Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
I probably should know, but what makes Zone 2 such a rarity for JA & the others? The few operators from 2? Propagation issues? 73, Gary KA1J _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
FT/X is never going away. Just like Remotes and packet, contesting, SSTV, insert your most dislike part of the hobby. It is called change. Disparaging other people in our hobby is not helpful to the hobby especially to new people coming it. What would they think if they over heard this conversation? Sadly many only care about themselves and what they can work as long as it is using the modes and bands they like. If you can't beat em, join em. Who knows you might even have some fun or a least work a new one or two. Cheers W0MU On 11/10/2019 7:56 PM, Larry via Topband wrote: gang, you are missing the point. this thread has turned into a discussion of FT8 vs CW. again. the original message is about jeff and miriam taking the time, effort and no doubt expense to give the deserving few a new zone. some day you may be lucky enough to need only one zone for WAZ. you may not be whining if it was zone 2. imagine the delight for steve, VK6IR who completed his 5BWAZ! this is what ham radio is all about. my wife and i were fortunate to visit VY2ZM/VY2NA and finer people can't be found. i suggest that you find the time to write and congratulate them for their efforts rather than bitch about what mode they used. just a thought, 73,larryn7dd -Original Message- From: Michael Walker To: Eugene Popov /RA0FF/ CC: k...@aol.com ; topband Sent: Mon, 11 Nov 2019 1:15 Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week It is clear that the 160M is just full of grumpy old farts. That is ok, we are getting used to it. :) You'd think someone is making them use FT8. No one said you had to use it. If you don't like it, just spin the dial or turn the radio off. I have a pretty good hearing 160M station. I see maybe 5 guys on CW. For you 5, that is awesome!! I see double to triple that on FT8. If you want the screen shot that shows the activity, just ask me and I'll send it to you. For all you guys b*tching about FT8, how many actually turned on the radio an called CQ? This week? This month? This year? I'm trying to work new countries on 160M CW. I might hear 1 a month in CW. Maybe. Not true in FT8. The one and only exception is if there is a contest. Then, you guys don't get on because the band is then too crowded. Sounds like you need a new hobby, unless your hobby is complaining. 73 all. Maybe I'll work you on the air. Feel free to yell at me if you hear me. LOL Mike va3mw On Sun, Nov 10, 2019 at 7:10 PM Eugene Popov /RA0FF/ via Topband < topband@contesting.com> wrote: Hi, Unfortunately, I learned very late about work plans from the 2 zone. I heard a short, quiet squeak in the CW, and later decoded the signal on 1840. Unfortunately, all the work was for JA friends, RX was only in 1908. May be later on 1840, but I’m no decode... For me, the 2 zone is the only one that is needed for 160m. Usually, guys coming to CQWW’s work only for Europe, no chance for us (Far East Asia). But I continue to hope and listen band :) 73! Eugene, RA0FF http://wwwq.qsl.net/ra0ff / https://twitter.com/ra0ff/ Пятница, 8 ноября 2019, 21:50 +11:00 от k1zm--- via Topband < topband@contesting.com>: 08 Nov 2019 Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only possible way to complete contacts to JA. It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: JF8QNF JA8EAT JA7NI JA1BK JA8WKE JA3FYC We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by these other JA stations: JH7PFD (two decodes) JE6KYA (one decode) JA1EOD (several decodes). Epilogue: We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB t
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
gang, you are missing the point. this thread has turned into a discussion of FT8 vs CW. again. the original message is about jeff and miriam taking the time, effort and no doubt expense to give the deserving few a new zone. some day you may be lucky enough to need only one zone for WAZ. you may not be whining if it was zone 2. imagine the delight for steve, VK6IR who completed his 5BWAZ! this is what ham radio is all about. my wife and i were fortunate to visit VY2ZM/VY2NA and finer people can't be found. i suggest that you find the time to write and congratulate them for their efforts rather than bitch about what mode they used. just a thought, 73,larryn7dd -Original Message- From: Michael Walker To: Eugene Popov /RA0FF/ CC: k...@aol.com ; topband Sent: Mon, 11 Nov 2019 1:15 Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week It is clear that the 160M is just full of grumpy old farts. That is ok, we are getting used to it. :) You'd think someone is making them use FT8. No one said you had to use it. If you don't like it, just spin the dial or turn the radio off. I have a pretty good hearing 160M station. I see maybe 5 guys on CW. For you 5, that is awesome!! I see double to triple that on FT8. If you want the screen shot that shows the activity, just ask me and I'll send it to you. For all you guys b*tching about FT8, how many actually turned on the radio an called CQ? This week? This month? This year? I'm trying to work new countries on 160M CW. I might hear 1 a month in CW. Maybe. Not true in FT8. The one and only exception is if there is a contest. Then, you guys don't get on because the band is then too crowded. Sounds like you need a new hobby, unless your hobby is complaining. 73 all. Maybe I'll work you on the air. Feel free to yell at me if you hear me. LOL Mike va3mw On Sun, Nov 10, 2019 at 7:10 PM Eugene Popov /RA0FF/ via Topband < topband@contesting.com> wrote: > > > Hi, > Unfortunately, I learned very late about work plans from the 2 zone. I > heard a short, quiet squeak in the CW, and later decoded the signal > on 1840. Unfortunately, all the work was for JA friends, RX was only in > 1908. > May be later on 1840, but I’m no decode... > For me, the 2 zone is the only one that is needed for 160m. Usually, guys > coming to CQWW’s work only for Europe, no chance for us (Far East Asia). > But I continue to hope and listen band :) > > 73! Eugene, RA0FF > http://wwwq.qsl.net/ra0ff / > https://twitter.com/ra0ff/ > > > >Пятница, 8 ноября 2019, 21:50 +11:00 от k1zm--- via Topband < > topband@contesting.com>: > > > >08 Nov 2019 > > > > > >Hi Gang > >Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. > Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI > was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. > >Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with > ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was > much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends > have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance > to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. > >So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: > >QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 > >Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could > have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then > get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) > >We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only > possible way to complete contacts to JA. > >It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: > >JF8QNF > >JA8EAT > >JA7NI > >JA1BK > >JA8WKE > >JA3FYC > >We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded > by these other JA stations: > >JH7PFD (two decodes) > >JE6KYA (one decode) > >JA1EOD (several decodes). > >Epilogue: > >We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for > these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). > >Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on > 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did > not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band > but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about > 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could > do digital. YES! was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes > later. > >After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - > within minutes the
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
It is clear that the 160M is just full of grumpy old farts. That is ok, we are getting used to it. :) You'd think someone is making them use FT8. No one said you had to use it. If you don't like it, just spin the dial or turn the radio off. I have a pretty good hearing 160M station. I see maybe 5 guys on CW. For you 5, that is awesome!! I see double to triple that on FT8. If you want the screen shot that shows the activity, just ask me and I'll send it to you. For all you guys b*tching about FT8, how many actually turned on the radio an called CQ? This week? This month? This year? I'm trying to work new countries on 160M CW. I might hear 1 a month in CW. Maybe.Not true in FT8. The one and only exception is if there is a contest. Then, you guys don't get on because the band is then too crowded. Sounds like you need a new hobby, unless your hobby is complaining. 73 all. Maybe I'll work you on the air. Feel free to yell at me if you hear me. LOL Mike va3mw On Sun, Nov 10, 2019 at 7:10 PM Eugene Popov /RA0FF/ via Topband < topband@contesting.com> wrote: > > > Hi, > Unfortunately, I learned very late about work plans from the 2 zone. I > heard a short, quiet squeak in the CW, and later decoded the signal > on 1840. Unfortunately, all the work was for JA friends, RX was only in > 1908. > May be later on 1840, but I’m no decode... > For me, the 2 zone is the only one that is needed for 160m. Usually, guys > coming to CQWW’s work only for Europe, no chance for us (Far East Asia). > But I continue to hope and listen band :) > > 73! Eugene, RA0FF > http://wwwq.qsl.net/ra0ff / > https://twitter.com/ra0ff/ > > > >Пятница, 8 ноября 2019, 21:50 +11:00 от k1zm--- via Topband < > topband@contesting.com>: > > > >08 Nov 2019 > > > > > >Hi Gang > >Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. > Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI > was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. > >Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with > ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was > much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends > have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance > to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. > >So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: > >QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 > >Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could > have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then > get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) > >We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only > possible way to complete contacts to JA. > >It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: > >JF8QNF > >JA8EAT > >JA7NI > >JA1BK > >JA8WKE > >JA3FYC > >We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded > by these other JA stations: > >JH7PFD (two decodes) > >JE6KYA (one decode) > >JA1EOD (several decodes). > >Epilogue: > >We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for > these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). > >Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on > 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did > not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band > but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about > 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could > do digital. YES! was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes > later. > >After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - > within minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - > including VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. > >So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at > the same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The > A/K were lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we > worked the first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning > JA8WKE and JA3FYC. > >One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - > so this works out to about 400km per JA qso. > >KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had > some limited success in doing so. > >We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank > Donovan (W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their > input and suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! > >73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM > >Email: k...@aol.com > >_ > >Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _ Searchable Archives:
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Hi, Unfortunately, I learned very late about work plans from the 2 zone. I heard a short, quiet squeak in the CW, and later decoded the signal on 1840. Unfortunately, all the work was for JA friends, RX was only in 1908. May be later on 1840, but I’m no decode... For me, the 2 zone is the only one that is needed for 160m. Usually, guys coming to CQWW’s work only for Europe, no chance for us (Far East Asia). But I continue to hope and listen band :) 73! Eugene, RA0FF http://wwwq.qsl.net/ra0ff / https://twitter.com/ra0ff/ >Пятница, 8 ноября 2019, 21:50 +11:00 от k1zm--- via Topband >: > >08 Nov 2019 > > >Hi Gang >Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three >ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made >with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. >Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE >2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much >needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been >stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them >get ZONE 2 for #40. >So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: >QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 >Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have >worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for >the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) >We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only >possible way to complete contacts to JA. >It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: >JF8QNF >JA8EAT >JA7NI >JA1BK >JA8WKE >JA3FYC >We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by >these other JA stations: >JH7PFD (two decodes) >JE6KYA (one decode) >JA1EOD (several decodes). >Epilogue: >We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these >JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). >Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m >for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know >about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after >checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve >said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could do digital. YES! >was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes later. >After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - within >minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - including >VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. >So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at the >same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The A/K were >lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we worked the >first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning JA8WKE and >JA3FYC. >One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - so >this works out to about 400km per JA qso. >KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had some >limited success in doing so. >We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank Donovan >(W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their input and >suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! >73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM >Email: k...@aol.com >_ >Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
HI Jeff and Miriam, Great effort and wonderful results making a lot of people happy by your family project. You have made our family happy this Summer by giving us a new country on 6 meters - Canada! Keep up the good work. We enjoyed reading your 160m book. Best wishes from our ham radio family. 73/88 Vic US5WE, Helen UR5WA >Пятница, 8 ноября 2019, 10:51 UTC от k1zm--- via Topband < >topband@contesting.com >: > >08 Nov 2019 > > >Hi Gang >Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three >ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made >with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. >Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE >2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much >needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been >stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them >get ZONE 2 for #40. >So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: >QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 >Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have >worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for >the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) >We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only >possible way to complete contacts to JA. >It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: >JF8QNF >JA8EAT >JA7NI >JA1BK >JA8WKE >JA3FYC >We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by >these other JA stations: >JH7PFD (two decodes) >JE6KYA (one decode) >JA1EOD (several decodes). >Epilogue: >We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these >JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). >Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m >for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know >about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after >checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve >said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could do digital. YES! >was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes later. >After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - within >minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - including >VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. >So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at the >same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The A/K were >lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we worked the >first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning JA8WKE and >JA3FYC. >One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - so >this works out to about 400km per JA qso. >KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had some >limited success in doing so. >We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank Donovan >(W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their input and >suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! >73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM >Email: k...@aol.com >_ >Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector -- 73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, ex UB5WE), P.E. UARL Technical and VHF Committies DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone), 10BDXCC, 8BWAS DXCC card checker (160 meters). -- -- 73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, ex UB5WE), P.E. UARL Technical and VHF Committies DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone), 10BDXCC, 8BWAS DXCC card checker (160 meters). _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
G'day As Mike VE9AA has indicated there have been several excellent Zone 2 operations in the past from the Point Amour lighthouse in Cape where the operators have had a good 160m setup. Unfortunately despite the operating teams kindly making skeds with me, we've had no success. Mike VK6HD SK also tried skeds with temporary well-equipped stations operating from Labrador on 160m without success. After many years of both of us chasing Zone 2, Mike finally managed a QSO with a temporary VE2 (during a CQ 160 CW contest, I think?) station operating just inside the Zone 2 boundary in Quebec. There is a nice little overlap between sunset here and sunrise in VO2 at this time of the year (now VO2 sunrise is at 1128Z, whereas VK6 Perth sunset is at 1054Z) but despite this my attempts in the past during/around the CQ WW CW have still been negative. Maybe it has just been conditions, but it is certainly seems a harder path to Z2 Labrador than Z2 Quebec. All that being said, I'd love to try a sked again on 160m with a VO2 station prior to the CQ WW CW. Dave VE9CB (of VO2AC) and I are good mates so maybe this is possible one day. Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ On 10/11/2019 1:00 am, topband-requ...@contesting.com wrote: WRT to Steve's comments, I am*very* surprised that few VK's have worked Zone 2. In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere) In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere) Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
This discussion should be re-directed to the ARRL and the Awards committee. Otherwise it will detract from our universal Love-working DX with a burning Coax and a Smile in our filaments. …Or Transistors….or Remote switching arrangements….or Virtual Reality headsets…whatever floats your boat. I agree w/ Tree. Val N4RJ Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10 From: Topband on behalf of Tree Sent: Saturday, November 9, 2019 1:42:25 PM To: Doug Renwick Cc: 160 Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week Guys - we seem to have spiraled once again into a debate about the validity of FT8 QSOs. PLEASE STOP... or moderation will commence. Thanks. The Management On Sat, Nov 9, 2019 at 9:41 AM Doug Renwick wrote: > To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline. > Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is > where we are today." > > Doug > > "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its > limits." > Albert Einstein > > -Original Message- > > I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not > consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. > Doug > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Hey – I’m still concerned about the validity of RTTY, SSTV, and SSB since they’re not REAL radio !!! hihij -ny2ny _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Guys - we seem to have spiraled once again into a debate about the validity of FT8 QSOs. PLEASE STOP... or moderation will commence. Thanks. The Management On Sat, Nov 9, 2019 at 9:41 AM Doug Renwick wrote: > To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline. > Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is > where we are today." > > Doug > > "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its > limits." > Albert Einstein > > -Original Message- > > I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not > consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. > Doug > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Jeff and Miriam Thanks for the report on your Zone 2 activity. I am so happy to see you were successful in working the JA stations. I am particularly pleased to see Kuni JA7NI made it into your log. I met him and Kaz JA8ISU et al at a luncheon at JE1ZST contest club station in 2012.Those you worked must be so pleased to finally have completed 5BWAZ. I totally support the successes we are seeing with FT8 on the low bands and I enjoy using the mode on 160 and 80/40 daily. I would certainly be interested in hearing a bit about the antennas that you used. Maybe we can learn something for our upcoming contest trip back to Point Amour. Congratulations on the success!! 73 Frank VO1HP VO1HP/VO2 -- Sent from Gmail Mobile _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
I fully concur!! 73, John, W4NU K4JAG, 1959 to 1998 Sent from my iPhone > On Nov 9, 2019, at 12:42 PM, Doug Renwick wrote: > > To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline. > Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is > where we are today." > > Doug > > "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." > Albert Einstein > > -Original Message- > > I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not > consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. > Doug > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline. Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is where we are today." Doug "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein -Original Message- I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. Doug _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Well, after nearly 19 years of QRV in ZL, Miriam gave me my first ever zone 02 contact. Thanks Miriam and Jeff! I would imagine that, because of the increased distance from VK, zone 02 would be even more difficult to work from there than from ZL. 73, Greg, ZL3IX WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked Zone 2. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Since you cc'd me to your Topband Reflector comments Michael/VA3MW, are you inferring I am "thankless"? ( nor did I say anything about Jeff's operation other than positive comments ) If you just hit "reply-all" and I got copied accidently, then all is good; pse disregard this query. Mike VE9AA Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB -Original Message- From: Michael Walker [mailto:va...@portcredit.net] Sent: November 9, 2019 11:39 AM To: Mike Smith VE9AA Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week Regardless of what the others say and who are thankless... For those that committed time, vacation and certainly lots of personal CASH, I thank the entire team. Your contributions to the hobby are certainly appreciated. Mike va3mw > On Nov 9, 2019, at 9:44 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: > > WTG Jeff and Miriam ! > > > > I am always wanting to go to Zone 2 for some contest, but time, money and > work/home commitments thus far have prevented it. > > > > WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked > Zone 2. > > In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest > expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional > antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere) > > > > I know that Yuri VE3DZ goes there into the QC side of Zone 2 nearly every > year as VE2IM (sometimes twice a year) > > usually for CQWW and other contests..but I *think*.(I stand to be > corrected), he uses a relatively low Inverted L for TopBand,.he's always > loud here but I am <1000kms away, so can't judge what he might sound like on > the other side of the planet. > > > > There are usually a smattering of other VE2/VE3 ops that go to VE2(Zone 2) > contest operations from time to time and an occasional one from the > Clubhouse in Lab city by Americans, VO1MP and others. All in all it's not > rare, but evidently nobody is concentrating on 160 (except VO2AAA/VO2AC) to > work Asia/Pacific I guess. > > > > I am pleased to know at least a few very distant DX stns were able to do it > with my 'neighbours' over there on PEI... > > > > I only operate CW/SSB and a sprinkling of RTTY, so won't make any comments > about the FT-modes lest I get myself in trouble.hi hi ;-) > > > > Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc. > > > > In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining > zones > > I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope > you > > and Jeff will go back one day. ;-) > > > > I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - > > which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work > into > > this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every > > DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one > - > > which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep > was > > heard from here. > > > > I should add that I am a CW operator. > > > > In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have > > appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the > world > > and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions. > > > > I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ, > > > Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has > become > > unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf. > > > > Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming > CQ > > WW CW or the CQ 160 CW. > > > > It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter > > > Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the > > > Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination > for > > some topbander. ;-) > > > > Vy 73 > > > > Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF) > > > > Mike, Coreen & Corey > > Keswick Ridge, NB > > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Regardless of what the others say and who are thankless... For those that committed time, vacation and certainly lots of personal CASH, I thank the entire team. Your contributions to the hobby are certainly appreciated. Mike va3mw > On Nov 9, 2019, at 9:44 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: > > WTG Jeff and Miriam ! > > > > I am always wanting to go to Zone 2 for some contest, but time, money and > work/home commitments thus far have prevented it. > > > > WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked > Zone 2. > > In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest > expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional > antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere) > > > > I know that Yuri VE3DZ goes there into the QC side of Zone 2 nearly every > year as VE2IM (sometimes twice a year) > > usually for CQWW and other contests..but I *think*.(I stand to be > corrected), he uses a relatively low Inverted L for TopBand,.he's always > loud here but I am <1000kms away, so can't judge what he might sound like on > the other side of the planet. > > > > There are usually a smattering of other VE2/VE3 ops that go to VE2(Zone 2) > contest operations from time to time and an occasional one from the > Clubhouse in Lab city by Americans, VO1MP and others. All in all it's not > rare, but evidently nobody is concentrating on 160 (except VO2AAA/VO2AC) to > work Asia/Pacific I guess. > > > > I am pleased to know at least a few very distant DX stns were able to do it > with my 'neighbours' over there on PEI... > > > > I only operate CW/SSB and a sprinkling of RTTY, so won't make any comments > about the FT-modes lest I get myself in trouble.hi hi ;-) > > > > Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc. > > > > In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining > zones > > I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope > you > > and Jeff will go back one day. ;-) > > > > I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - > > which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work > into > > this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every > > DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one > - > > which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep > was > > heard from here. > > > > I should add that I am a CW operator. > > > > In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have > > appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the > world > > and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions. > > > > I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ, > > > Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has > become > > unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf. > > > > Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming > CQ > > WW CW or the CQ 160 CW. > > > > It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter > > > Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the > > > Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination > for > > some topbander. ;-) > > > > Vy 73 > > > > Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF) > > > > Mike, Coreen & Corey > > Keswick Ridge, NB > > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
WTG Jeff and Miriam ! I am always wanting to go to Zone 2 for some contest, but time, money and work/home commitments thus far have prevented it. WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked Zone 2. In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere) I know that Yuri VE3DZ goes there into the QC side of Zone 2 nearly every year as VE2IM (sometimes twice a year) usually for CQWW and other contests..but I *think*.(I stand to be corrected), he uses a relatively low Inverted L for TopBand,.he's always loud here but I am <1000kms away, so can't judge what he might sound like on the other side of the planet. There are usually a smattering of other VE2/VE3 ops that go to VE2(Zone 2) contest operations from time to time and an occasional one from the Clubhouse in Lab city by Americans, VO1MP and others. All in all it's not rare, but evidently nobody is concentrating on 160 (except VO2AAA/VO2AC) to work Asia/Pacific I guess. I am pleased to know at least a few very distant DX stns were able to do it with my 'neighbours' over there on PEI... I only operate CW/SSB and a sprinkling of RTTY, so won't make any comments about the FT-modes lest I get myself in trouble.hi hi ;-) Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc. In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining zones I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope you and Jeff will go back one day. ;-) I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work into this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one - which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep was heard from here. I should add that I am a CW operator. In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the world and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions. I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ, Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has become unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf. Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming CQ WW CW or the CQ 160 CW. It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination for some topbander. ;-) Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF) Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Jeff, Please ignore the negative comments. FT8 is perfectly good. CW would have been harder but "better"! (i.e. more valued by the old-timers.) But with FT8 you've made more people happy! 73, George, AA7JV On Fri, 8 Nov 2019 10:11:29 -0600 "Doug Renwick" wrote: I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. Doug "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein -Original Message- 08 Nov 2019 Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only possible way to complete contacts to JA. It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: JF8QNF JA8EAT JA7NI JA1BK JA8WKE JA3FYC We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by these other JA stations: JH7PFD (two decodes) JE6KYA (one decode) JA1EOD (several decodes). Epilogue: We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could do digital. YES! was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes later. After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - within minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - including VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at the same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The A/K were lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we worked the first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning JA8WKE and JA3FYC. One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - so this works out to about 400km per JA qso. KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had some limited success in doing so. We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank Donovan (W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their input and suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! 73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM Email: k...@aol.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Hi Miriam (and Jeff) Congratulations on your mini-DXpedition to Zone 2 - and it is good to see someone is thinking of us in the Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area. In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining zones I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope you and Jeff will go back one day. ;-) I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work into this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one - which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep was heard from here. I should add that I am a CW operator. In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the world and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions. I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ, Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has become unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf. Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming CQ WW CW or the CQ 160 CW. It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination for some topbander. ;-) Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF) Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2.? Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers.? Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only possible way to complete contacts to JA. It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
Doug, and many of us who over time , have learned to ignore your useless comments. Glenn VA3DX - Original Message - From: "Doug Renwick" To: ; Sent: Friday, November 08, 2019 11:11 AM Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. Doug "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein -Original Message- 08 Nov 2019 Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only possible way to complete contacts to JA. It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: JF8QNF JA8EAT JA7NI JA1BK JA8WKE JA3FYC We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by these other JA stations: JH7PFD (two decodes) JE6KYA (one decode) JA1EOD (several decodes). Epilogue: We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could do digital. YES! was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes later. After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - within minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - including VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at the same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The A/K were lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we worked the first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning JA8WKE and JA3FYC. One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - so this works out to about 400km per JA qso. KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had some limited success in doing so. We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank Donovan (W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their input and suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! 73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM Email: k...@aol.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
To K1ZM and group – GREAT WORK GUYS !! Using the latest technology to do what could not have been done before is what Ham Radio has ALWAYS been about ...don’t let the old computer-challenged curmudgeons bother you at all. 73 Jay NY2NY _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO. Doug "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein -Original Message- 08 Nov 2019 Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only possible way to complete contacts to JA. It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: JF8QNF JA8EAT JA7NI JA1BK JA8WKE JA3FYC We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by these other JA stations: JH7PFD (two decodes) JE6KYA (one decode) JA1EOD (several decodes). Epilogue: We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could do digital. YES! was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes later. After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - within minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - including VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at the same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The A/K were lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we worked the first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning JA8WKE and JA3FYC. One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - so this works out to about 400km per JA qso. KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had some limited success in doing so. We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank Donovan (W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their input and suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! 73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM Email: k...@aol.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week
08 Nov 2019 Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2. Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had ever managed a qso with ZONE 2 on Topband and that was JA7HMZ about 35 years ago - so this zone was much needed by most 160m JA dx'ers. Quite of few of our 160m JA friends have been stuck at 39 zones on 160m for many years - so this was our chance to help them get ZONE 2 for #40. So without too much bandwidth - here is our report: QRV 31 October to 04 November 2019 Roughly 350 stations worked on Topband - in 42 DXCC countries (we could have worked more but we took lots of time off in order to sleep and then get up for the JA window from about 0715z - 1110z.) We tried some CW but signals were very very weak and FT8 proved the only possible way to complete contacts to JA. It was pretty exciting to work these (6) JA friends: JF8QNF JA8EAT JA7NI JA1BK JA8WKE JA3FYC We decoded no other JA signals on our side- but we know we were decoded by these other JA stations: JH7PFD (two decodes) JE6KYA (one decode) JA1EOD (several decodes). Epilogue: We think that each JA qso that was made completed WAZ 40 on Topband for these JA friends. (meaning ZONE 2 was most likely their last one needed). Steve VK6IR called us on ON4KST chat saying he had been chasing ZONE 2 on 80m for 5BWAZ for 45 years and asked if we could work him on 80m. We did not know about 80m since the antenna had not been tested for that band but, after checking it with my analyst, I found it resonated at about 3778kHz. Steve said he could not do SSB there - so I asked him if he could do digital. YES! was his reply and we managed a qso on FT8 a few minutes later. After we uploaded our LOG FILE to LOTW (completed on 06 November) - within minutes there were 37 DXCC entities instantly confirmed via LOTW - including VK6IR and all (6) lucky JA friends we had worked. So we are happy we helped some of our JA friends with WAZ 40 - and, at the same time, we are a bit disappointed that we could not do more. The A/K were lousy on nights one and two - things got better on night 3 when we worked the first 4 JA's - nights 5 and 6 produced one JA qso each - meaning JA8WKE and JA3FYC. One amusing final fact - it was roughly a 2400km trip to there and back - so this works out to about 400km per JA qso. KOWABUNGA! but we had a great time trying this - and are pleased we had some limited success in doing so. We wish to mention our special thanks to Don Toman (K2KQ) and to Frank Donovan (W3LPL) for their kind assistance with our antenna planning. Their input and suggestions were invaluable in making this happen! 73/88 de Miriam (VY2NA) and Jeff VY2ZM Email: k...@aol.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
