Re: Topband: CW160

[Eric NO3M]

This past morning, loudest I've ever heard Jim's QRP on 160 that I can 
recall.  Easy ragchew level.


73 Eric NO3M

On 01/30/2016 01:29 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

On Sat,1/30/2016 9:40 AM, David Raymond wrote:
Condx to JA from here in Iowa this morning were quite good 


Yes, it was a good night. Dave, W0FLS and Toni, N0NI, are two guys who 
pulled my QRP signal out. Thanks also to W5MX and someone signing a 
club call in Gulfport, MS who heard me and gave me KY and MS. Two 
states down, four to go. Still need VT, CT, WV, and SC. I parked on 
K8JQ hoping for a sunrise peak, but it didn't happen.


C6AGU (AA7JV) was loud here around his sunrise, but we didn't make it. 
HK1R was loud much of the evening, but no Q. K4UEE was also loud from 
GA, perhaps testing antennas for his next trip. He also pulled me out.


I may have goofed by taking a nap -- that peak when Gary worked CA 
probably happened then.


73, Jim K9YC


_
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Re: Topband: CW160 Speaking of QRP...And spotlighting...

[Jim F. via Topband]

Had gum surgery on Friday and was tired but managed to get on the air QRP for a 
few hours Saturdaybut could not work many stations from my S4 noise condo Inv. 
L with a poor radial system. Enjoyed working KA1J who was also QRP and a nice 
surprise was C6AGU who briefly was ~S8 
calling CQ with no takers and responded on the first call and believe it was 
"spotlighting" , an effect 
discussed before on this list. PJ2T, KV4FZ, KP4J, and a 4V Haiti station were 
weak and could not hear my calls.  
N0NI in IA was the furthest station west and must have great receiving antennas.
 Thanks to all who picked my 5 watt signal out of the din !
73,
Jim  - W1FMR   NH

 

  From: Jim Brown 
 To: topband@contesting.com 
 Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2016 2:36 PM
 Subject: Re: Topband: CW160
  
On Sun,1/31/2016 11:12 AM, Eric NO3M wrote:
> This past morning, loudest I've ever heard Jim's QRP on 160 that I can 
> recall.  Easy ragchew level.

Thanks for the report, Eric. Other than our QSO, the propagation gods 
were not smiling -- I was shut out last night east of AR, where WD5R 
heard me.

Thanks to AA4V tried to hear me, but didn't.

73, Jim K9YC
_
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Mike - W5JR]

It was a great sig into me this morning at KH6RS. 

tnx
Mike / W5JR
Alpharetta GA

> On Jan 31, 2016, at 9:36 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
>> On Sun,1/31/2016 11:12 AM, Eric NO3M wrote:
>> This past morning, loudest I've ever heard Jim's QRP on 160 that I can 
>> recall.  Easy ragchew level.
> 
> Thanks for the report, Eric. Other than our QSO, the propagation gods were 
> not smiling -- I was shut out last night east of AR, where WD5R heard me.
> 
> Thanks to AA4V tried to hear me, but didn't.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Jim Brown]

On Sun,1/31/2016 11:12 AM, Eric NO3M wrote:
This past morning, loudest I've ever heard Jim's QRP on 160 that I can 
recall.  Easy ragchew level.


Thanks for the report, Eric. Other than our QSO, the propagation gods 
were not smiling -- I was shut out last night east of AR, where WD5R 
heard me.


Thanks to AA4V tried to hear me, but didn't.

73, Jim K9YC
_
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Jim Brown]

That's it!  Many thanks.

73, Jim

On Sat,1/30/2016 5:45 PM, chacuff wrote:

Probably our club station in Gulfport... K5GDX.   We operate field day style... 
Generator power and all.   RX 4 Sq,  550 beverage to Europe added this year.  
1/4 wave vertical under a balloon over our radial field. Lots of funbut off 
the air tonight. Strong winds this afternoon took the balloon (trees) and we 
didn't have enough helium remaining in the bottle to fill our backup balloon. 
If so,  glad we could give you MS Jim.


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Re: Topband: CW160

[chacuff]

Probably our club station in Gulfport... K5GDX.   We operate field day style... 
Generator power and all.   RX 4 Sq,  550 beverage to Europe added this year.  
1/4 wave vertical under a balloon over our radial field. Lots of funbut off 
the air tonight. Strong winds this afternoon took the balloon (trees) and we 
didn't have enough helium remaining in the bottle to fill our backup balloon. 
If so,  glad we could give you MS Jim. 
CecilK5DL



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

 Original message 
From: Jim Brown  
Date: 01/30/2016  12:29 PM  (GMT-06:00) 
To: topband@contesting.com 
Subject: Re: Topband: CW160 

On Sat,1/30/2016 9:40 AM, David Raymond wrote:
> Condx to JA from here in Iowa this morning were quite good 

Yes, it was a good night. Dave, W0FLS and Toni, N0NI, are two guys who 
pulled my QRP signal out. Thanks also to W5MX and someone signing a club 
call in Gulfport, MS who heard me and gave me KY and MS. Two states 
down, four to go. Still need VT, CT, WV, and SC. I parked on K8JQ hoping 
for a sunrise peak, but it didn't happen.

C6AGU (AA7JV) was loud here around his sunrise, but we didn't make it. 
HK1R was loud much of the evening, but no Q. K4UEE was also loud from 
GA, perhaps testing antennas for his next trip. He also pulled me out.

I may have goofed by taking a nap -- that peak when Gary worked CA 
probably happened then.

73, Jim K9YC
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
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Re: Topband: CW160

[ALEXEY OGORODOV]

 Hi guys,

Conditions are not bad. I'm running about 80-90 watts to my TL 23 meter 
Vertical with 40 radials. No RX to speak of if a 80M Inv L with 2 radials 
counts.
So far 180 q's, some EU. No condx to the West. NA coming spotlightly - one 
moment EC in a short while MW. West Coast have been scarce this year.
Highlights: 4V1TL, CR2X, UA4M, UW2M, RW7M, EW1A, RV1CC, several SP, 9A1P...

I'm mostly running. When no callers, then I go search and pound. No assistance. 
90% of stations called are logged. Due to my poor RX I miss some good hundred 
Qs.

Good luck,

Alex
HC2AO
EI97NT


>Суббота, 30 января 2016, 16:52 -05:00 от Bill Hider :
>
>Totally different experience here.  Condx were fabulous.  At the half way 
>point, I have 71 DX stns wkd (non US &  non VE), 42 DX countries.  EU stns 
>were everywhere and stayed in for several hours.  But, so far, nothing wkd 
>further west than KH6.
>
>Looking forward to tonight, now starting right now.
>
>Bill N3RROn Jan 30, 2016 4:28 PM, Tim Shoppa < tsho...@gmail.com > wrote:
>>
>> I felt conditions were "OK" to various parts of Europe throughout the 
>> night. Yes, things would seem good to one location or another for a few 
>> minutes, then just evaporate. 
>>
>> That station from Haiti 4V1TL had huge huge signal probably louder than any 
>> Florida guy I heard. 
>>
>> A "new band greenie for me" on 160M was ER4A. 
>>
>> CW5W had a nice signal but had a hard time hearing - never got further than 
>> "N3?" with me - and he was often near or under "other DX" (including 4V1TL 
>> who had a kc cop who was trying to stop me from working CW5W). 
>>
>> Tim N3QE 
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:25 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV < k2av@gmail.com > 
>> wrote: 
>>
>> > I felt like the SE US was under a propagation blanket. A look at RBN, NA 
>> > spotted by EU nodes made us notable by our absence, K3ZM the notable 
>> > exception of course. EU would pop in for a few minutes and then go away. 
>> > No 
>> > clue as to the prop mechanics doing that. The on again off again 
>> > propagation blanket no help copying QRP either. 
>> > 
>> > 73, Guy K2AV 
>> > 
>> > On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Jim Brown < j...@audiosystemsgroup.com > 
>> > wrote: 
>> > 
>> > > On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: 
>> > > 
>> > >> But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what 
>> > >> the 
>> > >> dB realities are. 
>> > >> 
>> > > 
>> > > Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called 
>> > > you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half 
>> > > dozen NC stations, none of them very loud). 
>> > > 
>> > > 73, Jim K9YC 
>> > > _ 
>> > > Topband Reflector Archives -  http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>> > > 
>> > 
>> > 
>> > -- 
>> > Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone 
>> > _ 
>> > Topband Reflector Archives -  http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>> > 
>> _ 
>> Topband Reflector Archives -  http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>_
>Topband Reflector Archives -  http://www.contesting.com/_topband

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Re: Topband: CW160

[Jeff Kincaid]

Hi Jim,
Even I heard you once, from the deepest darkest Los Angeles.  About 0825 you 
were calling someone I couldn't hear while you were Q5.  It gave me a bit of a 
thrill knowing you were QRP, and was a good indication that I'm hearing better 
(though still poorly) this year.
Jeff W6JK
 

On Saturday, January 30, 2016 6:29 PM, Jim Brown 
 wrote:
 

 On Sat,1/30/2016 9:40 AM, David Raymond wrote:
> Condx to JA from here in Iowa this morning were quite good 

Yes, it was a good night. Dave, W0FLS and Toni, N0NI, are two guys who 
pulled my QRP signal out. Thanks also to W5MX and someone signing a club 
call in Gulfport, MS who heard me and gave me KY and MS. Two states 
down, four to go. Still need VT, CT, WV, and SC. I parked on K8JQ hoping 
for a sunrise peak, but it didn't happen.

C6AGU (AA7JV) was loud here around his sunrise, but we didn't make it. 
HK1R was loud much of the evening, but no Q. K4UEE was also loud from 
GA, perhaps testing antennas for his next trip. He also pulled me out.

I may have goofed by taking a nap -- that peak when Gary worked CA 
probably happened then.

73, Jim K9YC
_
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_
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Tom Haavisto]

One small request would be to NOT mention callsigns - at least during the 5
day "waiting period" for log submissions to be completed.

Some folks may not be running assisted, may bust the odd call or two, or
whatever.  No point in giving out corrected callsigns at this point.

Thanks

Tom - VE3CX


This
email has been sent from a virus-free computer protected by Avast.
www.avast.com

<#DDB4FAA8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 4:28 PM, Tim Shoppa  wrote:

> I felt conditions were "OK" to various parts of Europe throughout the
> night. Yes, things would seem good to one location or another for a few
> minutes, then just evaporate.
>
> That station from Haiti 4V1TL had huge huge signal probably louder than any
> Florida guy I heard.
>
> A "new band greenie for me" on 160M was ER4A.
>
> CW5W had a nice signal but had a hard time hearing - never got further than
> "N3?" with me - and he was often near or under "other DX" (including 4V1TL
> who had a kc cop who was trying to stop me from working CW5W).
>
> Tim N3QE
>
> On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:25 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV 
> wrote:
>
> > I felt like the SE US was under a propagation blanket. A look at RBN, NA
> > spotted by EU nodes made us notable by our absence, K3ZM the notable
> > exception of course. EU would pop in for a few minutes and then go away.
> No
> > clue as to the prop mechanics doing that. The on again off again
> > propagation blanket no help copying QRP either.
> >
> > 73, Guy K2AV
> >
> > On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Jim Brown 
> > wrote:
> >
> > > On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> > >
> > >> But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and
> what
> > >> the
> > >> dB realities are.
> > >>
> > >
> > > Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called
> > > you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half
> > > dozen NC stations, none of them very loud).
> > >
> > > 73, Jim K9YC
> > > _
> > > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Bill Hider]

Totally different experience here.  Condx were fabulous.  At the half way 
point, I have 71 DX stns wkd (non US &  non VE), 42 DX countries.  EU stns were 
everywhere and stayed in for several hours.  But, so far, nothing wkd further 
west than KH6.

Looking forward to tonight, now starting right now.

Bill N3RROn Jan 30, 2016 4:28 PM, Tim Shoppa  wrote:
>
> I felt conditions were "OK" to various parts of Europe throughout the 
> night. Yes, things would seem good to one location or another for a few 
> minutes, then just evaporate. 
>
> That station from Haiti 4V1TL had huge huge signal probably louder than any 
> Florida guy I heard. 
>
> A "new band greenie for me" on 160M was ER4A. 
>
> CW5W had a nice signal but had a hard time hearing - never got further than 
> "N3?" with me - and he was often near or under "other DX" (including 4V1TL 
> who had a kc cop who was trying to stop me from working CW5W). 
>
> Tim N3QE 
>
> On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:25 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV  
> wrote: 
>
> > I felt like the SE US was under a propagation blanket. A look at RBN, NA 
> > spotted by EU nodes made us notable by our absence, K3ZM the notable 
> > exception of course. EU would pop in for a few minutes and then go away. No 
> > clue as to the prop mechanics doing that. The on again off again 
> > propagation blanket no help copying QRP either. 
> > 
> > 73, Guy K2AV 
> > 
> > On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Jim Brown  
> > wrote: 
> > 
> > > On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: 
> > > 
> > >> But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what 
> > >> the 
> > >> dB realities are. 
> > >> 
> > > 
> > > Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called 
> > > you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half 
> > > dozen NC stations, none of them very loud). 
> > > 
> > > 73, Jim K9YC 
> > > _ 
> > > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone 
> > _ 
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
> > 
> _ 
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Tim Shoppa]

I felt conditions were "OK" to various parts of Europe throughout the
night. Yes, things would seem good to one location or another for a few
minutes, then just evaporate.

That station from Haiti 4V1TL had huge huge signal probably louder than any
Florida guy I heard.

A "new band greenie for me" on 160M was ER4A.

CW5W had a nice signal but had a hard time hearing - never got further than
"N3?" with me - and he was often near or under "other DX" (including 4V1TL
who had a kc cop who was trying to stop me from working CW5W).

Tim N3QE

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 3:25 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV 
wrote:

> I felt like the SE US was under a propagation blanket. A look at RBN, NA
> spotted by EU nodes made us notable by our absence, K3ZM the notable
> exception of course. EU would pop in for a few minutes and then go away. No
> clue as to the prop mechanics doing that. The on again off again
> propagation blanket no help copying QRP either.
>
> 73, Guy K2AV
>
> On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Jim Brown 
> wrote:
>
> > On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> >
> >> But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what
> >> the
> >> dB realities are.
> >>
> >
> > Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called
> > you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half
> > dozen NC stations, none of them very loud).
> >
> > 73, Jim K9YC
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >
>
>
> --
> Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Barry N1EU]

I'm not sure your propagation blanket didn't extend a bit further north  ;-)

73, Barry N1EU

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 8:25 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV 
wrote:

> I felt like the SE US was under a propagation blanket. A look at RBN, NA
> spotted by EU nodes made us notable by our absence, K3ZM the notable
> exception of course. EU would pop in for a few minutes and then go away. No
> clue as to the prop mechanics doing that. The on again off again
> propagation blanket no help copying QRP either.
>
> 73, Guy K2AV
>
> On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Jim Brown 
> wrote:
>
> > On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> >
> >> But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what
> >> the
> >> dB realities are.
> >>
> >
> > Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called
> > you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half
> > dozen NC stations, none of them very loud).
> >
> > 73, Jim K9YC
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >
>
>
> --
> Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Gary Smith]

I'm thinking I need to add a qualifier to 
my earlier post; in no way am I 
complaining how hard it is to work QRP on 
160 and for surer, it's harder on the 
station trying to make sense of such 
minuscule signals in the ether. I just 
noticed a certain reality and mentioned 
the experience that on the list. 

I use directional Rx antennas which knock 
out most everything from the USA if I'm 
trying to work EU, so I'd miss a QRP but 
if I were working stations from the USA, 
I'd likely hear weaker stations in that 
same direction. And when I do a run using 
the amp, I personally turn my power down 
when doing so because I don't want to be 
an alligator who is being heard everywhere 
when I can't hear that far.

For this contest I looked long and hard at 
the old Alpha sitting next to me deciding 
if I wanted to turn it on and work 
everyone I heard or do the QRP S&P and 
once again be a masochist if I tried a 
run. The dark side in me won out and QRP 
won out this time, next time I will 
probably flip the switch on & try to see 
if I can work everybody I hear.

I see its time to jump in the fray! Hope 
to work you.

73,

Gary
KA1J
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

I felt like the SE US was under a propagation blanket. A look at RBN, NA
spotted by EU nodes made us notable by our absence, K3ZM the notable
exception of course. EU would pop in for a few minutes and then go away. No
clue as to the prop mechanics doing that. The on again off again
propagation blanket no help copying QRP either.

73, Guy K2AV

On Saturday, January 30, 2016, Jim Brown  wrote:

> On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>
>> But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what
>> the
>> dB realities are.
>>
>
> Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called
> you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half
> dozen NC stations, none of them very loud).
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>


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Re: Topband: CW160

[Gary Smith]

Interesting conditions here last night. I 
heard a whole lot of DX that simply could 
not hear me. I'm running QRP and don't 
expect to work everything I hear but one 
thing for sure, the overall conditions 
were really nice. It was fun to take a 
break and listen to EU working other EU & 
SA and hear both ends of the QSO on 160.

Not sure how good the conditions were for 
everyone though, Herb & I worked but he 
was one of the very few Caribbean stations 
I was able to get a Q with. OTOH, I worked 
several California stations as well as OR 
& WA so the band was selectively open. 

An interesting experience is to hear 
stations who have one of the loudest 
signals but are unable to hear me. You 
have to figure their Rx must be difficult, 
either that or they are running power 
beyond their ability to hear. I 
encountered that quite a bit and again, 
running QRP, often my signal not going to 
be heard but when someone has such high 
signal levels here and can't hear me at 
all, they might want to cut back on their 
power or, get better a better Rx ability. 
Maybe their Rx antennas were pointed in 
another direction? 

Absolutely not pointing a finger, I just 
saw that happen so very often. I know if I 
were running more power, I'd make a whole 
lot more Qs. Conversely, if they heard 
better, they would have made a lot more 
Qs.

I'd really like to have the chance to work 
a 160 at an excellent location with and 
excellent Tx/Rx set of antennas. Wires in 
not tall trees are the best I can do and I 
have so much fun with them. However, it 
would be nice to experience competition 
with everything stacked in my favor. I'm 
sure we all feel that way. Its been years 
since I was at a super station and I'm 
ready for that experience again; that was 
back in 1986 and so long ago that they had 
just started running CT by K1EA which was 
first released the year before.

Another have at it tonight so maybe I'll 
pick up some of those stations I couldn't 
break last night?

73 & good luck,

Gary
KA1J

> Good luck to all!
> 
> 73,
> 
> Gary
> KA1J
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> 



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Re: Topband: CW160

[Jim Brown]

On Sat,1/30/2016 11:19 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what the
dB realities are.


Like Dave, you have articulated the issues pretty well. BTW -- I called 
you several times last night, but prop wasn't very good (I heard a half 
dozen NC stations, none of them very loud).


73, Jim K9YC
_
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

Hi Gary,

As preface, you are in my CQ160CW log. And lest someone have the idea that
the following is some kind of whining about QRP...

Particularly in a contest, I ENJOY trying to pull QRP stations out of the
noise, especially the ones I can manage to copy and the next guy can't.
Successfully working QRP puts points differential between me and those who
can't. I just have to make sure that doesn't cause me to lose my run
frequency.

But let's be clear headed about what QRP lays on the other end and what the
dB realities are.

For sake of argument, make the assumption that a 1.5 kW station should be
heard about as far as he can hear another 1.5k station. That would imply
similar noise levels at both ends and equivalent RX ant provisions.

Now place yourself geographically on either end of this station pair.

1500/5 = 300.  Log 300 = 2.477. 10 log ratio = 24.77 dB, call it 25 dB.

25 dB out of the noise is 10 over S9 on a lot of S meters. In a few rigs,
like the K3, the S unit display can be calibrated. K3 "S unit" leds are 5
DB. 25 dB would be 5 K3 leds. Right now my local noise on the S meter is
tickling the S6 led. S6 plus 5 leds or 25 dB is just tickling 10 over 9.
The 1.5k station would have to be a real 10 over 9 in order for the QRP
station to just be right at the noise. 95% of the contest signals answering
my CQ's last night were below 10 over 9. For the QRP station to be 5 dB out
of the noise, the 1.5k station would need to be 15 over 9.

In RBN terms, the 1.5k station would need S/N of more than 30 at a node
local to the non-QRP end.

Some things QRP stations do (some necessarily) make copy even harder. There
is the myth that correct matching equipment for contest QRP is trail-grade,
AKA teeny. Teeny tuners, with small wires and small jacks and often with
160 as a poorly engineered afterthought, will sometimes add 2 or 3 dB loss.
The big QRO tuners are needed for their lack of loss.

This is not a put-down for on-the-trail QRP signals, just a dB evaluation
of same. Someone wants to run that, fine by me, just don't get on my case
for not being able to copy. Know what you're actually putting out.

QRP stations and teeny matching equipment are sometimes all that's possible
in tight spaces, where one may have the same volume as a stack of five or
six paperback novels to place the station. KX3's and all those kinds of
things. Particularly so in family occupied RV's and similarly disadvantaged
settings.

The very short antennas and extremely sparse (therefore lossy) 160
counterpoises sometimes can have three or four dB loss (and more) compared
to a well-counterpoised full size antenna.

That and the teeny tuner get us up to the 1.5k station needing to be 20
over 9 for QRP 5 dB out of the noise.

That certainly is my experience for much of QRP on 160.

I have an email somewhere from a QRP station that was using a coiled
antenna stapled to the basement ceiling, which was bare floor joists. He
made something like a dozen contacts in a contest, myself being one. I'm
not sure my ears are good enough for that any more.

73, Guy K2AV
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Re: Topband: CW160

[David Raymond]

We are often forced to run with fairly narrow bandwidths (I had to run last 
night with 250 Hz) with stations sometimes being spaced out only 300 or 400 
Hz.  I had several occasions last night when someone was calling me 300 Hz 
or more off frequency. . .so far off they were almost zero beat to the guy 
above or below me.  You don't have to be dead on zero beat to call, but you 
need to be relatively close (not 400 Hz).   73. . . Dave, W0FLS
- Original Message - 
From: "Don Kirk" 

To: 
Cc: "topband" 
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:10 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: CW160



Hi Gary,

I previously was amazed at some loud stations (like 20 or 30 dB over S9)
that could not hear my 100 watt station, and I thought it was due to the
fact that they were using directional RX antennas, but I finally stumbled
upon the issue that was most often the cause of my problem, and it was the
fact that they were using very narrow RX filters compared with my internal
500 Hz crystal filter and my method of tuning by ear was not adequate to
put me in their passband.  I realized that I would have to keep adjusting
my TX frequency in very small increments until I wound up in their 
passband

(I'm running a 35 year old rig with no quick method of zero beating).

Finally in Aug 2014 I built the Hi-Per Mite active audio filter that has a
-6 dB bandwidth of approximately 205 Hz, and this automatically fixed my
problem.  The Hi-Per Mite active audio filter also has a very nice single
peak response whereas my internal 500 hertz crystal filter has a double
hump response which introduced a lot of variation in my tuning process.

Stations running very narrow filters may not be related at all to your
issue, but thought I should mention this phenomena for folks that it does
impact.

73,
Don (wd8dsb)



On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM, Gary Smith  wrote:


Interesting conditions here last night. I
heard a whole lot of DX that simply could
not hear me. I'm running QRP and don't
expect to work everything I hear but one
thing for sure, the overall conditions
were really nice. It was fun to take a
break and listen to EU working other EU &
SA and hear both ends of the QSO on 160.

Not sure how good the conditions were for
everyone though, Herb & I worked but he
was one of the very few Caribbean stations
I was able to get a Q with. OTOH, I worked
several California stations as well as OR
& WA so the band was selectively open.

An interesting experience is to hear
stations who have one of the loudest
signals but are unable to hear me. You
have to figure their Rx must be difficult,
either that or they are running power
beyond their ability to hear. I
encountered that quite a bit and again,
running QRP, often my signal not going to
be heard but when someone has such high
signal levels here and can't hear me at
all, they might want to cut back on their
power or, get better a better Rx ability.
Maybe their Rx antennas were pointed in
another direction?

Absolutely not pointing a finger, I just
saw that happen so very often. I know if I
were running more power, I'd make a whole
lot more Qs. Conversely, if they heard
better, they would have made a lot more
Qs.

I'd really like to have the chance to work
a 160 at an excellent location with and
excellent Tx/Rx set of antennas. Wires in
not tall trees are the best I can do and I
have so much fun with them. However, it
would be nice to experience competition
with everything stacked in my favor. I'm
sure we all feel that way. Its been years
since I was at a super station and I'm
ready for that experience again; that was
back in 1986 and so long ago that they had
just started running CT by K1EA which was
first released the year before.

Another have at it tonight so maybe I'll
pick up some of those stations I couldn't
break last night?

73 & good luck,

Gary
KA1J

> Good luck to all!
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>



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Re: Topband: CW160

[Gary Smith]

Dave,

I wouldn't say Surprised, more like 
curious. 

Obviously my 5W is not going to break a 
pileup and that's no surprise but when 
contesting stations with low signal levels 
here are working one station right after 
another and when I call & they hear me, 
that's the usual. When a station is coming 
in 10 over & can't hear me no matter how 
many times in the night I go back & try to 
reach them, I have to wonder why that is. 
The hypothesis I entertain is they use 
more power than they need but conditions 
and directive Rx antennas certainly do 
make a difference. 

As to the Clicks, the K3 on this end sure 
is an equalizer. I use the 250Hz filter & 
run the digital filter down to 50 Hz and 
its such a big help, Clicks just aren't an 
issue any more. I loved all of my old 
rigs, especially the Collins S line, but 
there is no comparison to today's 
technology for contesting.

Good luck in the contest & 73,

Gary
KA1J


> I'm not sure why you would be surprised running QRP that stations that were 
> "loud" couldn't hear you.  You're at a 13 db disadvantage at a minimum.  Ad 
> in clix (and there plenty of them) plus QRM the guy is experiencing on the 
> other end. . .and, well, there you are. . .you can't be heard.  That said, 
> it is all still great fun.   Condx to JA from here in Iowa this morning were 
> quite good73. . . Dave, W0FLS
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Gary Smith" 
> To: 
> Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 11:22 AM
> Subject: Re: Topband: CW160
> 
> 
> > Interesting conditions here last night. I
> > heard a whole lot of DX that simply could
> > not hear me. I'm running QRP and don't
> > expect to work everything I hear but one
> > thing for sure, the overall conditions
> > were really nice. It was fun to take a
> > break and listen to EU working other EU &
> > SA and hear both ends of the QSO on 160.
> >
> > Not sure how good the conditions were for
> > everyone though, Herb & I worked but he
> > was one of the very few Caribbean stations
> > I was able to get a Q with. OTOH, I worked
> > several California stations as well as OR
> > & WA so the band was selectively open.
> >
> > An interesting experience is to hear
> > stations who have one of the loudest
> > signals but are unable to hear me. You
> > have to figure their Rx must be difficult,
> > either that or they are running power
> > beyond their ability to hear. I
> > encountered that quite a bit and again,
> > running QRP, often my signal not going to
> > be heard but when someone has such high
> > signal levels here and can't hear me at
> > all, they might want to cut back on their
> > power or, get better a better Rx ability.
> > Maybe their Rx antennas were pointed in
> > another direction?
> >
> > Absolutely not pointing a finger, I just
> > saw that happen so very often. I know if I
> > were running more power, I'd make a whole
> > lot more Qs. Conversely, if they heard
> > better, they would have made a lot more
> > Qs.
> >
> > I'd really like to have the chance to work
> > a 160 at an excellent location with and
> > excellent Tx/Rx set of antennas. Wires in
> > not tall trees are the best I can do and I
> > have so much fun with them. However, it
> > would be nice to experience competition
> > with everything stacked in my favor. I'm
> > sure we all feel that way. Its been years
> > since I was at a super station and I'm
> > ready for that experience again; that was
> > back in 1986 and so long ago that they had
> > just started running CT by K1EA which was
> > first released the year before.
> >
> > Another have at it tonight so maybe I'll
> > pick up some of those stations I couldn't
> > break last night?
> >
> > 73 & good luck,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> >
> >> Good luck to all!
> >>
> >> 73,
> >>
> >> Gary
> >> KA1J
> >> _
> >> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> > 
> 
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> 



_
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Don Kirk]

Hi Gary,

I previously was amazed at some loud stations (like 20 or 30 dB over S9)
that could not hear my 100 watt station, and I thought it was due to the
fact that they were using directional RX antennas, but I finally stumbled
upon the issue that was most often the cause of my problem, and it was the
fact that they were using very narrow RX filters compared with my internal
500 Hz crystal filter and my method of tuning by ear was not adequate to
put me in their passband.  I realized that I would have to keep adjusting
my TX frequency in very small increments until I wound up in their passband
(I'm running a 35 year old rig with no quick method of zero beating).

Finally in Aug 2014 I built the Hi-Per Mite active audio filter that has a
-6 dB bandwidth of approximately 205 Hz, and this automatically fixed my
problem.  The Hi-Per Mite active audio filter also has a very nice single
peak response whereas my internal 500 hertz crystal filter has a double
hump response which introduced a lot of variation in my tuning process.

Stations running very narrow filters may not be related at all to your
issue, but thought I should mention this phenomena for folks that it does
impact.

73,
Don (wd8dsb)



On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM, Gary Smith  wrote:

> Interesting conditions here last night. I
> heard a whole lot of DX that simply could
> not hear me. I'm running QRP and don't
> expect to work everything I hear but one
> thing for sure, the overall conditions
> were really nice. It was fun to take a
> break and listen to EU working other EU &
> SA and hear both ends of the QSO on 160.
>
> Not sure how good the conditions were for
> everyone though, Herb & I worked but he
> was one of the very few Caribbean stations
> I was able to get a Q with. OTOH, I worked
> several California stations as well as OR
> & WA so the band was selectively open.
>
> An interesting experience is to hear
> stations who have one of the loudest
> signals but are unable to hear me. You
> have to figure their Rx must be difficult,
> either that or they are running power
> beyond their ability to hear. I
> encountered that quite a bit and again,
> running QRP, often my signal not going to
> be heard but when someone has such high
> signal levels here and can't hear me at
> all, they might want to cut back on their
> power or, get better a better Rx ability.
> Maybe their Rx antennas were pointed in
> another direction?
>
> Absolutely not pointing a finger, I just
> saw that happen so very often. I know if I
> were running more power, I'd make a whole
> lot more Qs. Conversely, if they heard
> better, they would have made a lot more
> Qs.
>
> I'd really like to have the chance to work
> a 160 at an excellent location with and
> excellent Tx/Rx set of antennas. Wires in
> not tall trees are the best I can do and I
> have so much fun with them. However, it
> would be nice to experience competition
> with everything stacked in my favor. I'm
> sure we all feel that way. Its been years
> since I was at a super station and I'm
> ready for that experience again; that was
> back in 1986 and so long ago that they had
> just started running CT by K1EA which was
> first released the year before.
>
> Another have at it tonight so maybe I'll
> pick up some of those stations I couldn't
> break last night?
>
> 73 & good luck,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
> > Good luck to all!
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >
>
>
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Tom Haavisto]

This is only part of it.

Just one example from a few years ago in a 160 contest;  There was a very
loud station in the Caribean, and he was running EU, and doing quite well.
Many NA stations calling him - he was 20 over S9, and deaf as a post.
Later on, he was like S3, and running NA like mad!  The secret?  His
beverages work very well!

Last night, I was having trouble hearing stations from the west coast, but
things got better later on.  I am pretty sure I worked some QRP guys, but
even some QRO guys were a tough go.  We tend to assume  symmetrical
propagation, but I am sure that is not always the case.  From past
experience - in the ARRL DX on 20 meters for example,  I have worked some
very loud QRP stations (or they at least claim to be running QRP), and
working some QRO stations can be difficult.  I am sure we have all seen the
same on 160 in some cases.

Hang in there.  Many of the "easy" Q's are out of the way, and you should
have better luck in the pileups, now that they should be thinned out a
bit.  Last, but not least - QRP has to be tough in any contest.  160
especially so.  But - if it wasn't a challenge, folks would not be doing it.

Tom - VE3CX


This
email has been sent from a virus-free computer protected by Avast.
www.avast.com

<#DDB4FAA8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM, Gary Smith  wrote:

> Interesting conditions here last night. I
> heard a whole lot of DX that simply could
> not hear me. I'm running QRP and don't
> expect to work everything I hear but one
> thing for sure, the overall conditions
> were really nice. It was fun to take a
> break and listen to EU working other EU &
> SA and hear both ends of the QSO on 160.
>
> Not sure how good the conditions were for
> everyone though, Herb & I worked but he
> was one of the very few Caribbean stations
> I was able to get a Q with. OTOH, I worked
> several California stations as well as OR
> & WA so the band was selectively open.
>
> An interesting experience is to hear
> stations who have one of the loudest
> signals but are unable to hear me. You
> have to figure their Rx must be difficult,
> either that or they are running power
> beyond their ability to hear. I
> encountered that quite a bit and again,
> running QRP, often my signal not going to
> be heard but when someone has such high
> signal levels here and can't hear me at
> all, they might want to cut back on their
> power or, get better a better Rx ability.
> Maybe their Rx antennas were pointed in
> another direction?
>
> Absolutely not pointing a finger, I just
> saw that happen so very often. I know if I
> were running more power, I'd make a whole
> lot more Qs. Conversely, if they heard
> better, they would have made a lot more
> Qs.
>
> I'd really like to have the chance to work
> a 160 at an excellent location with and
> excellent Tx/Rx set of antennas. Wires in
> not tall trees are the best I can do and I
> have so much fun with them. However, it
> would be nice to experience competition
> with everything stacked in my favor. I'm
> sure we all feel that way. Its been years
> since I was at a super station and I'm
> ready for that experience again; that was
> back in 1986 and so long ago that they had
> just started running CT by K1EA which was
> first released the year before.
>
> Another have at it tonight so maybe I'll
> pick up some of those stations I couldn't
> break last night?
>
> 73 & good luck,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
> > Good luck to all!
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> >
>
>
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
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Re: Topband: CW160

[Jim Brown]

On Sat,1/30/2016 9:40 AM, David Raymond wrote:
Condx to JA from here in Iowa this morning were quite good 


Yes, it was a good night. Dave, W0FLS and Toni, N0NI, are two guys who 
pulled my QRP signal out. Thanks also to W5MX and someone signing a club 
call in Gulfport, MS who heard me and gave me KY and MS. Two states 
down, four to go. Still need VT, CT, WV, and SC. I parked on K8JQ hoping 
for a sunrise peak, but it didn't happen.


C6AGU (AA7JV) was loud here around his sunrise, but we didn't make it. 
HK1R was loud much of the evening, but no Q. K4UEE was also loud from 
GA, perhaps testing antennas for his next trip. He also pulled me out.


I may have goofed by taking a nap -- that peak when Gary worked CA 
probably happened then.


73, Jim K9YC
_
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Re: Topband: CW160

[David Raymond]

I'm not sure why you would be surprised running QRP that stations that were 
"loud" couldn't hear you.  You're at a 13 db disadvantage at a minimum.  Ad 
in clix (and there plenty of them) plus QRM the guy is experiencing on the 
other end. . .and, well, there you are. . .you can't be heard.  That said, 
it is all still great fun.   Condx to JA from here in Iowa this morning were 
quite good73. . . Dave, W0FLS


- Original Message - 
From: "Gary Smith" 

To: 
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 11:22 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: CW160



Interesting conditions here last night. I
heard a whole lot of DX that simply could
not hear me. I'm running QRP and don't
expect to work everything I hear but one
thing for sure, the overall conditions
were really nice. It was fun to take a
break and listen to EU working other EU &
SA and hear both ends of the QSO on 160.

Not sure how good the conditions were for
everyone though, Herb & I worked but he
was one of the very few Caribbean stations
I was able to get a Q with. OTOH, I worked
several California stations as well as OR
& WA so the band was selectively open.

An interesting experience is to hear
stations who have one of the loudest
signals but are unable to hear me. You
have to figure their Rx must be difficult,
either that or they are running power
beyond their ability to hear. I
encountered that quite a bit and again,
running QRP, often my signal not going to
be heard but when someone has such high
signal levels here and can't hear me at
all, they might want to cut back on their
power or, get better a better Rx ability.
Maybe their Rx antennas were pointed in
another direction?

Absolutely not pointing a finger, I just
saw that happen so very often. I know if I
were running more power, I'd make a whole
lot more Qs. Conversely, if they heard
better, they would have made a lot more
Qs.

I'd really like to have the chance to work
a 160 at an excellent location with and
excellent Tx/Rx set of antennas. Wires in
not tall trees are the best I can do and I
have so much fun with them. However, it
would be nice to experience competition
with everything stacked in my favor. I'm
sure we all feel that way. Its been years
since I was at a super station and I'm
ready for that experience again; that was
back in 1986 and so long ago that they had
just started running CT by K1EA which was
first released the year before.

Another have at it tonight so maybe I'll
pick up some of those stations I couldn't
break last night?

73 & good luck,

Gary
KA1J


Good luck to all!

73,

Gary
KA1J
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Topband: CW160

[Gary Smith]

Good luck to all!

73,

Gary
KA1J
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