Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
Regarding multiple QSO's I too am guilty. I will say that the contacts are short and have signal report. This is not to say I am not respectful of the new guys trying to work a new one. Furthermore, I spot DX frequently and post links to audio files collected on the reflector because I can hear better than I get out. I do not live under the auroral ring and working Europe, Africa and Middle East happens but not all that often. Most of the time stations are very weak. FYI a Middle East open will last only a few minutes on the west coast. Bob, W7RH -- W7RH DM35os "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." - Albert Einstein _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
I agree as well. The problem for those chasing new ones is sometimes the fact that folks who already worked, confirmed the entity that was accepted by DXCC Desk are still calling and often stealing the chance from their fellow amateurs who need that DX. Generally they have the strongest signals and just are competing in their Vanity Fair. Another questionable idea is so called «DX Marathon» requiring to work the same entity every year, month, week etc. As for me, one DX QSO confirmed by QSL card and/or in LoTW and accepted by DXCC Desk is enough. We can work the same stations again and again in all kinds of topband contests giving the points and multipliers to those who need them. Good DX and the Happy New Year 2020. >Среда, 8 января 2020, 5:27 +03:00 от Wes : > >I agree. After over 60 years if ham radio I got on this band semi-seriously >only a few years ago with the goal of working my 9th DXCC band. With my modest >station here in the depths of the AZ desert it is very difficult for me to work >into EU or AF. Especially true when I have to compete with stations on the >east >coast or the mid-west who are telling the DX, "You're much stronger tonight >that >last night." > >Consequently, trying to be a gentleman on the gentleman's band, I often refrain >from calling the usual Asian or S. Pacific suspects that are relatively easy to >work, in deference to others to my north and east. If only this was a two-way >arrangement. > >If it's any consolation, I worked JT1CO for the first time only last week. >I've >heard him many times but could never get through with my puny 500W. > >Wes N7WS > > >On 1/7/2020 2:24 PM, Greg wrote: >> No problem if you want to work G3YRO or any of the many other common >> countries...but please don't get in a pile-up for a rare one that you have >> already worked...like JT1CO. If no one is calling and you want to work him >> again, no problem. There was an Italian station on the 160 chat this >> morning who said he had worked JT1CO many times on 160 -- even with 100 >> watts. In contrast I've heard him twice in 10 years in Florida and then >> only for a couple minutes. Still need it for the last zone on Topband. >> Hopefully, 160 will still be known as the gentleman's band. 73, Greg-N4CC >> >> -Original Message- >> From: Topband < topband-bounces+n4cc=windstream@contesting.com > On >> Behalf >> Of Roger Kennedy >> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 10:57 AM >> To: topband@contesting.com >> Subject: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs >> >> >> Well you know I have said this several times before Steve . . so thanks for >> clarifying. >> >> Like you, EVERY DX contact is a thrill to me (even after 50 years on the >> band), no matter how many times I may have worked that station before. >> >> I actually think that MOST 160m DX-ers agree. After all, it takes a LOT of >> effort to put up a decent 160m antenna (for Tx AND Rx) . . . if you only >> used that to work NEW stations, you might only come on the band a handful of >> times each year ! >> >> Hopefully people WON'T now be afraid to call and work stations they have >> worked many times before on 160 ! >> >> 73 Roger G3YRO >> >_ >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, 9BWAS, 5BWAZ, WAZ-160 DXCC card checker (160 meters). _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
I agree. After over 60 years if ham radio I got on this band semi-seriously only a few years ago with the goal of working my 9th DXCC band. With my modest station here in the depths of the AZ desert it is very difficult for me to work into EU or AF. Especially true when I have to compete with stations on the east coast or the mid-west who are telling the DX, "You're much stronger tonight that last night." Consequently, trying to be a gentleman on the gentleman's band, I often refrain from calling the usual Asian or S. Pacific suspects that are relatively easy to work, in deference to others to my north and east. If only this was a two-way arrangement. If it's any consolation, I worked JT1CO for the first time only last week. I've heard him many times but could never get through with my puny 500W. Wes N7WS On 1/7/2020 2:24 PM, Greg wrote: No problem if you want to work G3YRO or any of the many other common countries...but please don't get in a pile-up for a rare one that you have already worked...like JT1CO. If no one is calling and you want to work him again, no problem. There was an Italian station on the 160 chat this morning who said he had worked JT1CO many times on 160 -- even with 100 watts. In contrast I've heard him twice in 10 years in Florida and then only for a couple minutes. Still need it for the last zone on Topband. Hopefully, 160 will still be known as the gentleman's band. 73, Greg-N4CC -Original Message- From: Topband On Behalf Of Roger Kennedy Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 10:57 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs Well you know I have said this several times before Steve . . so thanks for clarifying. Like you, EVERY DX contact is a thrill to me (even after 50 years on the band), no matter how many times I may have worked that station before. I actually think that MOST 160m DX-ers agree. After all, it takes a LOT of effort to put up a decent 160m antenna (for Tx AND Rx) . . . if you only used that to work NEW stations, you might only come on the band a handful of times each year ! Hopefully people WON'T now be afraid to call and work stations they have worked many times before on 160 ! 73 Roger G3YRO _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
No problem if you want to work G3YRO or any of the many other common countries...but please don't get in a pile-up for a rare one that you have already worked...like JT1CO. If no one is calling and you want to work him again, no problem. There was an Italian station on the 160 chat this morning who said he had worked JT1CO many times on 160 -- even with 100 watts. In contrast I've heard him twice in 10 years in Florida and then only for a couple minutes. Still need it for the last zone on Topband. Hopefully, 160 will still be known as the gentleman's band. 73, Greg-N4CC -Original Message- From: Topband On Behalf Of Roger Kennedy Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 10:57 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs Well you know I have said this several times before Steve . . so thanks for clarifying. Like you, EVERY DX contact is a thrill to me (even after 50 years on the band), no matter how many times I may have worked that station before. I actually think that MOST 160m DX-ers agree. After all, it takes a LOT of effort to put up a decent 160m antenna (for Tx AND Rx) . . . if you only used that to work NEW stations, you might only come on the band a handful of times each year ! Hopefully people WON'T now be afraid to call and work stations they have worked many times before on 160 ! 73 Roger G3YRO _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
I dont usually comment on much.. BUT I totally agree with Steve and everyone!! Its always a thrill to me to work anyone.. A new initial or old friends,, 160 IS like a Box of Chocolates... Ya never know what you are going to get!! see everyone on 160... Tom N7GP ex WA8WZG _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
Well you know I have said this several times before Steve . . so thanks for clarifying. Like you, EVERY DX contact is a thrill to me (even after 50 years on the band), no matter how many times I may have worked that station before. I actually think that MOST 160m DX-ers agree. After all, it takes a LOT of effort to put up a decent 160m antenna (for Tx AND Rx) . . . if you only used that to work NEW stations, you might only come on the band a handful of times each year ! Hopefully people WON'T now be afraid to call and work stations they have worked many times before on 160 ! 73 Roger G3YRO _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
OK Steve, I will call you every morning when I hear your signal (... tnx for this hint! I really feel strange to work a station again in the same mode on the same band - therefore I love contesting.) Additionally I will try to join the famous "VE6WZ-Top-25" List. Now I go downstairs for some CQ. 73 de Michael, DL6MHW Am 07.01.2020 um 17:49 schrieb VE6WZ_Steve: > Speaking of multiple QSOs with the same stations on 160m…. > please do not hesitate to call me if you hear me on Topband no matter how > many QSOs we have had! I am a 160m QSO collector. The more the better. I > don't get bored working the same guys over-and-over-and-over on TB. Each > opening is a new adventure for me. It ‘aint rocket science to know that if > we wait to work only new stations on the band then things will get pretty > slow! > > Everyone is motivated in different ways, and at different times for what > excites them about Ham radio. For myself, the thrill of working DX on > 160m….ANY DX, even multiple QSOs in the same season works for me. I am much > less excited about doing that on 80m, or 40m, or the higher bands, but I know > there are those that love to work DX on ANY band all the time, any time. > The thrill for me started when I was 13 years old, under the covers in bed at > night with a small transistor radio (1971) listening to distant AM broadcast > stations with the sound of summer QRN. > Because 160m is so un-predictable and usually completely dead and devoid of > ANY signals (here in VE6 at least) it really is magical when the DX finally > makes it to my ears. I mean sincerely magical, because I reflect back on > listening to those AM signals on that transistor radio…the 160m band is just > above the AM band. How cool is that! We are just Ham guys with backyard > antennas! > > I understand completely those that find it boring working the same guys > over-and-over, and how the chase for the next DXCC band counter is what > really matters. For many years after I built my 80m Yagi I was somewhat > “marooned" on 80m working as much DX as possible. I still love 80m, but the > intrigue has faded and I don't find myself calling CQ there much anymore. > Perhaps the same will happen on 160m, but because the trans-polar propagation > from VE6 to EU (under the AU oval) can be absent for YEARS (!) on end, I > expect that when the condition are good I will remain engaged. I must > confess that working JA’s are not as exciting from here (perhaps like working > EU from the EC?). > The chase for the DXCC band totals is not my main motivator anymore as much > as just hearing what DX might make it through each night or morning. > > To work a lot of DX on 160, you NEED to call CQ. If we all just listen, > waiting for others to call, the only guys we will work are the few that are > calling CQ (wow, crazy eh?). I understand that with poor RX and high local > noise the alligator risk is high, but you never know. I have received a > number of JA and EU QSLs indicating 100w TX and modest antenna setups. > > Lets keep the band alive. Get on the band, ionize the ionosphere and call CQ > and see what happens. > > 73, de steve ve6wz > > So…here is the VE6WZ 2018-19 season “top repeat QSO list” > > From my log export for this winter season (4 months) beginning September > till now, I have worked 422 unique EU callsigns. (1,228 total QSOs) > > Here is the top 25 list for Europe: > (rank, call, number of QSOs) > > 1SM5EDX 40 > 2DF2PY 38 > 3LA1MFA 38 > 4SM4DHF 33 > 5OM2XW 26 > 6RA4LW 23 > 7LY7M 23 > 8ON7PQ 23 > 9YL2SM 22 > 10PA3FQA 21 > 11RC3FL 19 > 12G3PQA 16 > 13G3XHZ 15 > 14IK7JTF 15 > 15F5IN 13 > 16OH1XX 13 > 17DL8LAS 13 > 18G3OQT 12 > 19F5NZ 11 > 20G4UFK 11 > 21GW3YDX 11 > 22SM3EVR 11 > 23G3XGC 10 > 24SM6MCW 10 > 25SM7BIC 10 > > And here is the OC/AS list: > > 1VK6LW44 > 2VK2WF21 > 3HL5IVL20 > 4VK3HJ19 > 5JA5BIN11 > 6VK3IO9 > 73D2AG7 > 8DS2JJV6 > 9JA4CQS5 > 10JH2FXK5 > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
Steve Am in total agreement on all of your points. My thrill is just making the contact! DXCC is not interesting to me although I have 6Band DXCC with QSL cards but never submitted. I am a life member of ARRL. Started managing my log with LotW for those looking for my confirmation but not interested in the country count. Happy to help those that are on the hunt. My Motivation is playing the antenna game, eeking out the best signal I can, given whatever restrictions I face. Testing of my antenna experiments is done during the major contests although I spend a lot of non contest time evaluating them and setting strategies based on results. This is when I look to the RBN world or a good WebSDR to see how things are working along with all the regulars guys! Like you Steve, I enjoy making all contacts! I CQ frequently (of course not to the level Jon, AA1K hits the band) only because I feel I can now hear about 90% of the people that call. Years ago, was too much of an alligator but now with a concentrated effort on the antenna side, I feel like taking the plunge and call CQ. Still others can out hear me (the true challenge of this band) or have a bigger signal but it’s all fun. Like all of us, I wait for those fleeting moments when the band becomes spectacular. Would be way more fun during contests, but it is, what it is! Am blessed to now be retired and have a supportive XYL to pursue my lifelong love. See you all on the band! Regards, Mark, K1RX > On Jan 7, 2020, at 11:49 AM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote: > > Speaking of multiple QSOs with the same stations on 160m…. > please do not hesitate to call me if you hear me on Topband no matter how > many QSOs we have had! I am a 160m QSO collector. The more the better. I > don't get bored working the same guys over-and-over-and-over on TB. Each > opening is a new adventure for me. It ‘aint rocket science to know that if > we wait to work only new stations on the band then things will get pretty > slow! > > Everyone is motivated in different ways, and at different times for what > excites them about Ham radio. For myself, the thrill of working DX on > 160m….ANY DX, even multiple QSOs in the same season works for me. I am much > less excited about doing that on 80m, or 40m, or the higher bands, but I know > there are those that love to work DX on ANY band all the time, any time. > The thrill for me started when I was 13 years old, under the covers in bed at > night with a small transistor radio (1971) listening to distant AM broadcast > stations with the sound of summer QRN. > Because 160m is so un-predictable and usually completely dead and devoid of > ANY signals (here in VE6 at least) it really is magical when the DX finally > makes it to my ears. I mean sincerely magical, because I reflect back on > listening to those AM signals on that transistor radio…the 160m band is just > above the AM band. How cool is that! We are just Ham guys with backyard > antennas! > > I understand completely those that find it boring working the same guys > over-and-over, and how the chase for the next DXCC band counter is what > really matters. For many years after I built my 80m Yagi I was somewhat > “marooned" on 80m working as much DX as possible. I still love 80m, but the > intrigue has faded and I don't find myself calling CQ there much anymore. > Perhaps the same will happen on 160m, but because the trans-polar propagation > from VE6 to EU (under the AU oval) can be absent for YEARS (!) on end, I > expect that when the condition are good I will remain engaged. I must > confess that working JA’s are not as exciting from here (perhaps like working > EU from the EC?). > The chase for the DXCC band totals is not my main motivator anymore as much > as just hearing what DX might make it through each night or morning. > > To work a lot of DX on 160, you NEED to call CQ. If we all just listen, > waiting for others to call, the only guys we will work are the few that are > calling CQ (wow, crazy eh?). I understand that with poor RX and high local > noise the alligator risk is high, but you never know. I have received a > number of JA and EU QSLs indicating 100w TX and modest antenna setups. > > Lets keep the band alive. Get on the band, ionize the ionosphere and call CQ > and see what happens. > > 73, de steve ve6wz > > So…here is the VE6WZ 2018-19 season “top repeat QSO list” > > From my log export for this winter season (4 months) beginning September till > now, I have worked 422 unique EU callsigns. (1,228 total QSOs) > > Here is the top 25 list for Europe: > (rank, call, number of QSOs) > > 1SM5EDX 40 > 2DF2PY 38 > 3LA1MFA 38 > 4SM4DHF 33 > 5OM2XW 26 > 6RA4LW 23 > 7LY7M 23 > 8ON7PQ 23 > 9YL2SM 22 > 10PA3FQA 21 > 11RC3FL 19 > 12G3PQA 16 > 13G3XHZ 15 > 14IK7JTF 15 > 15F5IN
Re: Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
Hi Steve: Amen to your above comments and I agree 100%. I considerthe stations I have worked as friends and it"s always nice to sayhello, especially on the tough bands like 160 where you havelimited antennas meaning no multiple elements at 100 feet. Eachcontact on TB is a challenge, so lets keep the band alive! 73JimK9PPYOn Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 10:49:21 AM CST, VE6WZ_Steve wrote: Speaking of multiple QSOs with the same stations on 160m…. please do not hesitate to call me if you hear me on Topband no matter how many QSOs we have had! I am a 160m QSO collector. The more the better. I don't get bored working the same guys over-and-over-and-over on TB. Each opening is a new adventure for me. It ‘aint rocket science to know that if we wait to work only new stations on the band then things will get pretty slow! Everyone is motivated in different ways, and at different times for what excites them about Ham radio. For myself, the thrill of working DX on 160m….ANY DX, even multiple QSOs in the same season works for me. I am much less excited about doing that on 80m, or 40m, or the higher bands, but I know there are those that love to work DX on ANY band all the time, any time. The thrill for me started when I was 13 years old, under the covers in bed at night with a small transistor radio (1971) listening to distant AM broadcast stations with the sound of summer QRN. Because 160m is so un-predictable and usually completely dead and devoid of ANY signals (here in VE6 at least) it really is magical when the DX finally makes it to my ears. I mean sincerely magical, because I reflect back on listening to those AM signals on that transistor radio…the 160m band is just above the AM band. How cool is that! We are just Ham guys with backyard antennas! I understand completely those that find it boring working the same guys over-and-over, and how the chase for the next DXCC band counter is what really matters. For many years after I built my 80m Yagi I was somewhat “marooned" on 80m working as much DX as possible. I still love 80m, but the intrigue has faded and I don't find myself calling CQ there much anymore. Perhaps the same will happen on 160m, but because the trans-polar propagation from VE6 to EU (under the AU oval) can be absent for YEARS (!) on end, I expect that when the condition are good I will remain engaged. I must confess that working JA’s are not as exciting from here (perhaps like working EU from the EC?). The chase for the DXCC band totals is not my main motivator anymore as much as just hearing what DX might make it through each night or morning. To work a lot of DX on 160, you NEED to call CQ. If we all just listen, waiting for others to call, the only guys we will work are the few that are calling CQ (wow, crazy eh?). I understand that with poor RX and high local noise the alligator risk is high, but you never know. I have received a number of JA and EU QSLs indicating 100w TX and modest antenna setups. Lets keep the band alive. Get on the band, ionize the ionosphere and call CQ and see what happens. 73, de steve ve6wz So…here is the VE6WZ 2018-19 season “top repeat QSO list” From my log export for this winter season (4 months) beginning September till now, I have worked 422 unique EU callsigns. (1,228 total QSOs) Here is the top 25 list for Europe: (rank, call, number of QSOs) 1 SM5EDX 40 2 DF2PY 38 3 LA1MFA 38 4 SM4DHF 33 5 OM2XW 26 6 RA4LW 23 7 LY7M 23 8 ON7PQ 23 9 YL2SM 22 10 PA3FQA 21 11 RC3FL 19 12 G3PQA 16 13 G3XHZ 15 14 IK7JTF 15 15 F5IN 13 16 OH1XX 13 17 DL8LAS 13 18 G3OQT 12 19 F5NZ 11 20 G4UFK 11 21 GW3YDX 11 22 SM3EVR 11 23 G3XGC 10 24 SM6MCW 10 25 SM7BIC 10 And here is the OC/AS list: 1 VK6LW 44 2 VK2WF 21 3 HL5IVL 20 4 VK3HJ 19 5 JA5BIN 11 6 VK3IO 9 7 3D2AG 7 8 DS2JJV 6 9 JA4CQS 5 10 JH2FXK 5 _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs
Speaking of multiple QSOs with the same stations on 160m…. please do not hesitate to call me if you hear me on Topband no matter how many QSOs we have had! I am a 160m QSO collector. The more the better. I don't get bored working the same guys over-and-over-and-over on TB. Each opening is a new adventure for me. It ‘aint rocket science to know that if we wait to work only new stations on the band then things will get pretty slow! Everyone is motivated in different ways, and at different times for what excites them about Ham radio. For myself, the thrill of working DX on 160m….ANY DX, even multiple QSOs in the same season works for me. I am much less excited about doing that on 80m, or 40m, or the higher bands, but I know there are those that love to work DX on ANY band all the time, any time. The thrill for me started when I was 13 years old, under the covers in bed at night with a small transistor radio (1971) listening to distant AM broadcast stations with the sound of summer QRN. Because 160m is so un-predictable and usually completely dead and devoid of ANY signals (here in VE6 at least) it really is magical when the DX finally makes it to my ears. I mean sincerely magical, because I reflect back on listening to those AM signals on that transistor radio…the 160m band is just above the AM band. How cool is that! We are just Ham guys with backyard antennas! I understand completely those that find it boring working the same guys over-and-over, and how the chase for the next DXCC band counter is what really matters. For many years after I built my 80m Yagi I was somewhat “marooned" on 80m working as much DX as possible. I still love 80m, but the intrigue has faded and I don't find myself calling CQ there much anymore. Perhaps the same will happen on 160m, but because the trans-polar propagation from VE6 to EU (under the AU oval) can be absent for YEARS (!) on end, I expect that when the condition are good I will remain engaged. I must confess that working JA’s are not as exciting from here (perhaps like working EU from the EC?). The chase for the DXCC band totals is not my main motivator anymore as much as just hearing what DX might make it through each night or morning. To work a lot of DX on 160, you NEED to call CQ. If we all just listen, waiting for others to call, the only guys we will work are the few that are calling CQ (wow, crazy eh?). I understand that with poor RX and high local noise the alligator risk is high, but you never know. I have received a number of JA and EU QSLs indicating 100w TX and modest antenna setups. Lets keep the band alive. Get on the band, ionize the ionosphere and call CQ and see what happens. 73, de steve ve6wz So…here is the VE6WZ 2018-19 season “top repeat QSO list” From my log export for this winter season (4 months) beginning September till now, I have worked 422 unique EU callsigns. (1,228 total QSOs) Here is the top 25 list for Europe: (rank, call, number of QSOs) 1 SM5EDX40 2 DF2PY 38 3 LA1MFA38 4 SM4DHF33 5 OM2XW 26 6 RA4LW 23 7 LY7M 23 8 ON7PQ 23 9 YL2SM 22 10 PA3FQA21 11 RC3FL 19 12 G3PQA 16 13 G3XHZ 15 14 IK7JTF15 15 F5IN 13 16 OH1XX 13 17 DL8LAS13 18 G3OQT 12 19 F5NZ 11 20 G4UFK 11 21 GW3YDX 11 22 SM3EVR11 23 G3XGC 10 24 SM6MCW 10 25 SM7BIC10 And here is the OC/AS list: 1 VK6LW 44 2 VK2WF 21 3 HL5IVL 20 4 VK3HJ 19 5 JA5BIN 11 6 VK3IO 9 7 3D2AG 7 8 DS2JJV 6 9 JA4CQS 5 10 JH2FXK 5 _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
