Re: Topband: CONDX CQWW V31XX

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

 Was on and off for a few hours.  My apologies for poor ears here.  Coming cold 
front was creating huge QRN problem.  Managed 10 or so Eu.  Hopefully condx 
better tongiht.
Bill V31XX
 
 Hey topbanders,during first night CQWW 160m I worked 110 stations NA , also 
west coast .Condx were not bad here in DL.Hope to work more DX tonight.
73 Andy DL8LAS / DR5X

www.dl8las.com
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Topband: V31XX SUPERSTAION FOR SALE (PRICE REDUCTION)

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

My health continues to deteriorate and I have reduced the price of the station 
to only $359,900 USD.  The XYL and I are almost to the point of just dropping 
the tower if we don't sell to a ham and just selling the home as a regular 
residence, which would be a shame.  Lots of details on V31XX.com.  Be sure to 
hit the blog tab on the site for more pics and complete details of the home 
station.
73  
Bill K4XS/V31XX
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Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 247, Issue 3

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

 399,900 USD.  Includes the home, all radio equipment, tower/antennas, all 
furniture, and a Toyota 4WD truck, lots of power tools, yard tractor etc.
73  Bill
On Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 05:59:09 AM UTC, Mamuka Kordzakhia via Topband 
 wrote:  
 
  How much?
    On Monday, July 3, 2023, 08:00:42 PM GMT+4, topband-requ...@contesting.com 
 wrote:  
 
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Today's Topics:

  1. V31XX STATION SALE (cqtestk...@aol.com)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2023 16:07:28 + (UTC)
From: "cqtestk...@aol.com" 
To: "towert...@contesting.com" ,     CQ-Contest
    Reflector ,     TopBand List
    
Subject: Topband: V31XX STATION SALE
Message-ID: <1099079714.1193988.1688314048...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

We thought a fellow ham was going to buy the place, but it just didn't work 
out.? As a result, the station is back on the market at a reduced price.? More 
info can be found on QRZ.com and V31XX.com.? Or drop me an email for more info.
Not interested?? There is a substatial finder's fee for anyone who locates a 
buyer of the station.
There has been interest in a partnership by several hams.? If interested let me 
know and I can put you guys in touch. By the way, the station can be operated 
remotely.
73? Bill? V31XX/K4XS

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Topband: V31XX STATION SALE

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

We thought a fellow ham was going to buy the place, but it just didn't work 
out.  As a result, the station is back on the market at a reduced price.  More 
info can be found on QRZ.com and V31XX.com.  Or drop me an email for more info.
Not interested?  There is a substatial finder's fee for anyone who locates a 
buyer of the station.
There has been interest in a partnership by several hams.  If interested let me 
know and I can put you guys in touch. By the way, the station can be operated 
remotely.
73  Bill  V31XX/K4XS
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Topband: Painted towers

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

The 200 ft painted tower rule is not the same all over the world.  My tower in 
Belize is only around 130 ft and is over 5 miles from the nearest airport in 
Mexico.  Yet, in permitting my tower, I was forced to paint it the standard 
red/white.  Things do vary round the world.
Bill K4XS/KH7XS/V31XX
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Topband: Yard staples

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Good quality and the cheapest around.  Sandbaggy on ebay.  Free ship.
Bill K4XS/V31XX
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Topband: V31XX Antenna Check

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Thanks to all who responded.  Consensus is the antenna is working as well as 
can be expected for a wire vertical with 55 radials over average ground.  Not a 
4  square or a vertical next to a beach but good enough to work 57 countries in 
the test.  Now if I only had room for a 800 ft Beverage.  Hi!
73  Bill K4XS/V31XX
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Topband: Antenna check for V31XX

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

After  putting down 3600 yard staples to install 55 radials 130 ft for my 100 
ft wire vertical with a 30 ft L I was ready for the 160 test.  For RX I used an 
SAL-30 which performed well at my old QTH in KH6.
The only other V3 station was V31MA who has an excellent location close to the 
water with a great take off to W/K and EU, but ran LP, so it was hard to 
compare on the RBN.  I'm curious how the antenna performed as i finished the 
radials right before the contest and really didn't have a chance to check it 
out on the air.  I had quite a few EU and many JAs that were there but I 
couldn't copy them as they were in the mud.
Any comments on the signal/condx would be appreciated.
73  Bill K4XS/V31XX

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Topband: V31 active

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Just finished my wire vertical for 160 with 35 mostly 130 ft radials, some  are 
shorter going to the southwest.  I'll be on tonight and the next few nights to 
check it out.  I'll be using the SAL-30 for rx.
Bill K4XS/V31XX
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Topband: radial wire

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Brand new still wrapped...5000 ft of AWG  20 insulated wire.  It is excess to 
what I needed for my 80 meter 4 sq and 160 vertical.  $170 and I pay shipping 
to the lower 48.  Pic is on KA9FOX's classifieds.
Bill K4XS
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Topband: Radial wire

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

"For whatever weird reason, the price of insulated wire is
nearly always lower than the equivalent bare wire.  And
Romex sells for less than the equivalent individual wires."
I agree.  I recently picked up a 5000 ft roll of insulated 20AWG for a little 
over $100 shipped.  Plenty enough to run 30 radials.
I too woul dlike to know if you can cross insulated wires without soldering.  
Planning on puttin up a 4 square for 80 at my new station in V31 and if you 
don't have to solder them it would be a great.
Bill K4XS/KH7XS/V31XX
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Re: Topband: Sloping Ground

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

My place in Hawaii was sloped more than about 99% of all locations...a drop of 
1100 feet to sea level around 6000 feet away.  It does make a difference.  I 
had the same slope up hill as down and i can tell you 100% for sure the slope 
makes a difference.  I used a bent full size vertical wire  for 160 and 
downhiull was far better. It would be worth the extra coax if you had a pretty 
significant slope.

Bill K4XS/KH7XS

-Original Message-
From: Sam Josuweit 
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Sun, Jun 21, 2020 1:53 pm
Subject: Topband: Sloping Ground

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??

 

Thanks

Sam(N3XZ)

 

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Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I don't have a dog in the fight but why not move to 1843 or 1844.  Is 1840 
sacrosanct?
Bill KH7XS

-Original Message-
From: Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
To: Edward Sawyer 
Cc: GEORGE WALLNER ; TopBand List 
Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 12:51 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840

Ed

FT8 can move, but 1840 still is useless to do CW, so is not a FT8 problem

George said the two big problems, hope this not increase with harmonics

73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W

El mar., 21 may. 2019 a las 8:52, Edward Sawyer ()
escribió:

> I agree with the 2 messages.  But there is a 3rd.  The inability for the
> FT8 crowd to QSY around some interference.  Interference is a fact of
> life.  And we have QSY’s around it (even as it is being worked) for a
> century.
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
>
>
> From: GEORGE WALLNER [mailto:aa...@atlanticbb.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 7:50 AM
> To: Edward Sawyer; topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: AM interference on 1840
>
>
>
> There are two messages in this topic: One is the interference from this
> particular BC station. Not a crisis, not yet. Two is a warning: Newly
> installed solid-state AM broadcast amplifiers in poorly regulated regions,
> over time, will have the potential to fill the entire 160 meter band with
> harmonics. The second part is not trivial and should be a heads-up. The
> earlier we find ways to deal with it, the better.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
> George,
>
> AA7JV
>
>
>
> On Tue, 21 May 2019 05:32:24 -0400
>
> "Edward Sawyer"  wrote:
>
> While the harmonic interference is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with,
>
> isn't this only "a crisis" because of the simplistic FT8 solution of
>
> bunching everyone up on a small channel? It reminds me of the old CB days
>
> when something would happen on a certain channel but no one would move
>
> because they have always had the radio on channel 2 and that's where all
>
> their buddies are. Or the 75M pig farmers that refuse to move but complain
>
> and harass on QRM that was there before their daily time started.
>
>
>
> For those of us using CW on topband, this isn't a real problem except for a
>
> contest weekend. And honestly, it will just get moved around, like the
>
> Middle East jammer on 3807.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed N1UR
>
>
>
> _
>
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> Reflector
>
>
>
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> Reflector
>


-- 
73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W
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Re: Topband: The DXpedition FT8 quandry

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

They ain't gonna work me.  I'm with you.  Did the FT-8 last summer for around 
400 Qs...that was quite enough.  If I don't make 200, 300 countries because I 
don't FT-8, so what?
KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: Edward Sawyer 
To: topband 
Sent: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 10:21 pm
Subject: Topband: The DXpedition FT8 quandry

There continues to be a trend for DXpeditions to be "active on 160M" by
firing up FT8.  Sadly, in some cases, recently XT2 and 5T5, there appears to
be no attempt to be on 160M except for FT8.  A far different scenario that
utilizing it because of bad band conditions.  I worked 5T5 on 20, 40, 80M
and they seemed to have no problem hearing in general.

 

I am curious what topbanders are doing.  Work them no matter what just to be
sure you have the topband Q?  Waiting to see if CW appears?  Waiting for
"the next one"?  

 

Personally, the counter isn't the only goal.  Its also full enjoyment.  And
the very concept of clicking on the screen with the volume turned down and
waiting for the CFM message to appear, just doesn't do it for me.

 

I was only marginally chasing "Challenge" band countries.  Always with an
eye towards 160M and 80M rather than full sweep.  The FT8 trend is clearly
challenging that pursuit for traditional CW.

 

Where are you coming down on this these days?

 

Ed  N1UR

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Re: Topband: Great moments in Top Band History - 7P8LB

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Don't feel too badly.  7P8 is about as far away as you can get from KH6.  The 
last night I heard them for an hour at 559-569. I never heard them say Oceania 
or Pacific.  No KH6 got through either.  Not complaining about the 
operation...it was a good one.
K4XS/KH7XS

-Original Message-
From: CT1EKD 
To: topband 
Sent: Sun, Mar 17, 2019 10:13 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Great moments in Top Band History - 7P8LB



I'm Very sad about this.
I tryed several nights but  We Never have a change to make it, because  
of the "Only JA or Only NA" .
We at S-West Europe have a diferent propagation from the Central-Europe...
For what I can see ONLY 1 CT station is on the log on 160m...
better days will come

Pedro - CT1EKD








Citando Wes :

> Congratulations to those who made a QSO.  I was away, and probably  
> wouldn't be in the hunt anyway with my modest station.
>
> But I'm troubled by this:
>
> On 3/16/2019 7:44 AM, Tree wrote:
>> the
>> first station made it into the log - although the call was busted by one
>> letter.  Typically - this is good enough.
>
> When did this become good enough?
>
> Wes  N7WS
>
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Re: Topband: 4sq vs SAL 30 Mkii in a forest

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I have  had both.
First, the SAL-30 is currently being used at my station and hears considerably 
better than my 160 vertical.  It exhibits F/B somewhere around 15-20 dBs on 
160.  It is located about 100 ft from the nearest antenna (the westernmost 
vertical of my 4 sq for 80), about 150 feet from my tower and 175 ft from my 
160 vertical.  Other than that it is in the clear...no trees at all.  I am 
totally satisfied with its performance.  It hears about the same as my 4 sq for 
80, and down from my 4 el at 85 ft for 40.  Although sometimes it does hear 
better on 40 and 80, but not often.
In FL I had a Hi-Z array but I always felt it was compromised.  Why?  It was in 
the back part of my lot where several elements were very close to the trees.  
One element was almost touching the trees...big oaks with lots of Spanish moss. 
 I also had a run of TV cable of 550 ft to it.  This is not to bad mouth the 
antenna system, I just felt I had put it in the wrong part of the yard and it 
might have performed better with less of a run and further away from the trees.
I sold the station about a year after I bought the antenna so I never moved the 
system.
By the way, 160 was hopping over the weekend out here in the ARRLDX331 
stations and many were VERY LOUD.
Bill K4XS/KH7B/KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: Lee STRAHAN 
To: Joe Subich, W4TV ; topband@contesting.com 

Sent: Tue, Feb 19, 2019 4:15 am
Subject: Re: Topband: 4sq vs SAL 30 Mkii in a forest

  Joe and all,
  Looking at the YCCC plots show all back lobes on 160 meters to be right at 20 
dB down. The Hi-Z 4-square as shipped has only 2 side lobes and both are at 20 
dB down with a notch directly off the back at usual 30+ dB down. Its true there 
are plots around that show the -13 dB side lobes on the 4-square which is a 
special phase delay to maximize the RDF another 0.1 dB or so.
  In addition, the 4-square suffers NO degradation in pattern and produces the 
same F/B and RDF on 80 meters as it does on 160. The YCCC is degraded on 80m. 
If the 4-square is built on a 60 foot side dimension instead of the usual 80 
feet there is less than 1/10 reduction in RDF on 160 and the nearly same 160 
meter performance is also available on 40 meters as well.
    There is one fact that remains. Having any receiving antenna that works is 
always better than none at all. Compromised or not. The only indicator of 
performance in the long run is smiles behind the dial. Hope you, K7XH get lots 
of private messages to help you with your choice as well. I am thinking your 
trees are a non-issue.

Lee  K7TJR
Hi-Z Antennas


    


 > Any experience with the same or  thoughts?

I would recommend looking into the YCCC "9 circle" (or "5 square") array.  Even 
though the kits are no longer available boards appear to be available from the 
PI4CC group.

The vertical arrays are less susceptible to wildlife damage than the SAL (due 
to the low horizontal wire of the SAL) and provide a higher signal level 
(before the preamp).

I like the YCCC design because it has a cleaner pattern than the
4 square (the center element is not "split" and thus does not cause a spurious 
sidelobe response).  Further, the "9 circle"
version provides 45 degree pattern selection (vs. 90 degrees for the 4 square) 
and if 90 degree steps are acceptable, the 5 square version provides the higher 
RDF in the same space (60' diagonal square).

As long as you keep the verticals (or the ends of the SAL) 10 - 15'
or so from tree trunks and keep the "brush' out of the array any degradation 
should be minimal (mostly as additional losses) with any of the antenna designs.

If you are comfortable with NEC (antenna modelling), I urge you to run the 
models of all three designs and make your own choice.  Based on the models, the 
SAL appear to be "unstable" and more prone to environmental factors that the 
"amplified" vertical arrays.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2019-02-18 2:56 PM, Mike Fischer wrote:
> Hi all, newb to the topband 160 reflector here so thank you for any 
> coaching or corrections on protocol…
> 
> I live on a heavily forested (douglas firs - almost all of which are 100’+) 
> piece of land.
> 
> I have enough room left to put up either an SAL 30 or a  4sq of 20’ 
> verts with 80’ spacing. HiZ probably
> 
> Problem is regardless of which I choose, there will be at least one or two 
> trees in the “infield“ and foliage around the edges.
> 
> Any experience with the same or  thoughts? Grateful for the coaching 
> please feel free to reply direct to  mikebfisc...@comcast.net
> 
> 73
> K7XH
> 


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Re: Topband: Lack of Activity

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I agree.  Of course last night was the warm up before the ARRL CW.  Result?  I 
put about 20 EU in the log along with TZ4AM, some Carib stations and lots of 
W/'K.    Best night on 80 since I hit the Island.  Wait for the empty band 
after the test.
KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: Edward Sawyer 
To: topband 
Sent: Fri, Feb 15, 2019 5:35 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of Activity

I see a general lack of CW activity other than contests and DXpeditions
actually.  Not just on top band.  Add to that the virtually non-existent SSB
DX activity on top band, and there you have it.  Quite a bit of the FT-8
activity looks to me to be non-CW ops who don't have the desire or
capability to DX on SSB.

 

Amazingly though, in contests and major DXpeditions, everyone comes out of
the woodwork.  So they are all there, just not there.  I think for many
people, the allure of "tuning the bands" and discovery has been lost.  

 

I agree with the "we need to make it happen more if its important to us".  I
for one don't tend to be a DX CQer.  But I have started to make more of a
habit of answering those I hear.  Tuning by is not helping the issue.

 

73

 

Ed  N1UR

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Re: Topband: Lack of Activity

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

If working EU from west coast is exciting, try it from KH6...right over the 
pole.  This season I have worked around 20-25 or so EU on the top band...a half 
dozen of them the last day of CQWW.  Throw in a couple of Africans, a few SA 
and some JA and that is it, unless you count W/K, some of which are almost 5000 
miles away.  
Nobody comes up on CW anymore...sad.  Please don't suggest FT-8...it ain't my 
cup of tea.
KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: W7RH 
To: topband 
Sent: Thu, Feb 14, 2019 9:10 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of Activity

Roger and group,

It's not your imagination, activity on CW has been very low. Add to that 
propagation has been absolutely horrid all season from a left coast 
perspective. While some northern folks have been able to get a hop under 
the aurora curtain it just is not possible from my Arizona location. I 
can appreciate the joy of the eastern stations working EU. Out west it's 
our equivalent of working the east coast. 4000 km vs. 8000 km.

The last two openings that were very good were in mid and late December. 
Since that time I have had only 4 EU QSOs. Meanwhile only a _few JA,UA0 
and HL5IVL_ have been active. XX9D has been on in the morning with great 
SR signal but due to location and antenna restrictions his noise level 
is not penetrable. The trans-equatorial path has been quite good here. 
VK3IO solid S9 and V84SAA S9 both near sunrise this morning. They all 
have been worked leaving nothing else to do. There are only limited 
number of stations active the western pacific and all of those are 
15,000 km away!

I have joined the group of K7ZV, W0FLS, AA0RS, N7XM and K0RF calling CQ 
with no response inside JA window morning after morning. Even 
propagation to JA has been spotty, with little activity. Add to that 
I've worked one new entity this winter. Guess what? QSL direct only. The 
unmarked envelope with card and green stamps was pilfered in the mail.

As always I'll be a Top Band die hard as well. I retired in February 
2017 and listen almost everyday at Sun rise and Sunset. Changing the 
active aurora is beyond my powers no matter how much effort in antenna 
system or even power for the matter.

CU all on top band. The ARRL DX CW contest is really the last 
opportunity from out west. By and large the worst top band season I've 
seen in a long time

73

Bob, W7RH

Bob, W7RH



-- 
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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Topband: LACK OF ACTIVITY

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I also have found the lack of activity frustrating.  I'll call CQ and RBN says 
I'm hitting the mainland with a good sig.  I call CQ for maybe ten minutes and 
either one reply or none.
Look for KH7XS tonight after my sunset..around 0500Z.
KH7XS
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Re: Topband: : V84SAA

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Antenna here is a bent wire vertical with 60 radials and an SAL-30.  
As expected they were coming in from due west anywhere from 549-579 an hour 
before my sunrise  until a little after my sunrise.  I called and called for an 
hour with no contact, while they were working mostly EU and some Asia.
Bill KH7XS
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Re: Topband: FT-8

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

The catch is DAILY operating.  Few signals on 160 CW anymore...that's the rub.
KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: w5zn 
To: topband 
Sent: Fri, Feb 1, 2019 1:33 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: FT-8

This is all very comical to me and reached a hilarious high point last 
weekend. All of the CW folks say FT8 has destroyed CW activity on the 
band.

Last weekend leading up to and during CQWW 160, all of the FT8 folks 
bitterly complained that the CW guys had taken over the entire band and 
destroyed FT8.

I'm not a judge and don't stay in a Holiday Inn Express but it appears 
to me both modes are healthy!

73 Joel W5ZN

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Topband: FT-8

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

This thread has been addressed on various reflectors.
I've tried it, made around 400 contacts or so, and found the mode pretty 
boring.  Even with my pileups on FT-8 the mode left me cold.  I felt the same 
way with RTTY...tried it and found it boring.  Why?  With CW SSB/AM I felt a 
connection with the other person, someone sending with a key or a person 
speaking to me.  With RTTY and especially FT-8 my machine is decoding your 
machine.  Oh yeah, I know my XCVR is a machine and so is yours, but for me it's 
not the same.
I understand why guys get all hot and bothered about the new mode, it gives the 
guys who don't know CW a chance to work DX on a mode other than SSB and gives 
the weaker signal guys a chance to work DX.  For the guys with bigger stations 
it gives them a chance to work the rarer ones on tough bands like, 160 or 6.  
Maybe that's why I'm not into FT-8, I've got a big station, and can work CW.  
Also, I've never been really into putting the new one in the log as much as 
many guys are...I'm more of a contester.
If you want to work your pileups and/or work 300 countries on FT-8, that's fine 
with me.  I'm not going to look down my nose at you but please don't 
condescendingly  tell me I'm a dinosaur or refuse to accept new technology.  
I'm accepting it, I just don't want to be part of it.  No hard feelings.
Bill KH7XS/KH7B/K4XS
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Topband: KH6 condx

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Conditions kinda sucked out here.  A grand total of one EU QSO (UA) and he 
called in around an hour or so before my sunrise Sunday.  Even most of the New 
England guys were pretty weak.  Plus, on Friday night static crashes were 
really crashing after midnight local time.
There are advanatages to being a KH6 in this test (10 pointers) and 
disadvantages (2500 miles to the nearest stations, and 7000 miles to all the 
juicy EU mults).
KH7XS (KH7B)
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Re: Topband: VP6D Monday Night @ P40W

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I agree with John.  I'm 3000+ miles away and they were running EU stuff I 
couldn't even hear on my shared apex.
Bill KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: John Crovelli 
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Tue, Oct 23, 2018 6:06 pm
Subject: Topband: VP6D Monday Night @ P40W

The VP6D ops were really terrific last night.  Listened to them for two hours.  
They cleaned the table to EU.


Worked them from P40W with 100w and 55 foot tall vertical dipole.  A definite 
thrill!


RX was better on NE beverage here too as someone else mentioned ... perhaps 
because that is the direction with with least noise or perhaps my 800' beverage 
doesn't have much front to back.  They peaked as high as an honest S-9 on my 
K3S at times but averaged S-7 for long periods.  Whatever they've managed to 
put up for a TX antenna is very effective - I know they've been fighting wind 
and rain.


Love Top Band!


John W2GD a.k.a. P40W this week


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Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Many reasons not to be concerned.


First, with 100 inches of rain nothing that is non-galvanized steel last very 
long in the acidic soil.  After six months the staples are starting to 
decompose and within a couple of years will be just stubble.


Second, with 100 inches of rain the grass really grows fast and the 
staples/wire has long ago been covered with thatch from the frequent cutting.  
It is hard to find the wire and staples.


Third, the wire breaks long before a six inch staple can be pulled out...at 
least in this heavy clay soil.  I know, I ran over a couple before the grass 
grew over it.


Fourth, the land is crop land, no chance of any kids playing on it, ever.


I mentioned I put in over 6000 staples.  Making 6000 dowel staples is just 
plain nuts.  Figuring cutting,drilling and stringing at 2 a minute, it would 
take a two days non-stop working  to complete that task...not to mention the 
expense the dowels.  I was able to get good quality 6 inch staples for 
$45/1000shipped.  Out here in KH6, that was a steal and it was the only 
practical way to go.


Bill KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: Rick Stealey 
To: topband 
Sent: Thu, Jun 7, 2018 8:30 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples

You should never use steel staples in the ground.  Think for a minute.  They 
are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time.  Imagine a barefoot child 
playing in the area (after you are SK possibly).  Imagine a lawn mower grabs a 
piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples attached.

All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them 
along the radial and pound down in.  Only need to be 4 inches long.  Simple, 
cheap, safe.


Rick  K2XT


From: Topband  on behalf of cqtestk4xs--- via 
Topband 
Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:54:59 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples

I recently laid down about 6000 staples.  After several months most of them are 
starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get at this QTH.  
They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no need to worry about 
biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas.



-Original Message-
From: N2TK, Tony 
To: topband 
Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm
Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples

Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about  biodegradable
staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start
adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel
staples I have.

Tnx

N2TK, Tony

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Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I recently laid down about 6000 staples.  After several months most of them are 
starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get at this QTH.  
They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no need to worry about 
biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas.



-Original Message-
From: N2TK, Tony 
To: topband 
Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm
Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples

Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about  biodegradable
staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start
adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel
staples I have.

Tnx

N2TK, Tony 

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Re: Topband: Straws in the wind, continued or, "Where's the DX?"

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

My two cents...


I've got no problem with advances in technology, but I chose to use what I want 
to use...and it ain't FT-8.  Every mode other than FT-8 requires a person to 
tune in a station and to take part in the contact.  The idea of being able to 
take a nap and make QSOs while my computer is talking to yours leaves me cold.  
I understand the use for weak signal work, but if I can't "hear" him, I didn't 
make the Q, my computer did.


If that's your idea of fun, go to it.  I'll stick to more buggy and whip 
stuff...like busting pileups or running a 250 hour.  Things that require 
operating technique skill  of a human being.


Bill KH7XS/K4XS




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Re: Topband: Soil conductivity maps

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

If anyone can find a good detailed map of the Hawaiian Islands soil 
conductivity I would appreciate a link.  


So far all I have found is a grainy gif of the Islands with very little 
detail...and a data sheet that has some longitude and latitude data.  Soil here 
grows anything instantly, is four feet deep red clay of volcanic origin.  With 
90 inches of rain a year it never dries out.  Best I can tell it looks to be a 
4 or 6 on the scale.  The data sheet looks like it may be a 2.  However, both 
numbers seem pretty low.  That 2 number seems awfully low and is equal to the 
sandy soil I had in Florida.


KH7XS


-Original Message-
From: Lloyd - N9LB 
To: 'top Band' 
Sent: Sun, Apr 1, 2018 4:29 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Soil conductivity maps

https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/m3-ground-conductivity-map#block-menu-block-
4

The link on the page to the download version has reasonable detail...

Having performed many field strength surveys for broadcasting ( using a
Nems-Clarke and later an Potomac FIM ), I can tell you that the real world
varies a significant amount.  The urbanized areas are much poorer, and of
course the transitions between conductivity areas will vary.

Your state Agriculture Department might have more detailed soil maps that
could be used as a starting point for estimated local soil conductivity.

73

Lloyd - N9LB

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jeff
Kinzli N6GQ
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2018 9:46 AM
To: top Band 
Subject: Topband: Soil conductivity maps

So I'm looking to purchase a new QTH. I'm not particular about location, but
would like to optimize for soil conductivity and any other parameters that
would increase near and far field propagation and minimize ground losses.
I've seen the US Gov M3 maps, but they are very coarse. They also only
define conductivity, and I'm wondering what other quantities would be useful
to look at.

I know that a salt water takeoff or marsh is awesome, but that's not gonna
happen in this iteration - looking very much central USA (W5, TX), inland.

So, any more fine-grained maps available? Or other quantities that would be
worth looking at? Books that discuss this sort of thing?
Mostly for either pinpointing optimal areas, or making sure that a good
looking property is at least half-way decent...

Thanks for any guidance,

de N6GQ
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Re: Topband: 160m polarization and elevation angles

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Another thought on this.


I visited W8JI's station some years ago where had the usual 4 square for 160 
and also an inverted Vee at around 300 feet.  He told me that the inverted Vee 
seldom played as good as or better than the 4 square  The 4 square was usually 
much better.


Bill K4XS/KH7XS



-Original Message-
From: Greg - ZL3IX 
To: topband 
Sent: Fri, Mar 30, 2018 7:34 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: 160m polarization and elevation angles

Hi Carl,

OH8X was active for some months when I was making Qs with Eu, in 
particular OH. I never heard them at all, although I have no idea of 
exactly when they were QRV. My guess is that if their monster antenna 
had produced results, they would have been a lot more active. We can 
certainly draw inferences from that!

In contrast, I have made many Qs with other guys running good stations 
with vertical Tx, such as OH2MA and OH3XR. In fact if there is any 
propagation at all between ZL and Eu, OH is often one of the first areas 
to benefit.

Conclusion - OH-ZL is not a particularly difficult path, and if the OH8X 
antenna had been effective, I would have easily heard them.

73, Greg, ZL3IX
> It would have been great to have had the OH8X 160m Yagi up for a long time
> so RBN could have been used to compare it to nearby vertical antennas. It
> would have shown how much of this theory is applicable in the real world.
>
>

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Topband: Condx last night

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

My apologies for sounding like a lid last night.  Almost continuous static 
crashes made rx almost impossible with the exception of a couple of the big 
guns and W6/W7.  Short skip was definitely in play.  85% of the stations I 
worked were W6/W7.
 
Bill KH7XS
 
 
-Original Message-
From: Herbert Schoenbohm 
To: W0MU Mike Fatchett ; TopBand List 
Sent: Sat, Feb 24, 2018 6:42 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Does flooding radial field help

The was certainly short skip within 300-400 miles and I work several
Carribean station within that range.  However, the unusual part of that was
an Italian who kept calling CQ where is was calling CQ and was S9 on the EU
Beverage. I never even got a QRZ from him. I had to null him out with the
NCC-1 just to work any states.  I worked a few in the southeast but nobody
even spotted me for the entire night except for one NY station with good
ears. I have come to the realization that 100 watts under conditions like
this are futile.

Herb, KV4FZ

On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 2:26 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett  wrote:

> It was conditions and it was SSB!  I could not hear PJ4G last night. The
> only DX that was "loud" was ZF2.
>
> W0MU
>
>
>
> On 2/24/2018 10:07 AM, Jack Henry via Topband wrote:
>
>> I was struggling to be heard in the contest last night.  Only 4 stations
>> were worked and they needed repeats.  All readings in the shack were normal
>> and I was hearing many stations with moderate signals.  The only thing that
>> was different was that we were irrigating the grass.   The grass is
>> irrigated by flooding from a small canal that is on the edge of the
>> property.  The canal is fresh water fed from an Andean river.  There was
>> about a quarter of an inch of water visible over the mowed grass.  I am
>> wondering if the water is effecting the antenna performance.
>>
>> I do not have a super station and only run 800W.  The antenna is a 45
>> foot vertical T loaded at the top.  There are 32 radials 60 to 80 feet in
>> length of different type wires.  All are insulated with various materials
>> and are buried about an inch below the soil level.
>>
>> Anyone have any experience or knowledge on this.  The soil is drying now
>> in the blistering sun so maybe we will see if there is any improvement
>> tonite.
>>
>> Thanks. Jack OA4TT
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> _
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>>
>
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Topband: SOD STAPLE SOURCE

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

As requested, one of the members wanted the link to the ebay site 1000 staples 
for $46, free ship.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sandbaggy-1000-6-Landscape-Staples-SOD-Staples-Garden-Stakes-Weed-Barrier-Pins/120895612145?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
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Topband: Sod staples

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

After getting a four square for 80 radial system buried and now starting the 
160 system I wanted to pass along a good cheap source of yard staples.  A 
company called sandbaggy has been my source.  You can find their stuff on ebay. 
 Cost is around $45/1000 for 6 inch staples.  Best part is they ship FREE via 
USPS priority mail...a very big issue for us out in KH6 since the package of 
1000 is quite heavy.

Bill K4XS/KH7XS  (KH7B this weekend)
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Topband: 160 vertical advice

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

First, I want to say thank you to all who responded to my post about a top 
loaded vertical for 160.

The antenna I wound up with was quite different than the one I proposed.  
Basically, it is about 132 feet of wire.  The top  "bent" part (65 feet) is 
carried by a  piece of thin Phillystran stretched out from the 84 foot level on 
my tower out to around 350 feet to a "borrowed" neighbors property.  Luckily 
the property also rises in slope about 25 feet, giving me a little extra 
height.  The remaining 67 feet is dropped straight down to the ground.   I 
currently have around 40 radials laying on the ground, not buried yet. Another 
20 or so to come.  Some of the radials from the 160 vertical overlap the ones 
from my 4 square for 80


The antenna is directly fed with 50 ohm cable and the SWR   is 1:1 at 1825 and 
is less than 1.3:1 across 1800-1900 kHz.  It looks into the tower in the 
direction of North America.

I gave the antenna its first workout tonight and it is a winner.  Worked all 
over the US and had about ten EU call in.  Copy was tough on this end as QRN 
was quite bad on the shared apex rx antenna.

Thanks  again to all who helped me find a solution to my 160 antenna.

Bill KH7XS/K4XS
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Topband: 160 top loaded vertical question

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Planning on putting up a 160 vertical, but of course a 1/4 wave vertical is out 
of the question here in HI since we have a height limitation.

Here's the question:  I'm putting up around 50 feet of 3 inch aluminum tubing  
(left over from various antenna takedowns).  I plan on putting up on top of 
that around another 10 or 15 feet of smaller diameter stinger for a total 
height of around 60-65 feet.  I obviously need to make up for the lack of 
height and I was planning on making a top hat of four wires coming down from 
the top of the antenna at around a 45 degree angle.  The problem is how long to 
make those wires.  My guess is around 25 feet based on my past experience in 
making Tee-topped 80 meter verticals.  However, it is only a guess and I don't 
feel like yanking the 3 inch pipe up and down a bunch of times to get it just 
right.  

I know some trimming will be necessary since this is not an exact science.  I 
just need an educated guess for where to start with the length.  Any ideas?

Bill K4XS/KH7XS
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Re: Topband: FT8 qrm

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Although this might not be a gigantic issue on 160 it is a big issue on 20.  
During peak time in CQWW I was copying CW contest signals up to around 14125.  
Parking spots are hard to come by on 20 and 40.  Nobody owns a freq, except the 
"pig farmers" on 75.
 
73  Bill KH7XS/K4XS
 
 
-Original Message-
From: Greg 
To: 'topband' 
Sent: Wed, Nov 29, 2017 7:26 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 qrm

Jeez -- enough already...how difficult is it to avoid 2.5 khz of bandwidth
that is not even in the DX portion of the band!  Leave FT8 alone and fight
the QRM below 1835.  73, Greg-N4CC

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Topband: fence charger

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Looking for a nice RFI quiet fence charger for my new pig  fence.  Any 
recommendations.  Please respond off reflector  to:
 
_cqtestk4xs@aol.com_ (mailto:cqtestk...@aol.com) 
 
73  Bill K4XS
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Re: Topband: Electric Fence Noise at W9RE

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Funny thing about electric fences...

I lease out 9 acres of my property in KH6 to a farmer who has an electric fence 
around that part of the property.  As far as I can tell it is totally silent.  
I parked my truck next to the fence, tuned to 1710 kHz and other than 
background noise, it was totally quiet...no pops etc.  No antennas up yet, but 
this certainly looks promising.  Any thoughts?

Bill K4XS/KH7XS



-Original Message-
From: Mike Wetzel 
To: topband 
Sent: Fri, Dec 9, 2016 5:52 pm
Subject: Topband: Electric Fence Noise at W9RE

Here is a link to Don's (WD8DSB) web site detailing our experience in
tracking down this noise.  

 

http://sites.google.com/site/w9reelectricfencerfi/

 

Many thanks for Don for his top notch experience in tracking this down,.

 

Powerline noise is one thing but now in the pass couple of years I have
major noise problems from a bad fluorescent T8 ballast and an over stressed
wall wart all located from 1000 feet to 4000 feet away.  Very lucky to have
cooperative neighbor's considering  my unsightly antennas.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike W9RE

 

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Re: Topband: 160M 8 Circle Array for transmit

[cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

This may be a little off topic, but it's close.


Height limitations at my new QTH for only one tower which can be no taller than 
90 feet.   It will be festooned with lots of tribanders etc.  However, in the 
past I've always used loops on 80 since my towers were so tall and they 
performed quite well.  However, I am considering a four square for 80.  One 
issue concerns me.  I know that the ideal location is on totally flat ground.  
Out in KH6 that is not a reality.  On the site I have a fairly flat location 
considering it is in KH6.  The slope is even and slopes about five feet in one 
direction, due north.  Any thoughts as to any problems with the slope?   My gut 
feeling is it may be slightly enhanced in that direction, since it is about one 
mile from the ocean and the elevation of the QTH is 1100 feetquite a drop.


Also I would like any thoughts as to the best commercial system setup to use 
with the four square.


Thanks for the help.


Bill K4XS/KH7XS
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Topband: W8JI

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I am not a regular contributor to the top band ...more of a  lurker.
 
I have heard W8JI is leaving the group, which is really a shame  since I 
valued his posts and the info I gained from them.  
 
Apparently there has been some material that has hit the fan that I  am not 
aware of since I have not had the time to read much of the posts  
lately...packing a container for shipment to my new KH6 QTH.
 
I will miss Tom's posts.
 
Bill K4XS/KH7XS
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Topband: Ideas for xmit antennas for new QTH in KH6

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Next year I'll be building a new home and station in  Hawaii.
 
40 through 6 meters is already set in stone, but 80 and 160 are  still 
cloudy.
 
Here's the setup:
 
I'm allowed one tower maximum 90 ft.  The tower will be 90 ft  of Rohn 55 
using a K0XG rotating system with two rings.  It will be guyed  using 
fiberglass guys.  There will be a bunch of HF VHF stuff on the  tower.  Three 
tribanders, two 12/17 meter Yagis, a 40 meter Yagi and way  down on the bottom 
two 6 meter antennas.
 
The tower sits on VERY uneven ground.  Although the lot   measures 12 
acres, I am using only the top three and renting out the rest of the  land to a 
farmer to keep taxes from being crazy high.
 
The ground is pure alluvial red fine particle soil (no stones) and  has a 
depth of about 6 feet before hitting rock. Since the east side of  Hawaii 
gets at least 100 inches of rain a year it is usually pretty  moist.  I would 
assume the soil is at least average or better in  conductivity.  I can run 
ropes, wires etc off the tower at the 80 and 40  foot guy points, but can not 
connect directly to the tower since the tower  rotates.  The is no room for 
a rotating dipole on the tower for  80.
 
I've used quad triangle loops before with the pointed end on the  bottom 
suspended by wires and am leaning towards that since the ground is so  uneven 
and the terrain difference would be a real negative for a 4 square (I  
think).
 
On 160 I'm leaning toward a wire vertical suspended from a rope  coming 
from the tower which would make the antenna about 65 or 70 feet tall and  to 
compensate for that I would make it a T-top.
 
For rx I have lots of room to run a 700 -900 Beverage to JA and  another to 
EU/USA direction, so that isn't a problem.
 
I do need suggestions for my 80 and 160 tx situation.  Any  ideas?
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Re: Topband: Is self-spotting ALWAYS wrong?

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I agree.  Many times when I was at KH6 at the bottom of the  cycle, I would 
self spot on 10 or 12 since the band was supposedly dead and no  one was 
listening.  The boys in EU would be very happy and more often than  not I'd be 
rewarded with a Q on a "dead band".
 
Many times that one Q would be followed by a string of more EU  Qs.  In 
fact, at the bottom of the cycle I managed over 50 or 60 Qs with EU  (a polar 
path) doing the self spot.  Now remember, that was a "dead  band".
 
Now as for self spotting on 15 at 1300Z, that is a no-no as far as  I am 
concerned.
 
Bill K4XS/KH7XS
 
 
In a message dated 2/7/2015 12:31:13 P.M. Coordinated Universal Time,  
mikew...@gmail.com writes:

Pardon  my ignorance, but if there is little or no activity on 160, what
harm does  spotting one's own "CQ DX" do? I know it's frowned upon, but I
have never  understood why.

I called CQ DX for awhile this morning before dawn, and  no one answered. I
know that propagation was decent, because I worked a  VK2, K1N, and heard
other DX. Perhaps if I would have spotted myself on the  DX cluster, then
some DX station would have taken notice and answered  me.

Not everyone tunes the bands looking for CQs all the time (like I  did this
AM after K1N's sunrise). But lots of people monitor the  cluster.

Just who would I have harmed (any why) if I would have  self-spotted myself?

73,  Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Topband: 160 GP Choke

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Thanks to all who responded. 
 
One of the suggestions was to wrap about 40-45 turns of RG8X mini  on a PVC 
core with a diameter of 4 incheslightweight and easy.  Part  two was to 
ground the braid of the feeder line coax at the point where it  reaches 
ground level.
 
What do you think?
 
Bill K4XS
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Topband: 160 ground plane choke

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I've been using a 160 GP with 4 radials.  It's a Tee-top  supported with a 
rope between two towers, with the top around 165 feet and the  base at 70 
feet.  I'm feeding it with RG8X to keep the weight down on  the rope which 
supports it.
 
Although it works well I would like to negate any loading which  might be 
taking place on the feed line which drops from straight down from  the base.  
Any ideas for a cheap, easily made, effective choke on the  feedline?
 
Bill K4XS/KH7XS
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Topband: PLP guy grips

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

Yes, there is a difference between what the power companies use and  what 
tower hands use.
 
I spoke to the guys at Preformed Line Products back around 2004 and  they 
said there IS a difference.  The ones used for towers are what you  want.  
Big Grips.
 
Bill K4XS
 
 
In a message dated 9/4/2014 6:14:41 P.M. Coordinated Universal Time,  
k...@jeremy.mv.com writes:

Not  according to the folks that invented them Frank. The Big Grip is a Guy 
 
Grip for serious  towers.

http://www.preformed.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_phocadownload%26view%3Dcat
egory%26download%3D44:plp-commcatsec20-2012%26id%3D15:strand-and-cable-produ
cts%26Itemid%3D145&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=nqoIVJWDDcmayAT5hoHQDA&ved=
0CBQQFjAA&sig2=1aPQDpfnvYFm8XWlxXxgjw&usg=AFQjCNEns72sjImeKDRibuLmm62WL9bSqA

The  Preform name is often used as a noun by cable apes  (-;

Carl
KM1H


- Original Message - 
From:  
To: "Bill Wichers"  
Cc: "Carl" ;  
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2014 1:40  PM
Subject: Re: Topband: WTB: Guy wire stuff


> Tower guys  should use Big Grips, not the performs used by electric 
>  utilities.  You can purchase Big Grips from Texas Towers and many other  
> suppliers
>
> 73
> Frank
>  W3LPL
>
> - Original Message -
> From: Bill Wichers  
> To: Carl  , topband@contesting.com
> Sent: Thu,  04 Sep 2014 13:31:07 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: Re: Topband: WTB: Guy wire  stuff
>
> If you only need a few like this, try calling some of  the utility 
> contractors in your area. They will always have the dead  ends and the 
guys 
> that also do the power work will also have the  insulators. They will 
> probably be able to sell you a few without too  much trouble.
>
> BTW, the utility guys will usually call the  "dead ends" "preforms" 
> (different industry, different terminology  :-), but they are the same 
> thing. The telco/cable guys use 1/4" EHS  strand for a support line for 
> their cables so they will always have  hardware for that. The preforms 
are 
> cheap enough from the crew's  perspective that they are occasionally used 
> as temporary "twist ties"  to hole up cable prior to lashing.
>
> You can order the stuff  from Graybar too (probably the telecom division, 
> but the power  division can get stuff too), but I don't know about their 
> prices.  I've only ever ordered by the carton at work.
>
>   -Bill
>
> > What I need is:
> >
>  > Up to 12 502 guy insulators
> > Up to 18 1/4"  deadends/guy grips
> >
> > Individually prices from  dealers is ridiculous and I dont need case 
> loads as I
>  > bought when building the other 3 towers in 90-91 and wound up 
giving  
> away
> > what I didnt use.
> >
>  > Any help appreciated.
> >
> > Carl
>  > KM1H
> >
> > _
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> _
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>
>
>  -
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
> Version: 2014.0.4765 / Virus Database: 4015/8153 - Release  Date: 09/04/14
> 

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Re: Topband: Modeling the proverbial "vertical on a beach"

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

One last thought on this..
 
When I came back to the mainland in 2010 the only rig I had was my  truck, 
an ICOM 706 and a Tarheel screwdriver antennanot exactly a super  setup. 
 
 
I was really craving a radio fix so for the 2010 phone sweepstakes  I drove 
my truck on dirt road that jutted out into the Gulf of Mexico for a mile  
or so and backed the truck up so the antenna was hovering over the water and  
proceeded to call CQSS.  During the first two hours of SS I was able to  
hold a run frequency and knocked off 100 Qs, with 100W and a Tarheel  
antenna...on 14240.  Ah, the wonders of Saltwater.
 
Bill K4XS
 
 

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Topband: Length of Beverages

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

I'm planning on putting up some Beverages for the fall  season...primarily 
for use on 160.  Unfortunately, they have to be taken  down again in the 
Spring for crops.  The good news is they can be any  length up to around 
1200-1300 feet.
 
Many have said that around 880 ft is the "sweet spot".  Is  there any 
advantage to going up to around 1300 feet?
 
Bill K4XS
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Re: Topband: Rig Question

[Cqtestk4xs--- via Topband]

The 3rd party messages separate the men from the boys in that  contest.  
Anyone can let the computer designate 5914 for G3XYZ.   Copying the complete 
exchange for SS in QRM, QRN and QSB is tough...much  tougher than WW or any 
160 contest.
 
When I operated from KH6, NWT was actually quite easy, same is true  from 
FL.  From KH6 VO1 was tough.  From NFL VI is tough since we look  the other 
way for the contest.  It all depends how adept one is with SO2R  and what 
one's QTH is..
 
Bill K4XS/KH7XS
 
 
In a message dated 6/19/2014 10:57:58 P.M. Coordinated Universal Tim,  
he...@vitelcom.net writes:

Carl,  I don't operate SS because as the hum drum of ancient  3rd party 
message exchanges in the digital age its really very  boring.  I have 
heard some ops say that without the spotting networks  and if you miss 
NWT you are sure to lose.  This crucial multipliers  the chances of 
stumbling on to it is somewhere between slim and  none.

Herb Schoenbohm KV4FZ




On 6/19/2014 5:13 PM,  Carl wrote:
> And with the leisurely pace of SS it could probably be  done today 
> minus the spotting networks that many deny using in all  contests.
>
> The last SS I operated was as a guest op in the far  west
> burbs of Chicago in 71 or 72. With 2 towers and 5el monobanders  10-20 
> and 2 el on 40 a sweep was easy but boring. The rig was a  Galaxy 5 and 
> Hunter 2000B.far from high end state of the  art.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> - Original  Message - From: "Herb Schoenbohm" 
> To:  
> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2014 1:47  PM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Rig Question
>
>
>> On  6/19/2014 1:30 PM, Carl wrote:
>>> ** Perceptions, pressure,  freebies all play into the picture. I wont 
>>> disagree the K3  has a good receiver, especially for CW but GOOD 
>>>  DXpedition/contest ops have contended with worse for decades and set  
>>> new records
>> I remember when Chip, K7JA, paid me a  visit in the early 80's 
>> carrying along a new Yaesu FT-101EE and  broke all records in the ARRL 
>> SS by winning for the first time  won both the Phone and the CW in the 
>> same year as first place  high scorer.  Much of this can be chalked up 
>> to a very good  operator, second to a good location and rare 
>> multiplier, and  lastly to the radio.  The purists at the time teased 
>> Chip's  use of an inexpensive "rice box" as the FT-101 was called back 
>>  then.  Few would even list today such a radio as something they  used.
>>
>> Herb Schoenbohm., KV4FZ
>>  _
>> Topband Reflector Archives -  http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>>
>>
>>  -
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
>> Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7706 -  Release Date: 
>> 06/19/14
>>
>
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