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

[dj7ww]

I think most skimmers on the RBN are wide band skimmers on small antennas.
As web sdr receivers they only hear the stronger signals.

73
Peter

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+dj7ww=t-online...@contesting.com] On
Behalf Of VE6WZ_Steve
Sent: Mittwoch, 18. März 2020 23:43
To: Richard (Rick) Karlquist
Cc: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ


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

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

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

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

ALL EU being spotted by NA skimmers:
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=3896
<http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=3896>
This one is handy when I CQ…only VE DX being spotted only by EU:
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=81972
<http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=81972>
OR are any VE CQs being copied in EU on 160:
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=14728
<http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=14728>
(You can also show up to 100 spots to give more history….drop down window at
right)

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


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

[VE6WZ_Steve]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


_
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Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

[Roger Kennedy]

I couldn't agree more Steve . . .

That has been the whole idea of my suggesting Wednesday for a CW DX night on
160m, to at least get everyone on the band on the same evening (rather than
a few people spread out on different nights).

It seemed to work LAST season . . . I would often work over 30 NA stations .
. . but there has been far less activity this winter.

In fact my experience has been that there are often EU stations calling CQ
DX, but very few NA stations on (which is surprising, as I believe there are
far more stations in NA that put out a decent signal on Top Band!)

Conditions were really good over the weekend, so maybe we'll get some
activity tonight . . . 

73 Roger G3YRO


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

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 3/17/2020 4:15 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:


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



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

Rick N6RK
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Re: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

[pa5mw--- via Topband]

Correct on the CQ CQ !

As of last weekend I am running a 160m CW skimmer feed to the RBN and notice:


- ratio between correct heard callsigns vs those sent to the RBN server is 
roughly 5 :1 (excluding calls from a pile-up)

- only those callsigns with CQ CQ in their message are forwarded to RBN network 
(Duh)


 73
Mark PA5MW



-Original Message-
From: Topband  On Behalf Of 
VE6WZ_Steve
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 0:15 AM
To: topband 
Subject: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


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

[Richard McLachlan]

Well said Steve. I certainly try to do that on a daily basis.

Richard
G3OQT

> On 17 Mar 2020, at 23:15, VE6WZ_Steve  wrote:
> 
> With many hams around the world staying home and "practicing social 
> distancing” to “flatten the CV-19 curve”, what a great time to be on the 
> radio!
> 
> Lets get out there and call CQ to stir up the band. (or ANY band for that 
> matter)
> 
> There may be some out there that somehow think calling CQ is just for the 
> rare DX, and not for the average ham.  I know there are many that have no 
> interest in woking just “plain old DX” that aren't new DXCC counters.  I also 
> realize there are many that live in high noise city locations that have a 
> legitimate “alligator risk” by calling CQ.
> However, to state the obvious, if no one calls CQ, no one is going to work 
> anyone!  The conclusion will be “the band is dead”.
> 
> Speaking of another benefit of RBN…..one comment…..”if I look at my waterfall 
> and don't see any traces, then the band is dead”. Well….often NOT true.  It 
> is not unusual to see a blank pan-adapter, but then when checking the RBN 
> there is NO-ONE calling CQ….anywhere in the world!  Is the band really dead?? 
> How do we know it's dead if no one is calling? (And yes, there are enough RBN 
> skimmers worldwide that almost any CQ will be decoded within a few seconds)  
> Many nights I have CQ'd into a “dead band” (blank pan-adapter, but also no 
> RBN activity) and been rewarded with lots of EU DX callers.
> 
> There are a number of NA stalwarts calling CQ regularly on TB and a handful 
> from EU, VK and JA, but it would be great to see more activity. (last night I 
> heard Jon AA1K filling his log with EU). This winter I have worked quite a 
> few EU that have been running 100w from backyard antennas so it's not limited 
> to the big guns.
> 
> For those that lament that everyone is on FT-8, perhaps it would be a good 
> idea to get on the band and make some CW noise instead of waiting for some 
> else to call CQ???  Thats what the FT-8 guys are doing…they hit the send key 
> on the FT-8 program and wait to see what happens.  There is a lot of FT-8 
> CQing going on…every 15 seconds, for hours.  Maybe thats why it seems there 
> is more DX being worked on that mode?  This season I have logged 1,587 EU 
> QSOs on CW with 498 unique callsigns, so CQing can be rewarding. 113 DXCC 
> since August. This has been one of the best TB seasons here at VE6WZ.  The 
> season is not over yet.
> 
> While stuck at home, turn on the radio and call CQ….on ANY band.  See what 
> happens.  Kinda like “old school” radio…using the “legacy" mode.
> CQ..CQ…CQ…..
> Why not?
> 
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> 
> 
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Re: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

[lennart.michaelsson]

Hi Steve and all,
Well, I  got on 160 around 0300 local while still dark outside, listened and 
called CQ DX. Only one more guy QRV - OM12XW. 
Nothing - nada.

Maybe tmw?

Greetings
Len SM7BIC

-Ursprungligt meddelande-
Från: Topband  
För VE6WZ_Steve
Skickat: den 18 mars 2020 00:15
Till: topband 
Ämne: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


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

[Carl Mannle]

Yes, lets do it, Carl, N6TVN.

On 3/17/20 4:15 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


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

[Hugh Valentine]

Great Idea!!!
Keeps Ham O Holics Alive

Val

Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10


From: Topband  on behalf of 
VE6WZ_Steve 
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 7:15:02 PM
To: topband 
Subject: Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


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Topband: CQ...CQ...CQ

[VE6WZ_Steve]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73, de steve ve6wz


_
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