv9A4r8/view?usp=sharing
 


My conclusion is that the 9 circle array AT MY QTH can keep up with the 
Beverages.  Indeed every location will be different.
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of the 9C array, is it gives me 8 
directions of a second RX system for DXing diversity, and for contest multi 
direction RX.

73, de steve ve6wz

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Re: Topband: F connector how-to video

[VE6WZ_Steve]

One thing I did not mention in my video is that not all RG-6 is not the same. 
(obviously)
Beside quad shield vs single shield, and flooded vs not, the jacket design can 
really effect things.
I have used all of the above, and mostly use flooded quad shield now.

However, some cable is more “forgiving” when trying to get that connector on.
It seems some of the direct burial cable has a very tough, almost rigid jacket 
that seems to resist expansion when pushing the connector on.
On the other hand, some indoor cables seems more soft and pliable and the 
connectors slide right on.
Also, it's seems that some cable designs are more prone to having the shield 
catch and bunch up.  Maybe the shield stands are to more tightly bound to the 
centre conductor?

When you find a cable that you like, stick with it!

The wonderful thing about RG-6 is that it's very affordable simply because it 
is so mass produced to meet the needs of the cable TV/internet market.
Great stuff for feeding our RX antennas.

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Feb 4, 2022, at 8:11 AM, David Olean  wrote:
> 
> I was happy to see this video. I have put on hundreds of these connectors, 
> but was unsure of the proper method. I used the brute force method and 
> usually found myself pushing the connector against a tree and ramming the 
> cable in as hard as I could.  And, yes, all my antenna work is done in 
> winter, in the dark, when it is snowing and my boots are wet..  I got lots of 
> good pointers for sure. Thanks
> 
> Dave K1WHS
> 
> On 2/4/2022 12:12 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>> 
>> On 2/3/2022 7:29 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:
>>> “Why the “F” won’t it go on ?”
>>> https://youtu.be/pE04tDpdhRA <https://youtu.be/pE04tDpdhRA>
>>> 73, de steve ve6wz
>>> _
>> 
>> YMMV, but what I do is actually use the conical spreading tool you show on 
>> the video (that you say doesn't work) and it works perfectly for me every 
>> time.  I only use Belden connectors, like the ones you show but
>> don't use.  I prefer the yellow Palladin stripper and the Platinum Tools 
>> Copper Clad Steel Coax Cutters available at Tech Tool Supply.
>> 
>> You are correct that heat is magic for making them go on
>> easily.  Same as putting hoses on hose barbs (or removing them). For
>> hoses I use boiling water.
>> 
>> 73
>> Rick N6RK
>> _
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Topband: F connector how-to video

[VE6WZ_Steve]

“Why the “F” won’t it go on ?”

I have probably installed over 150 F connectors to RG-6 in the field for my 
Beverages and other RX antennas.
I’m sure many on this list have done the same, but tonight I uploaded a How-To 
video explaining why these "Snap-N-seal” connectors often seem to jam up and 
are hard to get on.
The 10 min. video shows how these compression fittings work, what causes them 
to jam up and some tips to make the installation a bit easier and less painful.

https://youtu.be/pE04tDpdhRA 

73, de steve ve6wz
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Re: Topband: VE6WZ DIY 9-circle combiner board with on board chokes

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Rich,

I’m afraid that won’t work on either of my previous board designs or on the 
original YCCC combiner board.
This is because the boards all have a low impedance ground plane that the 
F-connectors are 4-point soldered to.
There is no (easy) way to isolate each connector from the ground plane.

73, de steve ve6wz


> On Feb 1, 2022, at 2:01 PM, Rich Dailey  wrote:
> 
> Thanks for your continuing work on this Steve. I'm currently using the dual 
> core/ RG179 transformer designs enclosed in pvc, with short equal jumpers to 
> your last combiner/amp design (just using it 
> as a N.S.E.W. 5-circle this winter). I may take one of my spare combiner 
> boards and build it up, cutting in the Murata devices on the five inputs, and 
> mount it in a plastic enclosure. I do like having the onboard preamp. This is 
> certainly a $$$ saving option, and reduces the F connections! 
> tnx... Rich, N8UX 
> _
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Topband: New 9 circle PCB with CMCs

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hello fellow DXers,

Today I uploaded a YouTube video describing my new 9 circle combiner board PCB 
design that has small Murata SMD CMCs on each RG-6 feedline.

I include PCB file links to download in both KiCad format or a zipped Gerber 
folder if you want to build your own.  A BOM and an image of the schematic is 
included as well.
This is the 9-circle array that was designed by John W1FV.

I review why we need these CMCs, I talk about these small Murata chokes and 
some VNA tests I did and how these same units can be used as Magic-T’s.
The new design also has a pin-out for the vcc and relay control lines, has the 
option for gas discharge tubes on the vcc and control lines, and the board has 
a slightly larger footprint than my previous designs so its its easier to 
access the F-connecters for field installation.

The evaluation is still on-going at VE6WZ, but the board tested very well in 
the shop with the VNA, and I used it this weekend for the CQWW 160m test and it 
performed well.

I know there are many that “don’t like” to watch a video, and I may build a PDF 
document, but in my “prior life”, all I did was make technical/ scientific 
documents and I’d rather not do that anymore.
It’s much easier to say things quickly in a video.  If a picture is worth a 
1,000 words, then a video is worth a million.

https://youtu.be/lVW1CmrzP7c 

73, de steve ve6wz
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Topband: TB conditions at VE6WZ 2021 season

[VE6WZ_Steve]

With the discussion about declining condx on TB, I decided to do a log extract 
to compare the last few years here at VE6WZ.
I am fairly QRV on 160m CW, often calling CQ most nights and checking the spots 
for EU.

Its very easy to do a log extract based on a time period and using a pivot 
table in Excel I can sort by continent and band.
I filter for Europe QSOs only, since working Japan and VK-ZL is less 
challenging and influenced by geo-magnetic conditions here in VE6.
The trans-polar path to EU is strongly effected by even the slightest elevation 
in solar wind and AU activity.

Indeed, 2021 has been noticeably muted compared to 2020 and 2019.

This season 5 months since August:
484 EU CW QSOs, with 144 unique callsigns

Last year (2020) 5 months same period:
1,185 EU CW QSOs, with 318 unique callsigns

2 years ago (2019) 5 months same period:
1,445 EU CW QSOs, with 492 unique callsigns

This season (2021) there have been very few direct north polar openings into 
Russia, and even the N. EU path has been muted.
Noticeably absent has been our early morning trans-polar EU openings this year.
The last few weeks, even with an elevated solar wind, there have been a few EU 
openings.
However, most signals have been strongly skewed southward with the east 
Beverage being much better than the direct 21 or 45 deg broadside pairs. 
(almost a 90 deg path skew!)
These skewed signals have also been extremely weak, somewhat distorted and 
un-stable making it very difficult to pull out the calls.  Also, when using the 
east RX, more of the US mid-west and gulf coast T-storms will increase the QRN 
and make copy more difficult.

Certainly the declining trans-polar condx are not surprising as we move up into 
the next solar cycle, but there is still a fair bit of activity and DX to 
worked on 160m CW.
Here is my annual list of the most worked EU stations.  I really think is a 
list of the most active TB operators in EU.
Sure, there are likely many other EU ops that are lurking on 160m, but the guys 
at the top of this list are almost always heard calling CQ and trying to keep 
the band alive.
“If no one calls CQ, then no one is going to work anyone”

The “Top 38 EU logged at VE6WZ” list for 2021:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RiodAQYiuzDshoA-7i-_Ck7j0EJ8QtVb/view?usp=sharing
 


73, de steve ve6wz
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Topband: 160m last night

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night the band was in fine shape again. It sounded like there was a lot of 
activity from NA.
Kevin KL7KY was also working into EU.

I logged 37 EU last night with a few “new, never logged on 160m” callsigns.
5B4AJC and OX7AM both had very good signals.
A highlight was working Ash 3V8SH at 420z.  Ash only runs 100w so he was not 
strong, but good enough for the QSO.
Unfortunately I did not have my sound file recorder running at the time, but I 
did take a screen shot of his trace on the Flex waterfall.
On the image I circle his trace when we QSOd, but you can “see” him calling 
earlier with a faint trace.  Other EU CQs can also be seen across the band:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ORf4E9zCHsSWL3FLMJJXfE6tfQStf-vQ/view?usp=sharing

I will not be QRV for the next few days since I am travelling to visit my 
daughter and grand kids.

Keep the band alive….it seems like the condx have been pretty good lately, and 
might be FB for the contest this weekend.

73, de steve ve6wz
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Topband: EU condx report, Pre-Stew and 7P8 at VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

What a difference a few nights make.  Last night I logged 45 EU, and could have 
worked more had I not watched a TV show with the xyl.
Some extremely strong EU signals into VE6 last night, and the 7P8 pileup was 
lit-up with EU callers.
I was very happy to work 7P8RU last night on TB, since I was shut-out from both 
S9OK and 3DA0.

During the Pre-Stew the trans-polar EU path was very muted and I only worked 13 
EU, and 2 JA.  I’m pretty sure I could have worked 60 or more if we had the 
prop like last night.
In fact last year I placed #1 in the Pre-Stew, but I worked 70 EU, 13 JA and a 
few OC.  I’m pretty sure that will be the first and only time I ever win a 
global DX contest.
But in order to be competitive with the east coast, we need both a good 
trans-polar EU opening and a good Asia-OC run to get those points.

So far this season since Aug 1, I have had 225 EU CW QSOs on 160m, with 71 
unique callsigns. For the same 3 month period last year, I worked 412 EU with 
155 unique callsigns, so perhaps conditions are down a bit this year?
However, I have been able to work into EU almost every night since late 
August…usually OK1CF or DL8LAS.   It seems this season there have been few 
“strong” openings.
Here is the VE6WZ 160m EU CW list so far this season.  This is the “who's-who” 
of the most active on 160m CW ranking:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RiodAQYiuzDshoA-7i-_Ck7j0EJ8QtVb/view?usp=sharing

Personal musings on 160m propagation and activity:

There are those who like to contest
There are those who like to add to the DXCC total
There are those who like to call CQ and work any DX, anytime…...

My observation is that this season the band has been very unstable.
With the exception of VERY few nights, the QSB has been fast and deep with 
signals peaking for 20-30 seconds and then gone below the noise for minutes at 
a time.
Checking RBN spots for only a few minutes will likely make you conclude the 
band is dead.  I am CQ on 160m almost every night, sometimes for an hour or 
more at time.
Without calling CQ I would probably have worked only a small fraction of the 
225 QSOs this season.
OK1CF, DL8LAS, OZ7YY and LY7M are almost always QRV and calling CQ.  Even when 
not at the radio, I can check the Flex waterfall and see what 160m CW traces 
are showing up, and dash to the radio.

As Roger G3YRO has noted a “few” times, sometimes there is limited NA activity 
on 160m CW.  The fact is, I used to call CQ a lot on 40m and 80m, but I don't 
do that much anymore.
Those bands now seem a bit mundane and less exciting so I’m not inclined to be 
active there.
That is probably the case with many of the NA ops on 160m, especially on the EC 
where EU is very common and easy to work, and watching a good TV show is more 
interesting than working the “same old guys” every night!
Unless it’s a new DXCC, it seems most ops, (even in EU based on listening to 
all the strong EU callsigns in the 7P8 pileup last night) have little interest 
in “plain-old” DXing.
Its common to hear guys say “oh, yeh I heard him on last night, but I don't 
need him”.  And for sure there is a very large number of ops that are only 
waiting for the next contest.  Nightly DXing is not a normal activity.

It’s a big hobby and there is room for us all.

For some reason I still find it exciting to hear those weak EU signals just 
bubbling up above the noise.  Any DX on TB is DX even if I've worked him 50 
times.
If you like CW and working DX on 160m, get on the band and start calling CQ if 
you can.  Just because the band seems “dead” you might be surprised how many 
calls you get when the DX gets your QSB peak.
The Joe Taylor mode benefits a LOT from this effect because there are so many 
guys calling “CQ”…..every 15 seconds for hours!  There is simply a better 
chance of catching that QSB peak.

There is a lot of DX to work on 160m CW (well maybe not “new ones”), and 
remember that the old saying really is a true fact:
“If no one calls CQ, then no one will be working any one”

73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Re: Topband: Congratulations - VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Thanks for the cograts, and thanks to Yasme for selecting me.

I only got an email from Yasme a few days ago telling me about this.
I am both very surprised and honoured, especially to be alongside those well 
respected past recipients.
Although I can see the number of views on some of my videos, I am never really 
sure how many guys either watch or get much out of them.

Indeed there are others out there who are equally deserving and contribute to 
our hobby, many of which are on this list and who have helped me.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Re: Topband: VE6WZ loud as local today

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Thanks Jim!

I appreciate your compliment.  I have a long way to go to catch up to you!
Indeed I find building things to be a very big part of the hobby.  Perhaps 
equal to, or even greater than operating.
There are still many things we can home brew and experiment with in this hobby.

Writing technical papers, giving power-point presentations and making proposals 
was a big part of my “prior life” as an Oil and Gas Exploration Geologist 
(actually I’m a scientist, not an Engineer) and I really dont want to do that 
anymore!
For myself, picking up my iPhone and yakking about something is pretty easy, 
and much easier than writing a paper.  I hope others find some of my ideas and 
methods on YouTube helpful.

Steve, ve6wz


> On Sep 15, 2021, at 2:50 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
> On 9/14/2021 9:14 PM, Andree DL8LAS via Topband wrote:
>> Nice signal from Steve VE6WZ todaybut not much activity from NA
> 
> Steve has built himself a magnificent super-station on property that he 
> carefully selected on a knoll north of Calgary, where he lives. He's done a 
> lot to document it, with links on his qrz.com page. It's a great example of 
> classic engineering -- design to solve specific problems/needs. He's in the 
> middle of nowhere with excellent RX antennas and custom-built TX antennas. 
> It's a whole lot of classic stuff done right.
> 
> Start with this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upyHWBUAdk4
> Then this paper.
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eVklkZtlJW93JIJ9oDqbCyl-Jkik6YEX/view
> And this, about his 160M TX antenna.
> https://youtu.be/VXDTEj0xDJU
> 
> Bottom line -- Steve is loud because he's a great engineer and has built a 
> great station in the middle of nowhere where he can hear! My hat is off to 
> him!
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
> _
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Re: Topband: Results: "Fusing" Beverage Antennas From Falling Trees

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Randy,

I’m glad the system is working for you.
I have 15 Beverage wires with about 2.5 miles (4km) of wire through dense old 
forest and will have down trees regularly after a storm.
Perhaps every 2 weeks I have a down tree, and need to visit with the chain saw. 
 I cant imagine if I had to repair broken wires every time….especially in the 
winter.
I’m sure I have removed well over 50 down trees over the last few years. (I 
lost count long ago). In fact I fixed three down trees yesterday.

With so many Beverages, if I needed to walk and check every wire for a problem 
it would takes hours, since I would need to hike over 5 miles (8km) in the 
bush!!
To solve this problem, I can check each wire from the comfort of my home (100km 
away from the remote) by using my antenna analyzer which is permanently set up 
to be switched in and sweep each wire to compare to a saved sweep.  Even the 
slightest problem its quite obvious.  Also, using TDR I can see a bad feedline 
and isolate the location within a few feet.
For those with a sizeable Beverage set-up, I encourage you to consider using 
this method to check for problems.  Even from a base station, its great to be 
able to check all your wires in a few minutes before a contest, and know 
exactly which wire has a problem.

I made a YouTube video about this system if anyone is interested: 
https://youtu.be/PA67Tz-1TO4 

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Sep 15, 2021, at 5:58 AM, Randy via Topband  wrote:
> 
> I thought that I would report to the reflector the results of my efforts to 
> find a way to deal with falling branches and trees causing my beverage wires 
> to need constant repair. My beverages are 8 feet high and 650 feet long and 
> run through densely wooded areas.  I use WD-1A military comm wire which is 
> tough stuff but breaks when a large branch or tree fall across it. Several 
> months ago I posted a request on the reflector looking for ideas as to how to 
> deal with the problem.  I got several very good suggestions including one 
> from Steve VE6WZ. He suggested using a counterweight on the ground at each 
> end of the beverage.  The weight would will be pulled upward if a tree fell 
> across the wire and hopefully the wire would not break.   Knowing that we 
> have lots of summer storms with high winds I arranged one of the beverages 
> with the weights in May.  The new system worked great.  I had large trees 
> fall across the beverage on more than one occasion and all I need to do was 
> remove the trees and the weights came back to their resting position. I found 
> that a 15 pound weight at each end kept the 650 foot wire taut but would also 
> be light enough to be lifted by a falling tree.  I used plastic electric 
> fence insulators to support the beverage along its length except at the ends 
> where I used small pulleys to lessen the stress on the wire where it bends 
> downward. I have now installed all my beverages using this system.  It will 
> be interesting to see if they survive the winter storms. Thanks to VE6WZ for 
> the idea. 73 Randy W9ZR
> _
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Re: Topband: EU Condx

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Roger,
It was great to hear you call in last night.
Your signal was very solid.  After our QSO when you went up band to CQ, you 
peaked even more and almost hit a real 599.
Not to start the “low-dipole” thread agin, but honestly, that TX antenna really 
does work!

I worked 16 EU last night.
The band finally opened up to N EU.  It was great to QSO with old friends again.
From north EU: OH6RX, SM6DHF, OH2IS, SM5EDX all made it into the log.
A highlight was working HB0/DL5YL for 160m DXCC 221.  It has been a long time 
since I worked a new one.
Luis IV3PRK was also very solid on the QSB peaks, and 9A3JH made it into the 
log too.

73, Steve, ve6wz

> My first time looking for DX on 160 for many weeks, so good to work several
> NA stations last night, including Steve VE6WZ.
> 
> I was also spotted by W7RH in Arizona, although if you called me Bob I
> didn't hear you.
> 
> Hopefully we'll start to get a lot more stations back on the band !
> 
> 73 Roger G3YRO

_
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Topband: EU Condx

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Congrats to Bob W7RH for working SM5EDX last week. Strong DX from AZ.
I was RX on the QRG during his QSO, but I only had a very brief flash of Johns 
call.
Here at VE6WZ my EU RX is at 30 deg or so, and this helps to shut down much of 
the late summer QRN from the US mid-west.
I have had a number of trans-polar openings.

This summer my first EU QSO was F5IN and ON7PQ on Aug 23.  Last year my first 
EU was Andy DL8LAS on Aug 27.

A log extract from last year shows 18 EU QSO by Sept 11, this year I have 
worked 16, but notably absent is northern EU.
The very polar northern EU openings have not really started yet which is shown 
below.

This year (2021) to Sept 11 I have16 EU QSOs logged:

6- OK1CF
2- DL8LAS
2- OZ7YY
2- G4UFK
1- ON7P
1- F5IN
1- PE5T
1- LY7M

Last year (2020) ending Sept 11 I logged 18 EU:

6- DL8LAS
3- SM4DHF
2- SM7BIC
2- OZ7YY
1- OZ4MM
1- SM5EDX
1- F5IN
1- G4UFK

It seems the geo-mag has been a bit more active this season which has shut down 
the extreme polar northern EU paths.
Last night I had brief copy in Luis IV3PRK during his CQ, but the QSB was deep, 
fast and the dips between peaks was very long. OK1CF was very solid, G4UFK and 
LY7M called in with good signals, but the QSB was FAST.

However…..I notice that right now the solar wind has remained around 300m-s for 
some time, and the Bz has been positive (north) which may help stabilize the 
geo-mag and allow some good trans-polar conditions tonight!!

73, de steve ve6wz


_
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Re: Topband: VE6WZ yesterday in DL

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Andy,
I did not have my recorder running for our QSO, but I did take a screen shot of 
my Flex waterfall just after our QSO.
Here is a link to the image. Your trace is FB between all the yellow QRN 
crashes. Karel OK1CF CQ is seen just up band.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HEL42Wo9XL94zjfcAXbV2e6e-_1NwMbR/view?usp=sharing
 


Last night the solar wind and K index shut the EU path down.  No signals making 
it to VE6 at all.

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Aug 25, 2021, at 9:26 AM, Andree DL8LAS via Topband 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> My first QSO this season with VE6WZ Steve yesterday
> very early this year...
> other nice QSO's with good signals:
> N5DG, W8MJ, WA8OLN, N1PGA, K3UL.
> It seems that the condx getting better slowly.
> 
> https://youtu.be/oUwlLqz3m_s
> 
> 
> www.dl8las.com
> _
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Topband: EU Aug 24

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night the solar wind had stabilized at around 300km/s and was even dipping 
lower at times.

I started calling CQ at 0300z.  My sunset is at 2:48z.  I saw OK1CF calling CQ 
on the Flex waterfall and I was able to log him at 0311 ut. with a solid signal.
At 315ut Andy DL8LAS answered my CQ with a good signal and we made the QSO.  I 
also worked Alan G4UFK and OZ7YY.
I could hear a few other weak callers, but the QRN was bad.
The band was clearly in good shape and open, but some very heavy T-storms were 
banging away in eastern Alberta and Saskatchewan so the QRN was horrendous and 
I decided to stop CQ.

I see the solar wind is kicking up, and K has started to jump again, but I will 
be RX again tonight.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Topband: First EU this season

[VE6WZ_Steve]

The geo-mag activity and solar wind finally settled down enough last night to 
allow the band to open over the pole into VE6.

Gord VE6SV was calling CQ earlier in the evening and I saw him spotted by TF4X 
so I decided to start some CQ.
I was also spotted by TF4X a few times, but around 0400z Mike F5IN started up 
CQ and I was very surprised how strong he was.  He peaked just around his SR.

We QSO'd at 0410, and then at bit later Pat ON7PQ answered my CQ.

It's always great to see the band opening up in August!

Here is a recording of Mike F5IN calling CQ last night.  The QRN was not too 
bad on the EU Beverage pair since the mid-west T-storms are mostly off the side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yv8QOGKrrfdhm4-mmEDvnxzqodofPyTw/view?usp=sharing
 


73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Re: Topband: 160 condx

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Luke,

Thanks for being QRV!
In fact thanks to VK3HJ, VK2WF, ZL1AZ, and VK3NX for being QRV on 160m almost 
every day during our NA summer.
Every single day this summer that I have been at the radio before sunrise, one 
or all of the above have been QRV and workable on 160m.
I am surprised that more NA is not QRV….especially from the WC.

My SS is now at 3:12z, and I have started listening for EU, but the geo-mag has 
been stubbornly cycling ever week with elevated periods.  Lets hope things 
settle down a bit for the winter trans-polar session.
I will try and remain active most evenings looking for EU on CW.

73, de steve ve6wz.

> On Aug 11, 2021, at 6:35 PM, List Mail  wrote:
> 
> Not many on at this time of the year, even when there is a little bit of 
> propagation most evenings. I’m really looking forward to the end of winter, 
> when conditions usually improve. It has just been wet and cold, and wet and 
> cold.
> 73, Luke VK3HJ.
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows
> 
> From: David Raymond
> Sent: Thursday, 12 August 2021 2:45 AM
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: 160 condx
> 
> With daytime heat indices in the 100s it's still very QRN here in the 
> midwest.  Fortunately things will begin to improve in a few weeks.
> 
> 73 . . . Dave, W0FLS
> 
> On 8/11/2021 11:28 AM, Ron Spencer via Topband wrote:
>> Andy, DL8LAS, was right, conditions the last couple days have been quite 
>> good. Last night (my time) I was able to work Andy with 100W. Even when 
>> condx are quiet that's a pretty tough task. Karel, OK1CF, is also a pretty 
>> constant signal from EU.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> In my mornings have worked VK2WF, VK3HJ, ZL1AZ all with pretty good signals.
>> 
>> 
>> As Andy noted, good to see activity pick up some, even with it being the 
>> noisy season here in the US.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Ron N4XD
>> Sent using https://www.zoho.com/mail/
>> _
>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
> _
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> 
> _
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Topband: 160m band condx 2018-21

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hello fellow low-band DXers….

Here is a 160m propagation report and trans-polar EU QSO summary from VE6WZ 
during the last 3 winter seasons.
On a few charts I have consolidated Solar indices (SSN and Ap) as well as the 
solar wind data with my EU CW QSOs since 2018.
I have been regularly QRV almost every night on the band, so the database has 
over 4,000 EU CW QSOs since 2018.

This report is focused on the trans-polar EU path since this is most effected 
by the geo-magnetic activity.  All trans-equitorial VK-ZL and Asia DX QSOs are 
excluded from the database.
Indeed there are many factors that influence low-band DX conditions, but I 
think these results strongly confirm the fairly simplistic correlation between 
elevated geo-mag activity and muted trans-polar propagation.
The VE6WZ QTH is on the Eastern slopes of the Rocky mountains, so this report 
is unique to the EU path being very polar. Most of EU is at 20-30 deg AZ from 
here and directly through the AU doughnut.  From my QTH, working EU is somewhat 
similar to the EC working JA.

I had another fun DX season on 160m this winter.  I was QRV calling CQ on 160m 
most nights with the TX array and RX on EU.
This past season on 160m from Aug till May I had 1,448 Europe CW QSOs, with 341 
unique callsigns.  As always, it seems like mostly the same guys every night.
Some nights I worked between 30 and up to 75 EU when the band was hopping.  
Certainly NOT “everyone” has moved to FT-8. There is still a lot of CW activity 
on 160m.
I only worked 68 DXCC on 160, whereas last year I worked 114 DXCC, and in 2018 
worked 104.  The lack of DX-peditions due to COVID muted the activity for sure.

I plotted my nightly EU QSO count on an EXCEL chart vs the Ap index for the 
last three winter DX seasons.  For the Europe trans-polar path, there sure is a 
good correlation with lower geo-mag activity and increased QSO count.
This winter-spring the band slammed shut at the end of January.  There was just 
too much solar wind blasting the ionosphere to sustain a polar path. You can 
see that clearly on the chart, and there is a solid correlation with few QSOs 
on every Ap peak:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ddh830UKbvgSwekJHjYfquo_WrfNs3g2/view?usp=sharing
 


Here is a plot comparing monthly EU QSOs with the solar wind from this past 
winter.  The sudden shut-down of the band in mid January is very clear.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftfvzfN1McWLdGJLinerJb-BQPhdMgOQ/view?usp=sharing
 


And here is a chart I built plotting the daily Ap values vs sunspot numbers 
from 2007 till today.  The 2008-10 "big 160m opening" are pretty obvious with 
the decreasing Ap.
Without doubt, the “BIG 2008-10” lowband opening was epic with 160m CW band 
sometimes sounding like 20m!
The last three seasons although the band has been open, the openings have been 
more tentative and weak. It has been a real test of patience riding the QSB 
wave to complete the QSOs.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tRV8DwsqY7rJLvHGxKW1bs15fr474Asu/view?usp=sharing
 


And here is a plot from 1932 with daily Ap vs SSN.  Usually the Ap (geo-mag 
activity) dips just at the start of the next solar cycle.
Perhaps the curtain is falling on our low-band conditions?  Maybe one more 
good-fair season?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xYpCtqTrj9DbdpDLcCgu79h3sqtjD5b6/view?usp=sharing
 


An finally here is the “Top 40" list of the most QRV European CW champions…the 
VE6WZ repeat QSO list for the last 3 years:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17AX35IKPDDmeKVWxxPDPr3I3twiBovoq/view?usp=sharing
 


I have updated my geo-mag propagation page to include a Monthly Average Ap plot 
to compliment the Solar flux chart.  This replaces the Ap chart from NOAA that 
disappeared last year.
All of my solar data has been sourced from GPZ Potsdam.
https://www.qsl.net/ve6wz/geomag.html 

73, de steve ve6wz.
_
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Re: Topband: Signal source RF amplifier

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Thanks for the info George.
I have watched your video….very FB indeed.

Using the 74HC244 line driver/buffer as a PA is a great idea.  I had heard of 
this idea before, but never found a circuit.
Jim, WA9VEZ put me on to this design which gives good detail and output 
matching ideas.
https://circuitsalad.com/2015/07/23/1-watt-qrp-rf-amp-using-74ac240-or-74ac04-inverter/
 
<https://circuitsalad.com/2015/07/23/1-watt-qrp-rf-amp-using-74ac240-or-74ac04-inverter/>
It’s great to get detail from someone who has already built up the circuit and 
done the experimenting.
This will be a fun project for the next few weeks.

This fellow, Ray Ring has an amazing blog with a gold mine of circuit ideas and 
design.  He is bookmarked on my computer now!
https://circuitsalad.com/ <https://circuitsalad.com/>

73, de steve ve6wz


> On May 3, 2021, at 7:17 AM, GEORGE WALLNER  wrote:
> 
> Hello Steve,
> 
> I have built exactly what you are looking for: a small 200 mW transmitter 
> that can be attached to a drone (including battery).
> 
> For the "PA" stage a I used a 74HC244 buffer, with all the gates paralleled, 
> feeding a resonant tank wound on a ferrite rod, which is also the antenna. 
> The battery is a single 3.7 V 500 mAhr LiPO. My -30 dBi two element loaded 
> loop array can "hear" it from about half a mile, far enough to do RX antenna 
> pattern measurements.
> 
> See : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMujut_5FdY 
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMujut_5FdY>
>  
> GL and 73,
> 
> George
> 
> AA7JV/C6AGU
> 
>  
>  
>  
>  
> On Sun, 2 May 2021 18:46:49 -0600
> 
> VE6WZ_Steve  wrote:
> 
> For field testing, I’m looking for some ideas for a very small RF amplifier 
> to boost the output from a HCMOS 1.843 MHz oscillator.
> 
> These oscillators will give me about 20 mW max, but I need a bit more since I 
> plan to mount it on my small drone and will need a bit more range.
> 
> My drone can lift up 130 grams, so I’d like it to run on a 5v supply. (maybe 
> a 9v battery with regulator or 3 AAA cells)
> 
>  
> I considered something like a Mini Circuits PHA-13ln 21 dB monolithic amp, 
> but not sure thats such a good idea.
> 
> A 2N5109 base amp is a current pig and too heavy.
> 
>  
> Any ideas?
> 
>  
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> 
>  
>  
> _
> 
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
> <http://www.contesting.com/_topband> - Topband Reflector
> 
>  

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Topband: Signal source RF amplifier

[VE6WZ_Steve]

For field testing, I’m looking for some ideas for a very small RF amplifier to 
boost the output from a HCMOS 1.843 MHz oscillator.
These oscillators will give me about 20 mW max, but I need a bit more since I 
plan to mount it on my small drone and will need a bit more range.
My drone can lift up 130 grams, so I’d like it to run on a 5v supply. (maybe a 
9v battery with regulator or 3 AAA cells)

I considered something like a Mini Circuits PHA-13ln 21 dB monolithic amp, but 
not sure thats such a good idea.
A 2N5109 base amp is a current pig and too heavy.

Any ideas?

73, de steve ve6wz



_
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Topband: Noise Canceller- How-to video

[VE6WZ_Steve]

If you have ever tried to eliminate local noise using a phase box (noise 
canceller) like the MFJ-1026 or NCC-1 and been disappointed, you need to watch 
this video.
This video explains how to use these boxes for specific local noise cancelling.
This is NOT about pattern forming, null steering or skywave nulling.  That is a 
different discussion.

Over the years I have met a number of operators that have been disappointed and 
discouraged when using these boxes to eliminate specific local noises.
Often after speaking with them, I discovered that they where unfamiliar with 
the proper set-up and need for a specific Aux or noise antenna to achieve 
proper nulling.
Just hooking these boxes up to some random antennas and hoping for success 
without understanding the theory and objective may not work very well.

For 15 yrs at VE6WZ I have used both the MFJ-1026 and NCC-1 to eliminate local 
noise at my city QTH. 
I show the theory of how these boxes work, and present some tips on set-up and 
adjustment to achieve success. 
This is a HOW-TO video for those unfamiliar with these devices.

https://youtu.be/Gt0Hokz_m3w 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Re: Topband: Summer Projects: Shunt Feeding a HDX589MDPL

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Mike,

In this video I explain exactly what you want to do.  In fact this video is 
about shunt feeding the HDX-589mdpl….your exact tower.
I explain how to adjust the tap height and spacing of the gamma wire to achieve 
a perfect match.

https://youtu.be/cHlc5MTGTFM 

73, de steve, ve6wz

> On Apr 12, 2021, at 4:33 PM,   wrote:
> 
> 
> Greetings to the group,
> 
>Anyone shunt feeding their HDX589 for 160m? Or a duo-band 80m/160m feed?
> 
> 
>I would like to try this with my HDX589 but thought I would ask what
> others have achieved.
>More specifically the spacing and tap points, using independent feeds or
> duo-band matches, etc.?
> 
>I have a JK-Mid-Tri-40 and JK-WARC 10' above that.
> 
>Thanks
> 
> 73  Mike   K9MK/5 
> 
> 
> 
> _
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Topband: Some trans-polar life

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night 160m opened up over the pole into Europe with some very good signals.
C92RU was making it into VE6 at around 0320UT with a fair signal, but I had no 
luck breaking the pileup.

At 0320 SM5EDX made it into the log. 
Between 0400 and 0500z I logged IK7JTF, ON7PQ, EA6BF, F8IHE, G4UFK and G4OJY.

Here is IK7JTF signal during our QSO: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RBit0G9AwsVlQTdj7h8V2liNVBOsXy_y/view?usp=sharing
 

The best was from Franck F8IHE with an outstanding signal: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qCA9DSA-WCxVc-3Pt0XdFyPeJbZrF5uj/view?usp=sharing
 


I was surprised that there was NO other west coast NA on the band at all. (NA5G 
from LA was QRV for a while)  F8IHE continued to CQ for 30 min with a very FB 
signal but no one called him.
Here was how his CQ sounded at around 
0500z:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kXIRQvVi-k3ikyLuFawOTYVWKO9oUlsQ/view?usp=sharing
 


It was nice to see some life on the low bands in between this relentless solar 
attack on our ionosphere, but I fear it may be short lived as these earth 
directed blasts seem to be recurring every week or so with little time for 
things to cool off before the next 27 day rotation.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: VE6WZ remote construction video

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I was honoured to be one of 6 asked to present a slideshow to the Contest Club 
of Ontario 2021 Midwinter Zoom virtual meeting.
Today I made a few edits and uploaded the presentation to my YouTube channel.

The video may be of interest to some here on the TB reflector since I show how 
I designed and built the station from the very beginning.
There are many photos and explanations of the 160m TX array, and my 160m RX 
system as well as station control and switching.

(The video quality is less than ideal since this was recorded live over Zoom)

Video link here: https://youtu.be/94X5zOEAW2g 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: The Magic-T (link correction)

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Today I uploaded a video to my RX series which explains the Magic-T combiner.
I have received a few emails asking me “how do I make the magic-T”? so I 
thought a video would be helpful.

I show the method for winding and building the Magic-T combiner and I explain 
how it is used in phased RX antennas.
The associated 2:1 impedance transformer is discussed, and I show the 
difference between an isolated and auto-transformer architecture.

I also discuss an error that can be made when building phased RX antennas if 
care is not taken to avoid an unintentional 180 phase shift at one of the 
elements, especially if using home-brew matching boxes.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/_Bbt1IcC4bk 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: The Magic-T

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Today I uploaded a video to my RX series which explains the Magic-T combiner.
I have received a few emails asking me “how do I make the magic-T”? so I 
thought a video would be helpful.

I show the method for winding and building the Magic-T combiner and I explain 
how it is used in phased RX antennas.
The associated 2:1 impedance transformer is discussed, and I show the 
difference between an isolated and auto-transformer architecture.

I also discuss an error that can be made when building phased RX antennas if 
care is not taken to avoid an unintentional 180 phase shift at one of the 
elements, especially if using home-brew matching boxes.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/_Bbt1IcC4b -

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: W6 to EU openings last night

[VE6WZ_Steve]

FB Rick,
Its great to see the band opening up further south.

The strange thing (as usual for 160m) is during the last solar min (~2009-11) 
it was more common for the guys down south and CA to be getting the good prop, 
while I sat on the bench with no signals.  I wont even try to explain it, but 
this cycle it seems like the trans-polar prop has been focused more north.

Lets hope condx hold for a while!

73, de steve ve6wz


> On Jan 4, 2021, at 8:04 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist  
> wrote:
> 
> Last night I was surprised to be able to work
> SM0GNU, UR0MC, HA8JI, and almost worked IZ4ZZB
> from my central CA QTH.  Especially UR0MC in
> zone 16 who gave me a 599 report.  I don't
> think I have worked that zone since the ARRL
> 160 contest during the last SS minimum.
> All signals had slow deep QSB.  I had to
> listen on the TX vertical as I don't presently
> have anything beaming EU, although I'm working
> on it.
> 
> Rick N6RK
> _
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Re: Topband: Need Ideas For "Fusing" Beverages From Falling Trees

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Randy,

I have 15 Beverage wires that average about 900’ long. About 2.5 miles of wire. 
 All the wires are in dense, old growth forest.
I have trees falling ALL the time.  Every wire has a counterweight concrete 
block pulley system to prevent breakage.
When a tree falls on a wire (about twice a month), the wire does not break, and 
a quick trip with the chain saw to remove the tree recovers the wire.

You may not be a “video guy” but I made a YouTube that shows the detail of how 
I install it and how they work:
https://youtu.be/l91JL2ImEbk 

And here is a short video showing it in action:
https://youtu.be/GEkA9Hzrwas 

Also, for those that have larger Beverage installations, this video explains 
how I use my antenna analyzer to sweep my wires at any time (even remotely) and 
by comparing the seep to saved files, I know if a wire is down.
This is NOT a trivial problem.  With my Beverage field, to walk and check all 
the wires, I would need to walk about 8 miles through heavy bush! This would 
take the better part of a day.
Before a contest, in 5 minutes, I can check all 15 wires and know if there is a 
tree down or broken term or feed.
https://youtu.be/PA67Tz-1TO4 


73, de steve ve6wz



> On Jan 3, 2021, at 4:54 AM, Randy via Topband  wrote:
> 
> 
> I have several 600 foot beverages made of WD-1A mil wire that run through 
> heavy woods.  They can handle the random falling branch but when a large tree 
> falls over them they break.  The wire is held in place with electric fence 
> plastic insulators that are nailed to trees every 100 feet. I would like to 
> add a smaller diameter wire to each insulator to act as a "fuse" when a tree 
> falls across them.  I am looking for ideas as to the best way to do this.  
> Maybe a number 26 wire?  The wire size has to be heavy enough to support the 
> wire in normal use but weak enough to break when hit by a tree. Suggestions? 
> 73 Randy W9ZR
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Topband: Trans-polar update from VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

After about 2 weeks in the AU penalty box with zero trans-polar DX making it to 
VE6, things have finally started to open up again.

On December 10 the band started to show life. On Dec. 11 I was able to work 10 
EU, and last night I had 18 trans-polar QSOs.
With even slightly disturbed conditions, path skewing is common here in VE6.  
The last 2 nights have shown very dramatic path skewing, with most EU signals 
arriving at 90 or even 120 deg AZ.  Direct path is usually around 30 deg, so 
that is a 60 to 90 deg. southern path skew.  This skew has not been subtle. 
Northern EU and Russia is normally best on the 21 deg phased pair, but the last 
2 nights there is ZERO copy on either the 21 or 45 deg Beverage pairs. 
Nothing….not a trace on the waterfall.  The only signals are on the East or SE 
wires.
However, last night Peter JW7QIA had an exceptional signal, but ONLY on the 
direct 21 deg pair! He was poor copy on the east wire.
Somehow, his very northern QTH was able to make it via the direct path, will 
others didn’t.

I always find this propagation path bending both confounding and fascinating.  
The mechanism at work that allows our signals to somehow deviate and take “a 
longer bent route” to avoid ionospheric disruption is amazing.

Lets hope conditions hold up for a while until the next solar blast.

So far this season there has been good CW activity on 160m.
Since Aug 1, my log shows 775 EU QSOs, with 241 unique callsigns.  This season 
I have had quite a few “first time ever on 160m” callsigns in the log.  Last 
night S53CC called in…I have never worked him before on 160.

However, I never get tired from working the same old guys every night…again and 
again…..it is still exciting to hear those signals bubbling up above the noise, 
even if it is or 35th QSO!!!
Here is the VE6WZ repeat EU QSO list as of Dec 12: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SfUusc33rrw9wazKg3g82i_xehp0TWpd/view?usp=sharing
 


73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Low Dipoles

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Dave,
Indeed you are correct. Sorry about that.
However, broadside I still see a 4.5 dB advantage to the vertical, but of 
course this can vary wildly up OR down depending on ground quality in the near 
field for efficiency and the far-field of the vertical.
A new plot showing both Zenith, and AZ plot at 30 deg wave angle:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OaQI0-2hLUjaG3cyoqp27d6qVURRMixC/view?usp=sharing
 
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OaQI0-2hLUjaG3cyoqp27d6qVURRMixC/view?usp=sharing>

Steve, ve6wz


> On Dec 11, 2020, at 11:07 PM, Dave Cuthbert  wrote:
> 
> The radiation pattern plot shows the dipole end on. Rotate azimuth 90 degrees 
> and the two antennas show the same gain at 30 deg elevation. 
> 
> Dave KH6AQ
> 
> On Fri, Dec 11, 2020 at 10:51 AM VE6WZ_Steve  <mailto:ve...@shaw.ca>> wrote:
> I know this thread has gone on-and-on-and on, but I felt I needed to add to 
> the discussion.
> 
> Regarding Roger G3YRO's 50 years of TB experience using a low dipole, I feel 
> I need to support his observation from the DX side.
> 
> This winter season since August I have had 56 QSOs with the UK, and worked 21 
> unique G callsigns. (Total this season is 775 EU QSOs)
> The top 3 UK repeat QSOs are:
> 
> G3PQA 12 QSOs
> G3YRO 10 QSOs
> G4UFK 7 QSOs
> 
> The truth is, I have heard Roger many more times than we have QSO’d since he 
> seems to have a challenging RX location.
> 
> Now, just working DX is not proof of good performance, BUT the FACT is Roger 
> usually has a signal as good or better that the any of the other regular UK 
> operators.
> This would seem to agree with his RBN observations.  I am also aware that 
> these “QSO totals” could be just a function of Rogers activity, but I have 
> listened to Rogers signal **at the same time** as other UK and EU are QRV, 
> and he is as good as the rest.
> 
> I love to build antennas and I do a lot of modelling.  I know exactly what 
> the zenith and AZ plot a dipole at 50 feet looks like compared to a vertical 
> antenna.  On paper it looks like the worst antenna possible for DX.  I am 
> also aware of the concept that even though the dipole has a lot of energy 
> radiated straight up, there is still some at lower angles. However, the gain 
> from the low dipole compared to a vertical at these lower angles will still 
> contradict what I copy from Roger.  Rogers signal “should” be much diminished 
> compared to others in the UK (or anywhere in EU)  that are using vertically 
> polarized radiators.
> 
> Here is a screen shot from 4NEC2 showing a dipole at 50 feet overlaid with a 
> vertical over average ground. (2.1 dBi).
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rdu94dVqrZQeYOa8KSJjM8MdSin63Pfj/view?usp=sharing
>  
> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rdu94dVqrZQeYOa8KSJjM8MdSin63Pfj/view?usp=sharing>
>  
> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rdu94dVqrZQeYOa8KSJjM8MdSin63Pfj/view?usp=sharing
>  
> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rdu94dVqrZQeYOa8KSJjM8MdSin63Pfj/view?usp=sharing>>
> At best Rogers dipole should be a great vertical iono-sound for testing the 
> ionosphere!  At a 30 deg wave angle the vertical has an 8.5 dB advantage !  
> That is a big number.
> 
> So, I have fair-good copy on Roger one Wednesday night :-) while he is CQing 
> with his dipole, and then he switches to a newly installed vertical.  If 
> indeed his signal bumped by 8.5 dB I think that would be pretty spectacular, 
> and he would then be eclipsing the biggest signals out of EU.  His RBN 
> skimmer spots would also jump by 8.5 dB !?. He would probably be spotted by 
> double the skimmers in NA too.
> In no way do I doubt what the modelling is showing us, but there is something 
> else going on here.
> 
> This really is an interesting study.
> Perhaps our propagation assumption about low-angle dominating is wrong?
> As Roger said and I can attest, most of my copy and QSOs have NOT been at his 
> or my SR or SS.
> 
> Roger, do you have a common mode choke on your dipole feed line?  If your 
> feed line is radiating could it be emulating a vertical?
> 
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
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Topband: Low Dipoles

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I know this thread has gone on-and-on-and on, but I felt I needed to add to the 
discussion.

Regarding Roger G3YRO's 50 years of TB experience using a low dipole, I feel I 
need to support his observation from the DX side.

This winter season since August I have had 56 QSOs with the UK, and worked 21 
unique G callsigns. (Total this season is 775 EU QSOs)
The top 3 UK repeat QSOs are:

G3PQA 12 QSOs
G3YRO 10 QSOs
G4UFK 7 QSOs

The truth is, I have heard Roger many more times than we have QSO’d since he 
seems to have a challenging RX location.

Now, just working DX is not proof of good performance, BUT the FACT is Roger 
usually has a signal as good or better that the any of the other regular UK 
operators.
This would seem to agree with his RBN observations.  I am also aware that these 
“QSO totals” could be just a function of Rogers activity, but I have listened 
to Rogers signal **at the same time** as other UK and EU are QRV, and he is as 
good as the rest.

I love to build antennas and I do a lot of modelling.  I know exactly what the 
zenith and AZ plot a dipole at 50 feet looks like compared to a vertical 
antenna.  On paper it looks like the worst antenna possible for DX.  I am also 
aware of the concept that even though the dipole has a lot of energy radiated 
straight up, there is still some at lower angles. However, the gain from the 
low dipole compared to a vertical at these lower angles will still contradict 
what I copy from Roger.  Rogers signal “should” be much diminished compared to 
others in the UK (or anywhere in EU)  that are using vertically polarized 
radiators.

Here is a screen shot from 4NEC2 showing a dipole at 50 feet overlaid with a 
vertical over average ground. (2.1 dBi).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rdu94dVqrZQeYOa8KSJjM8MdSin63Pfj/view?usp=sharing
 

At best Rogers dipole should be a great vertical iono-sound for testing the 
ionosphere!  At a 30 deg wave angle the vertical has an 8.5 dB advantage !  
That is a big number.

So, I have fair-good copy on Roger one Wednesday night :-) while he is CQing 
with his dipole, and then he switches to a newly installed vertical.  If indeed 
his signal bumped by 8.5 dB I think that would be pretty spectacular, and he 
would then be eclipsing the biggest signals out of EU.  His RBN skimmer spots 
would also jump by 8.5 dB !?. He would probably be spotted by double the 
skimmers in NA too.
In no way do I doubt what the modelling is showing us, but there is something 
else going on here.

This really is an interesting study.
Perhaps our propagation assumption about low-angle dominating is wrong?
As Roger said and I can attest, most of my copy and QSOs have NOT been at his 
or my SR or SS.

Roger, do you have a common mode choke on your dipole feed line?  If your feed 
line is radiating could it be emulating a vertical?

73, de steve ve6wz

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Best conditions of the season

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Strong DX Ron!
It’s great to hear you guys out east working the trans-pacific path.

de steve ve6wz

> On Dec 11, 2020, at 6:11 AM, Ron Spencer via Topband  
> wrote:
> 
> 160 was excellent this morning. Early (1138 with sunrise at 1214) heard, and 
> worked, Tad, JH1HDT. Not long after worked Kim HL5IVL. Kevin VK6LW answered 
> my CQ as did AL7JI (not in that order). Worked Adrian, VK2WF.  Worked Takar, 
> JA7BXS too even though he was zero beat on 1820 with a BC signal making it 
> difficult. Almost 20 minutes after SR still hearing Kim and Tad. Hope we have 
> more of these kind of days! Thanks all for the Qs. 
> 
> 
> 
> Ron
> 
> N4XD
> 
> Sent using https://www.zoho.com/mail/
> _
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Topband: Broadside vs end-fire phasing of RX antennas

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Here is a YouTube video I uploaded a few days ago that explains the difference 
between end-fire and broadside phasing.

I show how this principle is applied to Beverage pairs in either end-fire 
en-echelon configuration or broadside configuration and I discuss the pros-cons 
of each.
4Nec2 models are shown to explain the RDF and FB differences of each 
configuration.

Some very high RDF RX antennas that combine both end-fire and broadside arrays 
are presented such as en-chelon end-fire pairs phased broadside, and two 
broadside phased 3 el end-fire vertical arrays.

https://youtu.be/fQFdUdXw1mU 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Remote control set-up at VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I have received a number of emails asking me how I control my remote station 
from home or when away.
This new video compliments my outside and inside tours of my remote station.

I show what my operation position is like at home, and I talk about why my 
radio of choice now is the Flex instead of the K3.
In the video I show what the Flex panadapter waterfall looks like when 
operating on 160m.

https://youtu.be/fd6DkobdlK4 

btw…last night was another fantastic trans-polar opening.  52 EU QSOs with 6 or 
7 new calls never worked before on 160m!

73, de steve, ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: VE6WZ mid season report

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Here is a 160m mid November report on the trans-polar European conditions and 
activity from VE6WZ.  Generally conditions and CW activity have been good.
If you haven’t been listening to 160m CW lately, maybe check it out! (assuming 
the geo-mag has settled down)

Here are some stats from a VE6WZ log export for the 4 months from mid-August 
till Nov8. (all CW mode)
 
465 EU QSOs
116 Unique callsigns
26  EU DXCC entities
 
Here is the breakdown of the EU country QSO count .  Perhaps this is activity 
level, or maybe just propagation bias into VE6? (it seems like there is a lot 
of CW activity from Sweden!)
 
SM 87
DL  40
R37
G33
OH 32
ON 30
OZ  29
LY   28
OK  23
LA   21
I  20
F17
SP  14
PA  10
OM 7
UR  6
YL   6
HA  5
LZ   5
S5   5
9A  3
CT  1
EI1
GD 1
JW  1
SV  1
 
And here is a list of the top 35 repeat QSOs in the VE6WZ log:
 
SM4DHF  25
DL8LAS   18
OZ7YY 17
LY7M15
SM5EDX   15
ON7PQ 14
OK1CF  12
SM7BIC12
IK7JTF   10
LA1MFA   10
ON4GPE   10
RX3APM  10
OH6RX 9
OZ4MM   9
SM2LIY 9
G3PQA 7
IV3PRK 7
DF2PY  6
G3YRO 6
OH2IS   6
DL8MKG  5
LY4A 5
OM2XW   5
RA1QD 5
SM2EKM  5
SM6MCW5
F5IN  4
G4UFK  4
LA7THA4
OH5VT 4
RA4LW 4
RC3FL4
SM2CEW 4
YL2SM  4
8S0DX  3
 
73, de steve VE6WZ
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Looking for a 2n5109

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Great idea solder leads to the SMD Larry!

steve
> On Oct 22, 2020, at 11:08 AM, Larry  wrote:
> 
> FYI, since the genuine 2N5109 is so difficult to source (and the 2N3866), you 
> might want to look at using a DCP68. This is a surface mount device that will 
> electrically replace the 2N5109 in the W7IUV preamp provided you don't need 
> to operate it at frequencies higher than 3 Mhz.
> 
> I have successfully used this device by simply soldering short leads on the 
> part and installing it directly in place of the 2N5109. You do need to 
> provide a heat sink of some sort. I have soldered the collector pad down to a 
> 3/4 inch square pad on an PCB and have also just soldered a 3/4 inch square, 
> or larger, piece of copper sheet directly to the collector tab.
> 
> The measured NF at 137 kHz and 475kHz is about 1 dB better than the 5109 and 
> about 0.5 dB better on 1.8 Mhz. Best of all is that it costs less than a buck 
> and is available from most common distributors.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Larry - W7IUV
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 10/22/2020 9:22 AM, Edward stallman wrote:
>> I remember about a year ago a discussion not to buy the 2n5109 transistors 
>> from E-Bay sellers . Some searching shows the 2n5109 has been discontinued 
>> for many years . So is anyone that's been saving one for many years willing 
>> to part with it ? I'm using it in a W7IUV pre-amp .
>> Thanks Ed N5DG
>> _
>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
> _
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Topband: Broadside phased Beverages-Observations

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Here are some observations comparing broadside phased Beverage pairs and single 
wires, and the effect of AZ alignment on target DX.
Does a 21 degree AZ change in Beverage orientation make a difference?

At my remote station I have 15 Beverage wires ranging from 750' to 1,000' long.
There are 3 single wire Beverages and 6 broadside phased pairs, each with 400’ 
inter-wire spacing.
All 8 major compass directions are covered.  The original layout was the usual 
45 degree alignment, 0 deg, 45 deg, 90 deg 135deg…. etc.
This summer I added a phased pair at 21deg for Russia, and northern Europe.  
This new pair is exactly between my north (0 deg) and the 45 deg Europe pair.  
I did this after modelling the broadside pairs and noticing how narrow the beam 
width is.  There was a 4 dB gap between the two patterns into N EU. (see my 
YouTube vid referenced below for detail)

The conditions have been good this season into Europe so I've had the chance to 
evaluate and compare these EU pairs.
There have been numerous times when north EU signals have been moderate to poor 
copy on the “old” 45 deg pair, while jumping to Q5 copy on the new 21 deg pair. 
 There have been 3 occasions when some signals (especially EU Russia), have 
gone from no copy (zero signal) to Q5.  QSB can make antenna evaluation 
difficult, but the waterfall display really helps to see the changes in SNR.  
In a some cases QSOs would not have been possible without the new pair.  Often 
central EU is equal on both, and S EU is usually best on the old 45deg pair.  
Of course all of this is dependant on a somewhat stable ionosphere with no path 
skewing.
I’m sharing these results because I was somewhat doubtful that the new pair 
would make much difference, but my testing shows that these arrays actually do 
perform as modelled.

Modelling also shows that single wire Beverages have a noticeably more broad 
forward lobe so they are more forgiving on target azimuth alignment…..

However, there is a real benefit to the enhanced RDF of the broadside pairs 
over the single wires that I have observed.
On each of my phased pairs I have built a box which houses the in-phase 
combiner and a relay.  The relay can either select each wire separately, or 
have the pair combined.
Using this system I can listen on the pair or instantly switch to either single 
wire.  On the waterfall it is quite obvious how the SNR of weaker signals pop 
up when the pair is engaged compared to any single wire.  On the weak ones this 
is a QSO-no-QSO improvement.

These observations I’ve described are really ***ONLY noticeable*** (or 
meaningful) on the real weak signals that are just bubbling at the noise.  
Think “I can barely hear him”.  If the signals are strong, then single wire, 
broadside pair, off-azimuth pair etc. will all have good copy.  This is true 
with a lot of things to do with weak signal 160m improvement.  Just like the 
benefit of diversity RX….on strong signals its not a huge game changer, but 
when those signals are on the edge of no copy, then these small improvements 
start to make a difference.  Same with APF.

Here is a YouTube video I made a while ago that shows the 4NEC2 modelling 
comparing single wire Beverages and various spacing on in phase pairs and 
explains why I added the second pair.
https://youtu.be/I-Q0JU3h--4 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Topband: Stew Perry at VE6WZ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

As Tree said the condx were pretty good this Saturday for the Lowband Jack 
version of the Stew contest.

The trans-polar EU path was very steady throughout the evening.

I managed to log 71 EU which I think is a one-night record for me on 160m.
Last week I worked 51 EU one evening, but I think the contest brought out some 
new calls.  There were a few “never worked before on 160” callsigns.
Unlike Tree I didn't notice the EU path at my morning, but perhaps thats 
because I was mostly RX to Asia and OC.  I did work Vlad RA4LW Saturday evening.
Worked 12 JA and one HL.
It sure was great to hear Kevin VK6LW call in this morning.  He needed some 
repeats for my grid and said he had bad QRN.
Thanks to all my friends in EU that gave me a call. It was nice to hear those 
familiar calls!

73, de steve ve6wz

Here is the EU country count from my log last night:
(lots of SM activity!)

SM-10
G-8
OH-7
UA-6
DL-6
LY-5
UR-4
ON-4
SP-3
PA-3
OK-3
YL-2
F-2
OZ-2
OM-1
I-1
S5-1
GD-1
_
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Topband: Big EU opening

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night the band was in fine shape from western Canada to Europe.

51 EU calls were logged on 160m CW between 200-520z.  Perhaps a one night 
record for me.

Some signals were incredibly loud, sometimes over S9.
The band was open right across Europe and into Russia.
OH, SM, OZ, LA, LY, UA, SP, OM, OK, DL, I, F, ON, PA, 9A, G, EI, EA, YL and UR.
Many old friends, but some new calls never worked before on 160m.

The geo-mag forecast looks good for conditions to remain quiet till at least 
after the weekend, so I remain hopeful that things will be good for the 
“lowband Jack” 160m contest this weekend.
I am getting my forecast from the 27 day magnetic forecast from NRC Canada on 
my webpage here https://www.qsl.net/ve6wz/geomag.html 


73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Good Conditions, Little Activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hans…
I’m sorry but I agree with Bob K3UL, perhaps we should stop the whining about 
lack of CW and get on the band !

If I look at my log for the 2 months since August, I have SM4DHF X13  QSOs, 
SM5EDX X5, SM2EKM X2, SM2LIY X2, SM7BIC X2.
SM6CVX zero QSOs.  I doesn't seem like everyone in Sweden has gone QRT ???

Have you been QRV at all yet???
 

steve VE6WZ

> On Oct 9, 2020, at 2:27 AM, Hans Hjelmström  wrote:
> 
> SORRY Roger
> FT 8 has killed Ham radio ,when you need your own skill and not trust 
> a computer to make your connection.  I will NEVER use that mode.Unfortunately 
> MNI MNI Sweden Hams have  almost gone QRT for good,because of this FT-8 and 
> lack of activity on hearing modes.
> 
> Kind regards
> 
> Hans SM6CVX
> 
> 
>> 9 okt 2020 kl. 10:20 skrev Roger Kennedy :
>> 
>> 
>> It's such a shame that 160m Conditions for DX have been pretty good over the
>> past week or two . . . 
>> 
>> Yet there are so few CW stations coming on the band !
>> 
>> I hear lots of us Europeans putting out endless CQ DX calls . . . but often
>> getting no replies, despite good RBN Reports confirming the band is open.
>> 
>> Roger G3YRO
>> 
>> 
>> _
>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

_
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Topband: 160m activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

There is still a great deal of CW activity on 160m !

What we need is more guys calling CQ and less just listening and saying that no 
one is active!
With the usual very fast QSB on 160m, just scanning the band and listening for 
RBN spots will not work very well. Especially if everyone is just listening!
I, like a few others will call CQ for 1 or 2 hours. I often find it surprising 
what signals will pop out of the noise!  Often the QSO is “squeezed" into a 
30-40 second QSB peak!
(kinda like FT8 QSOs being completed in the 15 second cycle!)

In the 2 months since August, I have worked 99 EU DX on 160m CW.
Many repeat calls, but 35 unique call signs. On Saturday night I worked 16 EU, 
but….I stayed up till EU sunrise calling CQ.

Here is a list of the EU calls that have made it into the VE6WZ log since 
August.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SplivMvfoylcFIdeIsp4ggVS797ihqG-/view?usp=sharing
 


I personally still find the band exciting every night (and every morning) 
wondering what signals might emerge from the noise.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: South Europe last night

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Good trans-polar last night again into VE6, but QRN in EU made QSOs difficult.

A surprise opening into more southern EU with IK7JTF and IV3PRK making it into 
the log in spite of high QRN in the Mediterranean.

Here is a CQ from IK77JTF recorded here at around 430 UT:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10y1oDWVlIYUWBhHfKG5iGhaK6WdMzPu0/view?usp=sharing
 


And here is my QSO with IV3PRK at 0458 UT…Luis had great ears through the QRM 
and QRN
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10XTzVxFM6x7t8u1cHOWCz5OA6uO2L9bh/view?usp=sharing
 


Also worked SM4DHF, DL8MKG, G4EIM, and PE5T.

The band opened at 210 UT with good signals from Andy DL8LAS and OZ7YY.

Between 0200 and 0400 is not a good radio time for me since that is XYL time, 
usually watching the news and a TV show.  However, I can log into the Flex 
radio on my iPhone and watch the waterfall display to see who is making it.  
Good signals from DH1NBE, 9A2G, ON7PQ and G3YRO.

9A2G was particularly solid here but he could not hear my calls.  A few times 
he was calling CQ with some ridiculously long CQs….perhaps 8 CQs then his call, 
then repeated again!

Please…please…It seems there are still many CW ops out there that think they 
need to call more than 3 CQs and there call a few times.  This does NOT help!!!
Many SHORT CQs are better.  How many times have I heard the DX continue to CQ 
right past the QSB peak.  Also the exchanges need to be very short.

The band seems to be getting off to a great start this season…lets hope the QRN 
subsides in EU soon.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: EU opening again

[VE6WZ_Steve]

A surprise trans-polar opening into VE6 tonight…the AU has finally cooled down 
enough for the northerly path to open.
Starting around 0230z EU signals started to emerge.
SM5EDX was first followed by SM4DHF, DL8LAS SM7BIC and OZ7YY.
G4UFK called me but the QSB took him out after I sent the report so we couldn't 
complete the QSO
I called G3YRO but Roger couldn't hear me.

The QRN was bad to the south, but my EU RX puts much of the noise off the side.

73, de steve ve6wz


_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: First EU of the season

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Listened for DL8LAS and SM5edx  but only a faint trace of SM5EDX CQ on the 
waterfall at 0300z.

Started CQ at around 0400z and I was spotted by TF4X, G4HSO and ON6ZQ RBN 
skimmers so I new the band was open.
The QRN was quite bad, but Pat ON7PQ called and made it above the crashes for 
the first EU QSO this season at VE6WZ.

My sunset is now at 0245z.  I will try and be QRV a bit more now on or around 
0400z.

73, de steve VE6WZ
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: 1610 KHz AM Channel in USA

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Starting earlier this spring and for the last few months both Nick and a few 
others have piqued my interest in MW BCB DXing and listening to these low-power 
TIS stations.

I have found that a reliable channel is 1710 kHz were I have been able to copy 
both WQFG Hudson County NJ, and also Travis AFB in California.
Hudson County apparently gained special Covid-19 approval for increased power 
to 100W which may explain how they have been copiable (with a good signal) in 
Alberta. Travis AFB only runs 10 w but they have had an exceptional signal at 
my QTH.  Travis is 1,630km from my QTH so thats pretty decent for a 10W AM 
signal and compromise antenna.  Hudson NJ is 3,290 km from me so still 
impressive with just 100w.

If anyone is interested here is a recording I made on May 17 of both Travis AFB 
and Hudson WQFG.  In the recording I switch from the south Beverage with good 
copy on Travis AFB in California, and then I switch to the east Beverage wire 
with good copy on Hudson NJ. I switch direction back to Travis and the end back 
east to Hudson.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sBLi_iYwxTjoSjC50_faQ8x92RHbY4Kx/view?usp=sharing
 


I have also had great fun BCB DXing for both Trans-Pacific OC and AS and some 
Trans-Atlantic MW DX.
Virtually every morning that I have been at my radio I have had good copy on a 
few Australian and NZ BCB AM stations.  Most notable has been 4BC on 1116 kHz 
from Brisbane often with a very solid signal and good audio.  Last month a few 
Asian BCB signals were making it but that has faded during summer solstice as 
we loose common darkness.
The Trans-world African radio station transmits from Benin Africa on 1566 kHz.  
There have been a few nights where modest audio has been copied from them when 
RX on the broadside phased Beverage EU pair.

Most mornings when I am at the radio I have been switching between calling CQ 
on 160m and listening on MW.  I’ve found it quite fun and interesting.

160m has remained open virtually every day I have been QRV this spring and 
summer into VK and ZL.  The JA path has been struggling up here over the last 
few weeks because the only common darkness with JA now is “common grey-line”.

Since April till today I have had 135 OC and 48 AS CW QSOs on 160m.
Top OC QSOs in my log since April:
VK2WF-35
ZL1AZ-30
VK3HJ-29
VK6LW-17
VK6GX-2

Top JAs
JA1LZR-23
JA5DQH-5

160m DXing has remained alive here right through the summer solstice!

73, de steve ve6wz


  
> On Jul 5, 2020, at 2:58 PM, Nick Hall-Patch  > wrote:
> 
> You might also check:
> 
> https://www.ircaonline.org/editor_upload/File/TIS_2020.pdf 
> 
> 
> IRCA is a MW DXers' club with a number of people who actively try to receive 
> these flea power stations.
> 
> 73
> 
> Nick
> VE7DXR
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Tuning a 2el parasitic array

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Rick,
Yes you can field test for max F/B, but that is far from ”simple” and easy to 
do.  I have done it. Many times over the last 22 years.

With a Yagi on the tower I used both an external source as well as an external 
RX in the field and tried to tune for max F/B.
Using an external source I also plotted real-time polar plots of the Yagi 
pattern.
However...In practice, here is how it goes:
To check F/B….we rotate Yagi forward…record measurement, back to shack, rotate 
Yagi to back, record measurement.  Then guess if we need the parasitic longer 
or shorter… Climb the tower adjust element (or adjust lumped load at the 
element). test again. Guess again….longer maybe? Climb tower…adjust.  
Meaure-rotate-measure again. Maybe we getting closer to optimum? shorter, 
test…longer test. Are we yet at the maximum F/B or can we get a bit more? Climb 
tower…readjust…etc. etc..  This is especially tedious and difficult with a 
narrow-band shortened low-band Yagi.
I speak from experience. This method is a lot of work and can take many 
iterations and you will still not be sure.…been there done that!
The other issue is aberrant ground reflections and wave angle considerations 
depending on your distance from the tower, Yagi height etc.
My field measured polar plots often showed some funny things and pattern 
distortions.

The method I describe in my video is MUCH easier, and leaves no doubt that the 
antenna is tuned as per your model. I have used it to tune both my 80-40M Yagis 
as well as the 160m parasitic array and subsequent on air test confirm they are 
optimally tuned.  In all cases tuning was quick and easy.  I honestly cant 
imagine doing it by field strength testing!
Understanding how the SWR bandwidth becomes more narrow as you approach the max 
gain point, and comparing this to your model, you can 
even “dial-in” the tuning more to be exactly where you want it.

73, de steve ve6wz


> You should be able to tune up any 2 element array, whether parasitic
> or driven, by simply putting a signal source behind it and adjusting
> for max F/B.  Or putting the signal source in front and adjusting for
> maximum gain.  No analyzer required.  Then,  you can substitute fixed 
> components for the variable L's and C's if desired.  This method works even 
> if the driven element is a shunt fed grounded tower.  Just use
> the feed as it was when the tower was just a single vertical.
> 
> After doing that, you can get out the analyzer and
> measure the drive impedance of the phasing network and design a
> simple matching network to go between it and the transmitter.
> 
> BTW, parasitic arrays seem simpler, but driven arrays (especially
> 2 element ones) have better F/B ratio ), and broader bandwidth,
> AFAIK.  YMMV.
> 
> 73
> Rick N6RK

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Sloping Ground

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Sam,
Yes…I think it would be worth it!
My purpose built low-band remote QTH is on a prominent hill surrounded by 
farmland in all directions.  My QTH at the crest of the hill is about 300’ 
above the surrounding land and it slopes gentle in all directions.  Also my 
Beverage arrays mostly all slope down the hill in each direction.
Anecdotally the QTH seems to perform very well fro DX.

Here is a somewhat qualitative analysis of my hilltop QTH using some data from 
the ON4UN low-band DXing book where he talks about verticals on sloping 
terrain. I make some comparisons to my QTH.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UP45c5MWaWvA0T9no4DHW060FSgC-3Pk/view?usp=sharing
 

I think its reasonable that some exceptional low-angle take-off angles can be 
achieved when located on a hill.  It may be even possible to approach the 
low-angles seen from sea-side verticals…but NOT the gain seen by a saltwater 
location. The “vertical over sloping terrain” data from Johns book would 
suggest low-angle gain that would be almost impossible to achieve on flat land. 
(up to +11 dB at 3 deg angle)
The caveat to this is whether the long-haul DX wave angles really do arrive as 
low as predicted.

73, de steve ve6wz


> Looking for some advice from some of you who have been there and done that
> before. I'm looking at moving my 160M inverted L to a new location that
> would be approximately 100 feet ASL higher and be on top of a hill with
> nearly perfect sloping ground in all directions. This would change my coax
> run length from 130 feet to 620 feet. I'm looking at LMR400 to meet my loss
> and budget needs. Is the move to sloping ground worth the extra work and
> coax loss??

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Tuning a 2el parasitic array

[VE6WZ_Steve]

This morning I uploaded a YouTube video explaining the method for tuning any 
2el parasitic array.

I do some experiments in my workshop using the Nano-VNA on a small 2 el Yagi to 
explain mutual coupling. Then using 4NEC2 I show the relationship between the 
dip in real R (point of maximum coupling) and the F/B and gain of the array.

Using this understanding any 2 el parasitic array can be tuned with confidence 
on the tower by only sweeping the driver with the antenna analyzer.  There is 
no need to isolated the driven element and do analyzer sweeps on the parasitic 
element. This method is especially useful for tuning arrays with non-split or 
grounded parasitic or driven elements.

This is the method I used for tuning my 2 el 160m parasitic array that uses the 
shunt-fed (grounded) tower as a driver.

https://youtu.be/2DcvmGPLdT0 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Beverage field switching

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I have received a number of email questions asking how I switch my Beverage 
wires in the field.

Here is a video that shows the design of my cascaded 2 relay high isolation 4 
relay switch box, as well as my latest design that uses 1:1 binocular core 
"braid breaker” transformers to replace my large type 31 toroids on the RG-6 
lines.  This is much more economical and easier to set up in the field.

I show how my switch boxes are deployed in the field and share some ideas about 
laying out the RG-6 feed lines on the forest floor.

Video link here: https://youtu.be/Ei7q1Hy6FDk 

73, de steve ve6wz


_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Activity Topband Left Coast Perspective

[VE6WZ_Steve]

As Bob says, the band has been open to OC and JA with some excellent signals 
every morning for the last month or more.
There is a regular east coast group that have been making it through when the 
conditions are good which is amazing.
But I am a bit surprised that there are not a few more west coast guys showing 
up before SR. I do realize that many have rolled up the RX antennas and shut 
down because of the T-storm risk, but our VK, ZL and JA friends sure would like 
some company besides W7RH, AA6AA and myself every morning, 
over-and-over-and-over….lol.  Some new blood would be good!

As for the EU polar path, I have been checking most nights, but common darkness 
has almost left us.  My SS is at 320z so by then most of east and northern 
Europe is in full daylight.  There is still a short window at my SS for west EU 
and I have been checking but the geo-mag has not co-operated.
The last EU logged here was ON7PQ, G4UFK and G2XHZ on April 19th.

73, de steve ve6wz 


> Here is a report from West Coast morning Joe group. In some respect we are 
> lucky. The seasonal thunderstorm noise is not real bad yet in the morning 
> hours. I see a few eastern guys looking for OC and Asia in the morning so 
> here is a list of the active stations on CW.
> 
> JA1LZR Joe, is a regular and has very capable station. Aki, JA5DQH (1000 UTC) 
> is active mostly for East coast sunrise and has great signal and great ears. 
> Other JA include JR1RJZ, JE1TSD, JA4CQS and JH1RZY.
> 
> AL7JX is active
> 
> ZL1AZ is active and has very good RX capability.
> 
> VK activity is very good in the morning. Signals are now not as strong as 
> they were near the Spring Equinox but are workable most mornings. VK2WF, 
> VK3HJ and VK6LW are regulars and have good RX capability. Add in VK3CWB and 
> VK3NX for good measure.
> 
> While these stations are not rare they have provided great signals for 
> propagation analyzing. 12-15K km contacts in the morning are always fun. With 
> many I have enjoyed working them as they improve their stations capabilities.

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Winter season 2019-20 conditions

[VE6WZ_Steve]

This winter the DX conditions on 160m have excellent at VE6WZ.
I did a log export for the 10 months from August, 2019 till May, 2020 and 
excluded all VE, and USA QSOs.

2,495   DX QSOs
886 unique callsigns
115 DXCC

Trans-polar Europe/Africa:
1,603   QSOs
513 unique callsigns

Trans-Pacific OC/AS:
745 QSOs
288 unique callsigns

All of the above QSOs are CW mode except for 9 ssb QSOs. 160m has not gone like 
6m. There is still a GREAT DEAL of CW activity on TB!!

Sure, there were a lot of dupe QSOs, but still 886 unique DX callsigns were 
worked.  Speaking of dupes….
Here is a link to the “160m VE6WZ over 10 QSO list”.  The top 3 are VK6LW at 90 
QSOs, DF2PY at 54 QSOs and SM5EDX at 53.
This list is a “whos-who” of the most active 160m CW operators this winter:
>
Yeh…..I dont mind working the same guys multiple times.  ANY DX is good DX on 
160m!

The reason for this report is to try and encourage more CW activity on 160m.  
Everyone is NOT on FT-8.  This summer get those RX antennas built and tuned up 
for next winter. It really is exciting to *hear* that DX bubbling through the 
noise and QRN and working to complete the QSO. The Ap seems to be lowest at the 
bottom and on the upswing of each solar cycle, so I reckon we have another 2 
years of good TB DX.

BTW…the band is still open.  The VK/ZL and JA path is still open every morning 
to the west coast, and even the east coast guys are making it through which is 
really strong DX!  I plan to try and stay QRV through the summer.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Measure dipole on ground to get VF of BOG.

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Mikek,

I made a number of measurements of my Beverages last summer including using TDR 
to estimate physical length.  This depends on knowing the VF of the wire.  
However, If you know the physical length length, the using the TDR function you 
should be able to derive the VF of the BOG.

Here is a YouTube video that shows the method I used and the results:
https://youtu.be/yiFW_u1CPrs 

73, de steve ve6wz


> On May 2, 2020, at 11:22 AM, Mikek  wrote:
> 
> I'm about to do some measurements on a BOG.
>  I've been a little slow getting things working, I've now got my inside and 
> outside boxes assembled,
> I understand I can break the BOG in the middle and find resonant frequency as 
> a dipole.
> From that I can calculate the VF. I may leave this for a while and hope for 
> rain to get some
> different measurements.
>  I also wonder about measurements, on the ground, at 1" above ground, and at 
> 2" above ground. Is there any advantage to
> the pattern or signal strength. At 2" inches I could weed whip to keep it 
> weed free.
> 
> 
>  On a second note, I'm building it long, for the AM band and considering 
> using KD4Zs stretch modules (in my case shrink modules)
>  for 160M and 80M bands. Although I think I would just terminate instead of 
> reflect.
> 
>  Your thoughts? any good pages about the Dipole on ground measurements 
> appreciated.
> 
> Mikek   KF4ITA
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

_
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Re: Topband: [TowerTalk] Measuring resonance of a yagi element

[VE6WZ_Steve]

d dip in the R at the same frequency  if I measured it again after 
> changing 
> the feedline to some other random length?
> 
> In your experience, how accurately do you feel EZNEC can predict the resonant 
> frequency of a tapered element?
> I guess if the answer is very accurately, then I probably should not waste my 
> time measuring it, just build
> the antenna to fit the model and go with it
> 
> Thanks a million for your reply and input. It's definitely a keeper.
> 
> 73
> Tom
> K0SN
> 
> 
> On Thu, Apr 23, 2020 at 12:01 PM VE6WZ_Steve  <mailto:ve...@shaw.ca>> wrote:
> Tom,
> Yes.  there is a MUCH simpler way to do this without climbing the tower.
> 
> I have tuned a number of hombrew Yagis and vertical parasitic arrays, and 
> used to think I needed to isolate the driver, then measure its resonance.  
> That is not required.
> 
> Because of mutual coupling, the REAL R (NOT IMPEDANCE) of the driver 
> (feedpoint) will show a pronounced dip at the resonant frequency of the 
> parasitic element.  This dip in real R is independent of the tuning of the 
> driver.  You even can sweep the Yagi from the ground and it should still show 
> a pronounced dip.  (it would be preferred to sweep it at the driver, or 
> feedline corrected to the driver). Make sure to sweep well above and below 
> the central QRG.  (like 13 Mhz to 15 Mhz.)
> 
> Look at your antenna model to confirm this. In your antenna model, if you do 
> a frequency sweep and look at the output, you will see the dip in the real R 
> at the frequency that the reflector is tuned to.  On the tower, you want to 
> see this same dip in R at the same frequency.  This effect is a bit more 
> complicated on a multi-element Yagi, but on a 3 el Yagi, you will still see 
> the dip in the R at both the Reflector tuned QRG and the director QRG.
> 
> The mistake some make with this analysis is they look at the IMPEDANCE on the 
> analyser.  That is wrong.  We see the dip in the real resistance.  ie. the R 
> in Z= R+jX. Most analyzers will plot R vs frequency.
> 
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> 
> 
> > On Apr 21, 2020, at 7:02 PM, Tom Hellem  > <mailto:tom.hel...@gmail.com>> wrote:
> > 
> > I would like to measure the self-resonant frequency of the reflector on a
> > home made 20 meter yagi. It seems obvious the best way would probably be to
> > open it up at the center and make it into a split dipole element and hook
> > up my analyzer. However I would like to avoid cutting it and dealing with
> > splicing it back together again. Can anyone suggest another way to
> > accomplish my objective? The reason for doing this is because it is
> > apparent from modeling in EZNEC that the
> > length of the reflector is critical to the performance parameters of the
> > antenna, e.g. gain, F/B, bandwith, etc., and it looks to me like it doesn't
> > take much of a change in the length of the element
> > 
> > Thanks in advance for any replies.
> > 
> > Tom K0SN
> > Missoula, MT
> > ___
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ___
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > towert...@contesting.com <mailto:towert...@contesting.com>
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk 
> > <http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk>
> 

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Spring DX

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Common darkness between VE6 and EU is getting shorter by the day, but as long 
as the geo-mag cooperates, the band remains open.
Last night I was able to work ON7PQ, ON8DM, G4UFK and G3XHZ from between 
0400-0500z.  Lots of QSB, but signal strengths high on the QSB peaks.  Early 
last week I was able to squeeze out a QSO with John SM5EDX, but mostly the AU 
has been too hot to allow for any trans-polar prop.  I hope things continue to 
cool off.
Fortunately the WX here has been cold and snowy so there has almost no 
convective activity triggering T-storms, so the QRN has been almost zero.

The morning OC-AS path has been pretty reliable with good signals from JA, VK, 
ZL and VK6 most mornings.

I am going to try and remain QRV looking for the last gasps from EU and 
continue to look for OC through my summer.

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: CW Activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Roger,
You had a very solid and strong signal here in VE6 last night so your low 
dipole is working for TX, but you could not hear me calling.
Your CQs were too long, because often by the time you finished your 5th or 6th 
CQ, the QSB took your signal down, and the peak was missed.
Short CQs and short exchanges are much preferred on 160m. A 3X2 CQ is more than 
enough.

Last night I was able to work SM5EDX, DF2PY, DL8LAS, ON7PQ, IV3PRK, PE5T, 
PA3FQA, G3XHZ and G3OQT.
Luis IV3PRK was very weak and we struggled to complete the QSO, but in the end 
we made it.
I know I had other EU callers, but the QRN from US T-storms made copy 
difficult.  Fortunately, my EU RX puts most of the QRN off the side.  I’m sure 
it was a challenge for much of NA because of the high QRN.

73, de steve ve6wz

> Well there are quite a few EU stations on CW, calling CQ DX every night . .
> . but getting very few replies.
> 
> I had about a dozen NA QSOs on Saturday night . . . but I've been on every
> night since, and no calls whatsoever! (although RBN reports were quite good,
> so the band IS open)
> 
> Roger G3YRO

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Skewed polar path condx

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night DL8LAS and SP3HLM were logged on 160m but the ONLY copy was via a 
skewed path over South America, a 90 deg skew path from direct.  This was not a 
“subtle path skew”, but very dramatic with absolutely zero copy on the direct 
NE or even east path.  Not even a trace on the waterfall when RX direct.

I started CQ around 04:15z and V31MA called, but I really struggled to get his 
prefix because I was RX via the usual EU path and assumed he was an EU caller.  
Later Andy DL8LAS called, and I was switching RX when I heard him on the SE RX. 
 No signal at all direct path to the NE. At around 4:45 I was able to 
eventually piece together SP3HLM's call.  I continued to RX via South America, 
but was unable to pull out any other callers.  I did hear ON7PQ call, but could 
not confirm.
The copy was extremely difficult because there was such very severe AU 
distortion with the signals getting ripped up and garbled via the skewed path.  
I knew there were other callers but it was impossible to piece together the 
calls because the characters were broken up due to the path distortion.

With the K index at almost 3 and the solar wind at 500 km/s last night, it was 
amazing that any signals were making it.

Severe polar path skewing is not unusual, but this year the band has been more 
stable with the direct path usually dominating. This is the first time this 
season I have noticed it.

This morning HL5IVL was also skewed to the south from direct path, and Kevin 
VK6LW was very weak.

Lets hope the geo-mag settles down this week.  Last year my last EU was logged 
on April 19th, so there is still some DX life left in the band!

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: 9 circle and Beverage arrays modelling comparisons

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Yesterday I uploaded another YouTube video to my RX antenna series.

Using 4NEC2, both single-wire and broadside phased Beverage arrays are modelled 
to study the RDF and forward beam-width. The 9 circle vertical array is 
compared to both single and broadside Beverage arrays and the advantages of 
each are discussed. The RDF metric is explained and examples are shown how even 
small RDF improvements can enhance weak signal copy.

Video link here: https://youtu.be/I-Q0JU3h--4 


73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

> While you are CQ'ing, do you also check your own call
> on RBN to see where you are being heard?  Would that
> differentiate between "dead band" and "lack of activity"?

Yes.  I always check RBN to see if my CQ is being spotted in EU or VK or JA etc.

However, a few comments about the RBN network.
For 9 years I have been running my RBN skimmer node on the RBN network and have 
noticed that I will only decode a small fraction of what I can actually copy 
with my radio and ears.  First of all, my main skimmer SDR radio is using a 30m 
loop antenna, while my “real radio” is using diversity RX with the 9 circle 
array and phased Beverages.  This is not uncommon with many other skimmers on 
the RBN network that may use compromise, and omni-directional antennas.  Often 
the trans-polar DX can be very weak, and just bubbling at the noise level which 
is simply not enough for my CW skimmer to decode together with the CQ.  
However, when my skimmer IS decoding and reporting EU DX to the RBN, then the 
band must be “really” open.
Therefore, the reciprocal of this is equally true.  Just because my CQ is not 
being decoded in EU is not proof that the band is closed.  But on those nights 
when I am hitting many of the EU skimmers, then clearly things are good!

I stream all RBN spots through VE7CC into my logging program, band map and onto 
the Flex display, but to get a EU or NA summary of whats going on, the main RBN 
network webpage is great.
In case you haven't used the "filters function" on the RBN network page, here 
are some tricks that I find very handy to get a quick “snapshot” of whats 
happening.
Just looking at “all spots on 160m” is not very helpful because with lots of 
activity, detail is lost.
Here are some example filters:

ALL EU being spotted by NA skimmers: 
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=3896 

This one is handy when I CQ…only VE DX being spotted only by EU: 
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=81972 

OR are any VE CQs being copied in EU on 160: 
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=14728 

(You can also show up to 100 spots to give more history….drop down window at 
right)

Make your own…..
You can make any filter you want based on: DX country (zone, continent etc) and 
SPOTTER  (based on country, zone, continent etc.) and band.
Just go to the top banner and select:  DX spots > create your own filter.

Also, don't forget that 160m is the band of QSB and patience is essential.  
Just because you don't copy a DX spot, it may take 10 min of listening before 
the short QSB peak might make him copiable….for 20 or 30 seconds!! Yes…this 
‘aint the 20m band. QSOs often need to be quick.

73, de steve ve6wz


_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

With many hams around the world staying home and "practicing social distancing” 
to “flatten the CV-19 curve”, what a great time to be on the radio!

Lets get out there and call CQ to stir up the band. (or ANY band for that 
matter)

There may be some out there that somehow think calling CQ is just for the rare 
DX, and not for the average ham.  I know there are many that have no interest 
in woking just “plain old DX” that aren't new DXCC counters.  I also realize 
there are many that live in high noise city locations that have a legitimate 
“alligator risk” by calling CQ.
However, to state the obvious, if no one calls CQ, no one is going to work 
anyone!  The conclusion will be “the band is dead”.

Speaking of another benefit of RBN…..one comment…..”if I look at my waterfall 
and don't see any traces, then the band is dead”. Well….often NOT true.  It is 
not unusual to see a blank pan-adapter, but then when checking the RBN there is 
NO-ONE calling CQ….anywhere in the world!  Is the band really dead?? How do we 
know it's dead if no one is calling? (And yes, there are enough RBN skimmers 
worldwide that almost any CQ will be decoded within a few seconds)  Many nights 
I have CQ'd into a “dead band” (blank pan-adapter, but also no RBN activity) 
and been rewarded with lots of EU DX callers.

There are a number of NA stalwarts calling CQ regularly on TB and a handful 
from EU, VK and JA, but it would be great to see more activity. (last night I 
heard Jon AA1K filling his log with EU). This winter I have worked quite a few 
EU that have been running 100w from backyard antennas so it's not limited to 
the big guns.

For those that lament that everyone is on FT-8, perhaps it would be a good idea 
to get on the band and make some CW noise instead of waiting for some else to 
call CQ???  Thats what the FT-8 guys are doing…they hit the send key on the 
FT-8 program and wait to see what happens.  There is a lot of FT-8 CQing going 
on…every 15 seconds, for hours.  Maybe thats why it seems there is more DX 
being worked on that mode?  This season I have logged 1,587 EU QSOs on CW with 
498 unique callsigns, so CQing can be rewarding. 113 DXCC since August. This 
has been one of the best TB seasons here at VE6WZ.  The season is not over yet.

While stuck at home, turn on the radio and call CQ….on ANY band.  See what 
happens.  Kinda like “old school” radio…using the “legacy" mode.
CQ..CQ…CQ…..
Why not?

73, de steve ve6wz


_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Was it a plane, was it a bird, was it Luis (IV3PRK) on 160 meters CW this morning?

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Yes it was!!
I was also very surprised when Luis IV3PRK answered my CQ last night. During 
the last min (2008-11) Luis was pretty much QRV every night.  My last QSO with 
him was Jan 2019.

Condx were quite good last night into EU, but not many callers….perhaps most 
were recovering from a weekend of contesting.

I worked IV3YYK, IK7TJF and IV3PRK….perhaps the Italian ops are staying home 
for CV-19 isolation.
Also logged, SM5EDX, SM5AOG, OM2XW, ON7PQ, PE5T and ON7DR.

The 160m DX season is not over yet.  The last EU DX in my log last spring was 
May 16, with many logged during the month of April.  The QRN levels are 
starting to get bad but fortunately from VE6 most of the US mid-west T-storm 
activity is off the side of the RX.

Lets keep the band going into spring.

73, de steve ve6wz



> On Mar 16, 2020, at 4:20 PM, Don Kirk  wrote:
> 
> Wow, just about fell out of my chair with Joy when I heard Luis (IV3PRK)
> calling North American stations on 160 meters CW this morning.
> 
> Luis had a very nice signal, and hope we continue to hear him on 160 meters
> CW like the old days.
> 
> Don (wd8dsb)
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Re: Topband: RBN and cluster spots

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Mike…

My logic is that I want to see ALL spots…especially those from EU skimmers.

Why?

First of all I want to use my own radio to decide if I can hear them.  My own 
RBN skimmer will only decode a small fraction of what I can copy with my own 
ears.  If my RBN skimmer is spotting any EU, then the band has to be REALLY 
open, but I am often working a lot of EU and my skimmer is spotting nothing.  
Also, I can be working EU, and not have any EU skimmers spotting me.

Secondly, when I CQ, I want to know the QRG is clear in EU.  By seeing all EU 
skimmer spotters, I will know a frequency is clear of CQing.
I really wish more EU ops would do this.  Many times it has happened….I am CQ 
on 1822.2…..EU station starts calling CQ on 1822.  Well….he cant hear me, but 
he should know I’m there, and him calling CQ on that QRG is bad for HIM because 
not many in NA will hear him with me CQing there!  Same with me.  If I start 
calling CQ right beside LY7M who is CQing, my chances of being heard in EU have 
been handicapped.

More information is always better in my books.

Especially in DX contests I will turn the NA spot filter on.  I don't want to 
be flooded with NA spots.  I want DX, non-NA spots.

de steve ve6wz



> On Mar 9, 2020, at 1:12 PM, Michael Walker  wrote:
> 
> Hi All
> 
> Every cluster you connect to has very similar filtering, you just have to
> issue the commands.
> 
> On my cluster, va3mw.dxcluster.org:41112, I only share spots that come from
> my zones and neighbour zones which limits the noise of the larger cluster
> nodes.
> 
> So, if you are in the North East of North America, you might find it a bit
> more realistic data unless you want to see the spot of G3 that worked the
> I2.  :)
> 
> Mike va3mw
> 
> 
> On Mon, Mar 9, 2020 at 3:03 PM Henk Remijn PA5KT via Topband <
> topband@contesting.com> wrote:
> 
>> I am using the VE7CC client software.
>> 
>> It has great filter capabilities.
>> 
>> http://www.bcdxc.org/ve7cc/default.htm#prog
>> 
>> Halfway the page are the install instructions.
>> 
>> 
>>Install
>> 
>>  * Download CC User Full Version (ver 2.421)
>>
>>  * Unzip
>>  * Run "setup.exe"  Do not install the program in the default directory
>>of "C:\Program Files.."  Install in C:\Ve7cc
>>  * Create a shortcut to "ve7cc.exe"
>> 
>> After installing use the update option to update to the latest version.
>> 
>> 73 Henk PA5KT
>> 
>>  * Click the shortcut
>>  * Press the "Connect" button at the top center of the screen.
>> 
>> Op 9-3-2020 om 18:47 schreef Roger Kennedy:
>>> Steve, I agree about getting response only when you've been spotted on
>> the
>>> DX Cluster (which is why I sometimes resort to spotting myself after
>> endless
>>> CQ DX calls - then suddenly I get lots of calls !)
>>> 
>>> But I only use RBN to check my OWN signals . . . how do you use it to
>> check
>>> ANY DX signals on 160 ?
>>> 
>>> I can't even see how you configure RBN to only show signals from certain
>>> areas (like NA), so I have to put up with all the EU spots on RBN (which
>> I'm
>>> not interested in)
>>> 
>>> I guess you'll tell me there IS a way of doing it . . . but presumably
>> the
>>> reason you only get responses when you've been spotted on the DX Cluster
>> is
>>> because others are the same as me !
>>> 
>>> Roger G3YRO
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _
>>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
>> Reflector
>> _
>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
>> Reflector
>> 
> _
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Re: Topband: RBN and cluster spots

[VE6WZ_Steve]

As Henk says, I too use the VE7CC “CC Cluster” program.

It is a great program that runs in the background, and becomes the DX cluster 
and Skimmer aggregator that will port the spots to whatever logging program or 
cluster display you use.
In the VE7CC program you can select which conventional packet cluster you want 
to connect to, and there is choice to toggle ON or OFF the skimmer spots.  You 
can also choose a myriad of filters to select what countries/continents will be 
filtered out either as the DX or the spotter, as well as what bands and even 
band segments.
Some guys choose to only get spots from NA spotters with the idea that spots 
that come from EU skimmers are no good because they may not hear them.  I 
disagree with this logic personally….I want ALL spots, so I know who is where 
on the band.  I will RX with my own radio to decide if I can hear them.  That 
is why if G3YRO calls CQ tonight, I will know literally within a few seconds. 
There are so many EU skimmers any EU CQ is spotted instantly.  Same in NA.  
These spots show up on my band map, so I know where the empty spots are between 
the EU CQers.  I WILL sometimes filter out the NA CQ spots since I am not 
interested in those.

There are other ways to stream the skimmer spots, but the CC cluster program is 
really flexible with almost any possible filter combination.

BTW….another really simple way is just go to the RBN web interface here: 
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=3 


At the top select >DX spots.  The pull down menu can allow you to show all 
HF>160m. Also you can use >build your own filter, and select the DX country or 
continent, or the Spotter country and continent. Handy filters.

I really cant imagine not using the RBN skimmer spots in this day and age!


73, de steve ve6wz




> On Mar 9, 2020, at 11:47 AM, Roger Kennedy  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> Steve, I agree about getting response only when you've been spotted on the
> DX Cluster (which is why I sometimes resort to spotting myself after endless
> CQ DX calls - then suddenly I get lots of calls !)
> 
> But I only use RBN to check my OWN signals . . . how do you use it to check
> ANY DX signals on 160 ?
> 
> I can't even see how you configure RBN to only show signals from certain
> areas (like NA), so I have to put up with all the EU spots on RBN (which I'm
> not interested in)
> 
> I guess you'll tell me there IS a way of doing it . . . but presumably the
> reason you only get responses when you've been spotted on the DX Cluster is
> because others are the same as me !
> 
> Roger G3YRO
> 
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Re: Topband: RBN and cluster spots

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Dave,
I agree entirely.
Which is why I have BOTH streamed together via VE7CC into my main packet 
window, the bandmap, and onto the Flex waterfall.

steve

> On Mar 8, 2020, at 3:51 PM,  
>  wrote:
> 
> While I watch RBN I still watch the old fashioned packet cluster that whose 
> ship sailed many years ago.  Many worthwhile things appear on the cluster 
> that never appear on RBN.   If you really want to know what's going on you 
> need to be watching both. 73. . .Dave, FLS
> 
> -Original Message- From: VE6WZ_Steve
> Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2020 4:15 PM
> To: Topband
> Subject: Topband: RBN and cluster spots
> 
> This winter I've noticed that when CQing on 160m, if I get spotted on the 
> “conventional” packet cluster, I seem to get more action.
> I’ve always found this surprising because usually with 3 seconds (!!!) my 
> call is spotted on the RBN network, so why doesn't everyone already know I’m 
> CQing there?
> 
> It seems that quite a few ops out there either don’t know about, have 
> forgotten about, or somehow “don’t believe” in the RBN network??  As far as 
> thinking the RBN network is “un-fair” or not "old school" like finding your 
> own DX, well to each his own, but the packet cluster ship sailed many years 
> ago!
> 
> Perhaps this email is just a reminder to consider either checking the RBN 
> network directly in your browser or getting the RBN skimmer spots fed 
> directly into your logging program packet window.
> I use the VE7CC  “CC cluster” program which will filter the skimmer spots 
> anyway I want (eg. no NA spots) and they get streamed together with the 
> conventional packet cluster into my logging program, and also directly onto 
> the Flex waterfall.  If anyone in EU calls CQ, the spot will show up on the 
> waterfall within 2-5 seconds!  I know exactly where the “open” spots are on 
> 160m before I call CQ.  I see the who’s-who across the band all the time.
> 
> I know many reading this already use the RBN regularly, but even in the KST 
> chat room I get questions like “where are you CQing”?  Heck, I was spotted 
> within seconds of my first CQ on the RBN network !
> 
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector 

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Topband: RBN and cluster spots

[VE6WZ_Steve]

This winter I've noticed that when CQing on 160m, if I get spotted on the 
“conventional” packet cluster, I seem to get more action.
I’ve always found this surprising because usually with 3 seconds (!!!) my call 
is spotted on the RBN network, so why doesn't everyone already know I’m CQing 
there?

It seems that quite a few ops out there either don’t know about, have forgotten 
about, or somehow “don’t believe” in the RBN network??  As far as thinking the 
RBN network is “un-fair” or not "old school" like finding your own DX, well to 
each his own, but the packet cluster ship sailed many years ago!

Perhaps this email is just a reminder to consider either checking the RBN 
network directly in your browser or getting the RBN skimmer spots fed directly 
into your logging program packet window.
I use the VE7CC  “CC cluster” program which will filter the skimmer spots 
anyway I want (eg. no NA spots) and they get streamed together with the 
conventional packet cluster into my logging program, and also directly onto the 
Flex waterfall.  If anyone in EU calls CQ, the spot will show up on the 
waterfall within 2-5 seconds!  I know exactly where the “open” spots are on 
160m before I call CQ.  I see the who’s-who across the band all the time.

I know many reading this already use the RBN regularly, but even in the KST 
chat room I get questions like “where are you CQing”?  Heck, I was spotted 
within seconds of my first CQ on the RBN network !

73, de steve ve6wz

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: EU condx last night

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night the trans-polar EU path was open to VE6 although the QSB was very 
deep.  22 EU made it into my log.
At first the band seemed poor, with only very weak signals bubbling at the 
noise level.

Bob W7RH appeared to have the spotlight working some N EU that I couldn't hear.
For me the band started to open up around 0300z with LA1MFA and then RC3FL and 
SM4DHF.  Around 0425 Roger G3YRO was CQing with a great 579 signal, and it took 
a while to get his attention, but we did QSO. 3 other G stations and Ron GW3YDX 
also made it. 3 OH, a few PA, LY, F, DL and SP9JZU and Jan OM3XW also had good 
signals.  It was great to work Rino IK7JTF who was very solid, but only on the 
QSB peaks.
I was QRV through EU SR and shut down at about 0630z. As always, it can be slow 
going- only 22 DX QSOs after 3.5 hrs of CQing, but patience seems to prevail on 
160m as we wait for the QSB, and the EU ops to wake up and get their morning 
coffee.  I’m sure that the F1 key is going to wear out on my keyboard!

There were a few EU ops calling CQ with good signals and wondering where all 
the NA stations were, but at 0600z, I’m betting most were sleeping!

Perhaps the band will be open again tonight to allow a few EU SSB contacts in 
the contest??

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Warren,

Sure.
Here is a link to a folder that has most of the KiCad files in it including the 
schematic.
I also added a folder with my footprint Library data.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XVi6WzOJIojYnpd_oE7uoSTjXo1KTb8l?usp=sharing
 
<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XVi6WzOJIojYnpd_oE7uoSTjXo1KTb8l?usp=sharing>

de steve ve6wz

> On Mar 3, 2020, at 11:45 AM, Warren Merkel  wrote:
> 
> 
> Steve VE6WZ,
> 
> Thanks for making your videos!  Could you also make your "Steve_Library" 
> KiCad custom footprint library files available too? (Steve_Library.pretty 
> folder with the mod files)
> 
> I would like to refactor your pcb a bit and thus need to recreate the 
> schematic and would like to be able to import other components and not loose 
> your designated footprints.
> 
> Warren, KD4Z
> 
> 
> 
>> Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2020 15:22:23 -0700
>> From: VE6WZ_Steve 
>> Subject: Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board
> 
> ..snip..
> 
>> On the YouTube page I have a link to the KiCad PCB file if you want to order 
>> your own boards (I order my boards from OSH park) and a link to an EXCEL 
>> file for a parts list BOM.
>> YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/utyJt_Clp3M 
>> <https://youtu.be/utyJt_Clp3M>
>> 73, de steve ve6wz
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Re: Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Rick,

Yes, the 2N5109s are almost un-obtainium now, but a few months ago Mouser 
stocked them and maybe DigiKey, but now they are out-of-stock.  Even the 2N3866 
substitute is hard to find.
Over the years (2 decades) I have built at least 10 of these amps, and still 
have a supply of a dozen or so 2N5109 devices, and since these devices are 
almost indestructible, I’ll likely never run out!  You are correct that this is 
a problem with this design.

Thanks for the E-field amp link….nice…perhaps another project to build!

I like KiCad a lot. super easy to learn.  I had never use a PC board program, 
but I was able to learn KiCad from scratch in one evening!

de steve ve6wz



> 
> Now I know why you work stuff I can't even hear :-)
> 
> The 2N5109 is just about extinct.  Did you secure a
> source for it before you laid out your PC board?  If
> you did, please share it with the rest of us.  Most
> people are now using substitutes for the 2N5109 with
> varying degrees of success.  Are you possibly doing
> that?  Of course those substitutes are not in a
> hermetic metal can, so the PC board has to be laid
> out for differently for them.
> 
> You might want to look at these references for
> so-called "E-field" arrays of whip antennas:
> 
> A military design:
> 
> https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/documents/DST-Group-TR-3522.pdf
> 
> Various improvements to the above:
> 
> http://home.earthlink.net/~christrask/Complementary%20Push-Pull%20Amplifiers.pdf
> 
> You also find a lot of other good stuff on Chris's site.
> 
> They go beyond the DXE design.
> 
> Good luck with your project.
> 
> BTW, how do you like KICAD?  I'm currently using a grandfathered
> EAGLE 7.7 perpetual license, but "some day" I might switch to KICAD.
> 
> 73
> Rick N6RK

_
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Topband: 9 circle RX array combiner board

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Just like some guys enjoy woodworking and making furniture that they may not 
really need, I like to build radio things just for the fun of the project even 
though I may not really “need” it.  For three years I have been using the 
original 9 circle RX array kit that I bought from DX-engineering, and it has 
performed well, but I wanted to build my own and add my own design tweaks.

Using KiCad, I have designed and built a 9 circle RX array combiner with a 
2N5109 pre-amplifier integrated onto the same board.

The phase/combiner circuit and direction switching is the same as that designed 
by John W1FV which was developed with the YCCC and marketed by DX-engineering 
(no longer sold). The pre-amplifier is the 2N5109 circuit developed and refined 
by Larry W7IUV.

I made a YouTube video to show what I did.  I know some guys may not like 
watching videos, but I spent my professional career writing technical papers 
and I have no interest in doing that anymore (I am NOT an engineer, I am a 
geologist).  I can make a video pretty quick and cover most of the basics.

In the video I describe the board layout and explain the basics of how the 
combiner works. I talk about the basic construction methods I use, but this is 
NOT a step-by-step "how to build it" project. If you want to build one of 
these, please carefully read and understand the great documentation that was 
provided by the YCCC (link provided) so you can build the transformers and wire 
things correctly.  This video is only meant to share what I did and provide 
anyone interested with the PCB file if they want to build their own.

On the YouTube page I have a link to the KiCad PCB file if you want to order 
your own boards (I order my boards from OSH park) and a link to an EXCEL file 
for a parts list BOM.

YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/utyJt_Clp3M 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Broadside Beverages and Diversity observations

[VE6WZ_Steve]

This is the first winter season using my broadside phased Beverages pairs.
I have a pair for EU, JA, North and OC.  In each case they are about 950’ long 
and are spaced 400’ apart. Each wire is fed with equal length RG-6 to the 
centre point and are combined in-phase using a zero degree hybrid combiner 
(magic-T).  I designed each combiner box to include relays so that the wires 
can be phased or used individually (I made a YouTube video explaining the 
system if anyone is interested).
Using this system, I can instantly switch and compare the performance between a 
single wire and the phased pair.

Modelling shows that a phased pair will have about 3 dB more gain and about 2 
dB increase in RDF compared to a single wire.  I expected to see about 3 dB 
increase in the noise floor when the wires were phased compared to the single 
wire, but I never saw this.  Most of my testing is using the Flex waterfall and 
dB measurements so it's pretty easy to see even small changes.  At first this 
confused me and made me wonder if the wires were working.  My QTH is a rural 
(farmland) area with very limited local noise sources. (most noise is equally 
distributed in all AZ directions). Looking more at the modelling, the improved 
RDF of the phased pair is the result of narrowing the forward lobe and 
increasing the side rejection.  It seems that the increased forward gain is 
offset by reduced side-lobe signals, such that with equally distributed noise 
there is little change in the noise floor.  However, there IS a significant 
increase in signals arriving from the front of the array.  Weak signals 
arriving from the front of the broadside pair show a pronounced increase in 
signal strength compared to a single wire (obviously) but the noise does NOT 
increase with the pair. This equals the improved RDF.  For the very weak 
signals, there are many times that copy would not have been possible with a 
single wire, but were very readable with the phased pair.

Together with the Beverages I almost always use the 9 circle array in 
diversity.  In my opinion, this is truly a “game changer” for the weak ones.
There has been some discussion about the need for RX antennas in diversity to 
have significant spacial separation but my experience has been that even 
closely spaced antennas can perform very well. I will not argue that greater 
spacing is best, but my 9 circle array is only about 180m from the EU and JA 
pair, and is actually in the middle of the OC pair.  Even with the OC pair, the 
difference between copy with just the Beverages or just the 9 circle is 
amazing.  For the weak ones bubbling at the noise, I can switch from just the 9 
circle, to just the Beverages and the signals are there but the copy is broken 
up and perhaps unreadable.  When both antennas are combined in diversity, there 
is some magic that happens where the signals pop out and become perfectly 
readable. Most of the time this is NOT subtle but quite dramatic. This effect 
is not selective fading because of spacial diversity, but it sounds like the 
small “missing gaps” between the characters gets filled in? Perhaps the 
Beverages are responding to a slightly different wave angle for both the signal 
and noise compared to the vertical array.  For example, maybe one small QRN 
crash or noise on one antenna is muted on the other so that a DIT gets through 
to my left ear, but not the other and vis-versa next time.  This effect is not 
easy to explain, but is very obvious when you hear it. Either way, I truly 
can't imagine going back to single RX!

73, de steve ve6wz



_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: EU condx

[VE6WZ_Steve]

In spite of a geo-mag K index of 3 and elevated solar wind above 350 km/s, the 
trans-polar path from VE6 to EU has been open the last few nights.

Last night the EU pile-up for both the HU1 and TI9 was amazing.  Here is a 
screen shot of the Flex waterfall which shows the EU callers.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vcZk1lc1OsphXI8zHjd11eezk3XHvNnz/view?usp=sharing
 


Most of those calling are EU since the TI9 was calling for EU only. The pile 
goes from 1824 to 1830.  Listening to the callers the band was open across all 
of EU from UA, northern EU, and even south and west EU were making it.

Last night I only worked 8 EU, but while CQing 5 kHz above the HU1 there were a 
few times I thought I had some strong EU callers, but they were calling the 
HU1.  It seemed everyone last night was focused on the HU1 and TI9.
The night before I worked 16 EU in spite of the elevated K index, but the 
signals were watery, weak, and broken up from the AU.

This season I have logged 1,518 EU QSOs, 382 AS QSOs and 163 OC QSOs since 
August.  Many new, never worked before on 160m calls are in the log.
108 DXCC worked in those same 6 months.

It seems condx have been favourable to VE6 this winter, while the southern 
latitudes have had more muted propagation to EU.  However, it seems that as 
long as the band is open, there is still a great deal of CW activity.

73, de steve ve6wz


_
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Re: Topband: Beverage performance VS term resistor

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Hi Dave,
I use 4Nec2.  It is freeware and calculates RDF directly: 
https://www.qsl.net/4nec2/ 

steve ve6wz

> On Jan 24, 2020, at 7:21 AM, Artek Manuals  wrote:
> 
> Steve
> 
> I am curious, what antenna modeling program are you using that gives direct 
> readout in RDF? Or are you  "estimating"  it from the antenna graphical 
> pattern?
> 
> Dave
> NR1DX

_
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Topband: Beverage performance VS term resistor

[VE6WZ_Steve]

The recent experiments with my Beverages in the cold weather has raised some 
comments about the termination resistor and the antenna performance.  I 
received a few emails asking about F/B. I made the comment that it really is'nt 
worth the effort trying to get the termination value exact. Close is good 
enough.

Changing the termination resistor value has only a limited effect on the RDF of 
the antenna.  The F/B can change some what, but the zenith and side rejection 
is mostly preserved independent of the termination value.
This is well described by John in the the Lowband DXing book. (5th edition, pg 
7-64 “conclusions”)

Today I did some modelling on a 920’ wire.  RDF with a 500 Ohm term is 11.7 dB, 
with 200 Ohm term it is 11.3 dB, and with 800 Ohm term it is 11.4 dB.  So only 
about .4 dB of RDF change with a very significant (+/- 300 Ohm) resistor 
change.  Looking at the azimuth and Zenith plots, the front-to-side remains 
mostly unchanged while rear lobes develop that diminish the F/B.  However, 
unless there is a specific noise, or QRM problem from the back of the 
Beverages, this will likely go un-noticed.  The important parameter is RDF….the 
rejection of noise in the full 3D hemisphere compared to the max forward gain.

In fact, I modelled no termination (by inserting 1 e6 Ohms as a term resistor) 
and the RDF of the bi-directional Beverage is still 9.7 dB. (almost zero F/B) 
This is pretty decent, and is better than many other small loop antennas and 
smaller arrays.  The azimuth pattern still shows significant side and zenith 
rejection which is why the RDF calculates so well.  This is perhaps why many 
ops have had good success with bi-directional Beverages.

If you are unfamiliar with what the RDF metric, Greg has a good explanation 
here: 
http://www.seed-solutions.com/gregordy/Amateur%20Radio/Experimentation/RDFMetric.htm
 


73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Re: Topband: [TowerTalk] Beverage impedance change in cold WX solved

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I completed my experiment, and it appears that cooling the transformer by 40 
deg C has very little change on the matching transformer.

The 9:1 transformer was terminated with a 560 ohm resistor and swept with the 
Nano-VNA and showed almost exactly 75 ohms on 160, 80 and 40m at room 
temperature.
The transformer was put in the freezer that is at -20 deg C using my 
temperature thermocouple gauge on the Fluke multimeter.
The transformer was swept again after an hour of cooling and the sweep was 
virtually identical.  No change.

I made a short 2 min video showing the process as I chuck the transformer into 
the freezer with the chicken.  My wife just shook her head as I explained I am 
just doing a very typical Ham radio experiment.

vid here if you want to see my test method: https://youtu.be/CNkSrqG0H1c
73, de steve ve6wz

> On Jan 22, 2020, at 3:07 PM, jimlux  wrote:
> 
> On 1/22/20 1:18 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:
>> Thanks Jim!
>> I didn't look at the Fair Rite catalog, but yes…its there on page 8.  I am 
>> using 73 material Binocular cores.
>> The temp. coefficient for 73 material is .65 % per deg C.  My temp change is 
>> about 50 deg C, therefore the permeability will change 33 % !!
>> That seems like a decent amount.
> 
> Go to page 28, and there's a curve of properties vs temperature. It looks 
> like mu is 1500 at -40C and 2100 at 0C  (that's at 10kHz, where mu'' (the 
> loss) is very low.
> 
> The impedance at 10 MHz changes from about 80% at -40 to about 90% at 0 to a 
> peak of 100% at 30C.
> 
> 
> 
> https://www.fair-rite.com/73-material-data-sheet/
> 
> unfortunately, they don't give you a way to download permeability vs 
> temperature.
> 
> 
>> I am going to do an experiment today.
>> Wind a 9:1 transformer, terminate it with 600 ohm resistor, and sweep with 
>> analyzer. Save file.  Should be pretty flat at 75 Ohms.
>> Put the transformer in the freezer for an hour or so, take out and 
>> remeasure. (I wont cool the resistor)  Unfortunately my freezer dose not get 
>> to -41 deg C like it does outside, but the results may be telling.
>> Yes I could calculate it based on the catalog info, but that is above my 
>> pay-grade.
>> de steve ve6wz
> 

_
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Topband: Beverage impedance change in cold WX solved

[VE6WZ_Steve]

A few days ago I posted a video explaining some experiments I did adding short 
radials to my feed and termination grounds on the Beverage.
During that week temperatures went as low as -41 C at the station.

The mystery has been solved.

I wondered if the frozen ground was limiting conductivity and upsetting the 
ground resistance part of the impedance. The experiments showed that adding 
radials to stabilize the frozen ground had no effect.

In the video I show how the real resistance of the 920 foot galvanized steel 
wire might drop 10-20 Ohms when the temperature drops 50 deg C from the 
summertime.  This would mean that I need a LOWER termination resistor to match 
the surge impedance.
However, I also show that the ceramic termination resistor I use has a very 
high negative temperature coefficient (-1300 C). This results in an INCREASE of 
 30 to 40 ohms in my 470 Ohm termination resistor.  Therefore, the termination 
could be 40 to 60 Ohms too low!!  I show in the video that the resistor does 
indeed increase by 40 Ohms when I chucked it out my back door at -30C for an 
hour.

Today I was at the remote and it has warmed up to -1C (35 deg C warmer) and the 
analyzer sweep of the wire has mostly returned to it summer time reading.

This seems to indicate that the main cause of the Beverage miss match is the 
temperature coefficient of the wire and the termination resistor.  Obviously 
the ground is still just as frozen today as it was last week at the feed and 
termination and under the wire length!  Perhaps I will look into changing the 
term resistor with a metal foil unit that has a positive temperature 
coefficient.  Carbon composition units also have a negative TC, but not as 
severe as the ceramic units.  Those ceramic units are almost like thermistors! 
(well….not really)

However, as I said in the video, this is like a “solution looking for a 
problem” because few Hams experience these extreme temperature changes, and 
even when we do, it's just for a short time.  Also, Beverage modelling shows 
that the termination resistor can effect the F/B, but it has limited effect on 
the RDF which is what really matters.  This exercise was done mostly out of 
interest and to try and solve the puzzle.

I made a new video showing the sweeps I made today if interested.  The video 
includes the original content so if you've seem that just jump to the end.

YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/3Oft826Q8tA



73, de steve ve6wz
_
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Topband: Changing Beverage impedance in cold WX

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Over the years I have noticed my Beverage feed impedance will change during the 
winter.
My station is configured to take analyzer sweeps in the shack of any of my 12 
Beverage wires.  All 12 wires show the same change in impedance compared to the 
summer.

Two days ago I did some experiments to see if this was because the frozen 
ground was limiting conductivity. In wet soil with the associated minerals and 
salts, the ionic transfer contributes to conductivity, just like salt water.  
When the ground is frozen solid, like a block of ice, it seems possible that 
this ionic conduction could be diminished.

To test my theory, I add some radials to both the feed and termination and 
rescan the Beverage.
Join me on the adventure to see how it worked out in this video as I brave the 
-38 C winter cold.  I also show some calculations of the effect of cold weather 
on Beverage wire conductivity and the termination resistor.  This is perhaps 
the most interesting, because the term resistors I use are ceramic units which 
have a significant negative temperature coefficient.  I experiment to confirm 
the changes in resistance with temperature.

YouTube vid here: https://youtu.be/0XevB7wLInE 

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Changing Beverage impedance in cold WX

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Over the years I have noticed my Beverage feed impedance will change during the 
winter.
My station is configured to take analyzer sweeps in the shack of any of my 12 
Beverage wires.  All 12 wires show the same change in impedance compared to the 
summer.

Two days ago I did some experiments to see if this was because the frozen 
ground was limiting conductivity. In wet soil with the associated minerals and 
salts, the ionic transfer contributes to conductivity, just like salt water.  
When the ground is frozen solid, like a block of ice, it seems possible that 
this ionic conduction could be diminished.

To test my theory, I add some radials to both the feed and termination and 
rescan the Beverage.
Join me on the adventure to see how it worked out in this video as I brave the 
-38 C winter cold.  I also show some calculations of the effect of cold weather 
on Beverage wire conductivity and the termination resistor.  This is perhaps 
the most interesting, because the term resistors I use are ceramic units which 
have a significant negative temperature coefficient.  I experiment to confirm 
the changes in resistance with temperature.

YouTube vid here: https://youtu.be/0XevB7wLInE

73, de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Speaking of multiple QSOs with the same stations on 160m….
please do not hesitate to call me if you hear me on Topband no matter how many 
QSOs we have had!  I am a 160m QSO collector. The more the better.  I don't  
get bored working the same guys over-and-over-and-over on TB. Each opening is a 
new adventure for me.  It ‘aint rocket science to know that if we wait to work 
only new stations on the band then things will get pretty slow!

Everyone is motivated in different ways, and at different times for what 
excites them about Ham radio.  For myself, the thrill of working DX on 
160m….ANY DX, even multiple QSOs in the same season works for me.  I am much 
less excited about doing that on 80m, or 40m, or the higher bands, but I know 
there are those that love to work DX on ANY band all the time, any time.
The thrill for me started when I was 13 years old, under the covers in bed at 
night with a small transistor radio (1971) listening to distant AM broadcast 
stations with the sound of summer QRN.
Because 160m is so un-predictable and usually completely dead and devoid of ANY 
signals (here in VE6 at least) it really is magical when the DX finally makes 
it to my ears.  I mean sincerely magical, because I reflect back on listening 
to those AM signals on that transistor radio…the 160m band is just above the AM 
band. How cool is that!  We are just Ham guys with backyard antennas!

I understand completely those that find it boring working the same guys 
over-and-over, and how the chase for the next DXCC band counter is what really 
matters.  For many years after I built my 80m Yagi I was somewhat “marooned" on 
80m working as much DX as possible.  I still love 80m, but the intrigue has 
faded and I don't find myself calling CQ there much anymore.  Perhaps the same 
will happen on 160m, but because the trans-polar propagation from VE6 to EU 
(under the AU oval) can be absent for YEARS (!) on end, I expect that when the 
condition are good I will remain engaged.  I must confess that working JA’s are 
not as exciting from here (perhaps like working EU from the EC?).
The chase for the DXCC band totals is not my main motivator anymore as much as 
just hearing what DX might make it through each night or morning.

To work a lot of DX on 160, you NEED to call CQ.  If we all just listen, 
waiting for others to call, the only guys we will work are the few that are 
calling CQ (wow, crazy eh?).   I understand that with poor RX and high local 
noise the alligator risk is high, but you never know.  I have received a number 
of JA and EU QSLs indicating 100w TX and modest antenna setups.

Lets keep the band alive.  Get on the band, ionize the ionosphere and call CQ 
and see what happens.

73, de steve ve6wz

So…here is the VE6WZ 2018-19 season “top repeat QSO list”

From my log export for this winter season (4 months) beginning September till 
now, I have worked 422 unique EU callsigns. (1,228 total QSOs)

Here is the top 25 list for Europe:
(rank, call, number of QSOs)

1   SM5EDX40
2   DF2PY 38
3   LA1MFA38
4   SM4DHF33
5   OM2XW 26
6   RA4LW 23
7   LY7M  23
8   ON7PQ 23
9   YL2SM 22
10  PA3FQA21
11  RC3FL 19
12  G3PQA 16
13  G3XHZ 15
14  IK7JTF15
15  F5IN  13
16  OH1XX 13
17  DL8LAS13
18  G3OQT 12
19  F5NZ  11
20  G4UFK 11
21  GW3YDX  11
22  SM3EVR11
23  G3XGC 10
24  SM6MCW  10
25  SM7BIC10

And here is the OC/AS list:

1   VK6LW   44
2   VK2WF   21
3   HL5IVL  20
4   VK3HJ   19
5   JA5BIN  11
6   VK3IO   9
7   3D2AG   7
8   DS2JJV  6
9   JA4CQS  5
10  JH2FXK  5

_
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Topband: Excellent conds

[VE6WZ_Steve]

The band is rock’in in case you have missed it.

I went for a walk with the xyl yesterday afternoon, and returned to the house 
at around 3 pm local (2200z).  The sun was still high in the sky (thats a 
relative thing at this time of year at 51 deg N). Sunset is not until 23:38z. I 
noticed that the VE6JY skimmer was spotting RL3A so checking the band was in 
order.

Sure enough, the waterfall was full of EU traces.  This is a full 1.5 hrs. 
before sunset.  I logged 31 EU in the 1.5 hours before my sunset. 
UA,CU,GW,YL,UA9,OK,YO,DL,SM,HB9,UY, LY,HA.  My wife and I watched a movie last 
night, but I could see on my RBN the band continued to be wide open.  I spent 
another 30 min before going to bed and logged another 11 EU.  Quite a number of 
first time worked on 160m callsigns.
It looked like the band was in good shape across much of NA, with lots of other 
WC joining in the fun, and a great many EU ops calling CQ.  At one point, the 
waterfall almost looked like a contest night.

The night before on Jan 3 z, I logged 52 EU, on Jan 2 z I logged 43 EU, and 24 
EU on Dec 31.  Some of the EU signals have been exceptionally strong.  Almost 
sounding like local NA stations.

The sunrise trans-polar path to JT, UA and EU has also been open most mornings.

For the 4 months starting September my log shows 1,222 EU QSOs with 421 unique 
calls so far. 465 AS/OC QSOs with only 141 unique calls.
So far this season I have 99 DXCC worked on 160m.

The K has kicked up a bit so perhaps the condx will be muted tonight, but the 
longer term forecast looks pretty good.  It really is great to see so much CW 
dx on TB these days!!

Get on the band and join in on the low-band DX fun.

73, de steve ve6wz


_
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Topband: DX conditions and activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

DX conditions and CW activity from VE6 has been excellent so far this season on 
160m.
I did a log .csv export and a few pivot table runs on the VE6WZ log from 
September till December 18.

This season stats for the 4 months so far,

AF / EU- 982 QSOs, 360 unique calls, 44 DXCC

AS- 294 QSO’s, 194 unique calls, 7 DXCC (228 JA QSOs)

OC- 132 QSO’s, 30 unique calls, 15 DXCC (42 VK QSO’s)

NA / SA- 48 QSO’s (non-USA), 29 DXCC

Total 1,456 DX QSO’s, 604 unique callsigns, and 95 DXCC

The band is alive and well with a lot of great CW DX activity.  Most evenings I 
will log 20-30 EU, and this year there have been many “never worked before on 
160” callsigns.
Sure, out of 1,456 DX QSOs only 604 are unique callsigns, but even that is a 
lot of activity on the band.  I still like to get calls from my DX friends even 
if we have worked multiple times on the band!

It seems that 160m is NOT going in the same direction as 6 m did for CW 
activity.

Get on the band, call CQ and work some DX…..even if it's not a “new one”.

73, es lets hope the great conditions persist!

de steve ve6wz
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Last night I worked 46 EU from 0300z till about 0600.
In spite of the elevated solar wind, the band was in great shape into VE6.

de steve ve6wz


> On Dec 11, 2019, at 3:48 PM, Roger Kennedy  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> Not sure what conditions are like, but I hope we'll get a few stations on
> tonight !
> 
> 73 Roger G3YRO
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Re: Topband: ARRL 160m

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Wow…great stuff Joe!
Thanks for that info.

On a "miles per watt” I think N3HEE qualifies as my best DX during the 
contest..by a long shot!

At 2,000mi/ 5 watts you were 400 miles per watt.

EU ranges from 4,000-5,000, **assuming** 1 KW, that is only 4 or 5 miles per 
watt.
My most distant DX was BD4WN at 6,000 miles so at 1 kw still only 6 miles per 
watt.

Of course the big issue with EU and AS DX from VE6 is trans-polar AU 
absorption, but fortunately the ionosphere wasn't lit up too bad.

de steve ve6wz



> On Dec 9, 2019, at 11:18 AM, Joe Galicic  wrote:
> 
> Steve, I'm sure glad you stayed in the chair long enough to hear and work me. 
>  I was running 5 watts.  I called you many times throughout the contest 
> before you heard me Saturday evening during prop enhancement.  Thrilling to 
> work 2000 miles QRP on 160 meters. You did all the heavy lifting for me ! :)  
> TU es 73  -Joe N3HEE
> 
> 
>> On December 9, 2019 at 11:35 AM VE6WZ_Steve  wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> This was the first time I made a serious attempt at the ARRL 160m contest. 
>> Usually I will just poke around and hand out mults.  Since condx were 
>> looking pretty good, I decided to stay in the chair a bit longer.
>> 
>> I must say I forgot how this contest is really more like SS with some DX 
>> thrown in rather than a real DX contest. I knew the band was in great shape 
>> to EU because of how loud the EU callers were, at least 4 of which were 
>> dupes. At around 4 AM, John SM5EDX called in to tell me I had a great signal 
>> at his local NOON! So I knew the band was in good shape over the pole at my 
>> morning. The band was wall-to-wall during prime-time, but I could usually 
>> find a CQ hole somewhere.  If you left a run spot to go pee, it would be 
>> gone within about 1 or 2 minutes.
>> 
>> 1319 QSOs (1381 total QSOs but 62 dupes!!! some guys just kept duping me, 
>> multiple times…I just kept logging them)
>> 83 sec (I worked all sections  before I went to bed Friday night)
>> 
>> 52 DXCC:
>> 
>> EU- 114 QSOs, 25 DXCC
>> 
>> AS- 97 QSOs, 5 DXCC: 86 JA, 7 UA9, 2 HL, 1 BY, 1 JT
>> 
>> OC- 8 QSOs, 2 DXCC: 7 KH6, 1 5W
>> 
>> SA- 3 QSOs, 3 DXCC: 1 CE, 1 YV, 1 PJ2
>> 
>> AF-1 QSO, 1 DXCC: 1 D4
>> 
>> I was operating my remote station using the Flex 6600, ACOM 2000a, 2 el TX, 
>> and multiple RX.
>> My preferred radio is the K3s because it has superior weak signal RX, but it 
>> has no waterfall via the remote.
>> 
>> My remote station is a challenge to operate a contest like this. Here is 
>> some info on how things are set-up.
>> 
>> I am not "a boy and his radio",  I am "a boy and his PC".  I use the Flex 
>> 6600 PC software on one monitor, and the remote station PC is on the other 
>> monitor where I log with N1MM and control the station.  There is no physical 
>> radio or switching at the operating table. Just the PC, a mouse and a 
>> keyboard.
>> I always use diversity RX with my 9 circle array in one ear, and the 
>> Beverages in the other. Each has 8 compass directions and each are 
>> controlled with a clickable rotor compass dial on the PC.  SO...to change 
>> directions I need to click the 9 circle, then click the Beverage selector, 
>> and then click the TX array direction, then get the cursor back to N1MM to 
>> log. Often I would be RX in multiple directions in each ear which was handy, 
>> but boyIm pretty sure I'm developing carpel tunnel syndrome from using 
>> that mouse!  During the morning run was really crazy...JA, OC, NA, N polar 
>> and EU all possible signal arrivals!
>> If I was RX for JA, and some polar EU would call if I had one ear on EU I 
>> might hear them, but then if they are weak, I need time to switch the other 
>> RX to have good copy.  If the callers are only dumping their call once…I 
>> might not get it.  Same with NA calling from the back of the RX.  The 
>> Beverage broadside phased pairs are very sharp, and the difference can be 
>> copy-no copy just between N to NE.  I may consider adding my RBN skimmer 30m 
>> loop into the RX mix so I can have “omni” rx, but it does not hear as well.
>> So if I missed any callers, or seemed really slow responding, it was 
>> probably because I was busy switching my RX and struggling to get the mouse 
>> back into N1MM to type in a call.  This is one disadvantage of the remote 
>> compared to having a physical direction switch so I could keep the focus on 
>> N1MM.
>> There were some very exceptional EU signals, some of which when they called 
>> I was