Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

2019-12-10 Thread Victor Goncharsky via Topband
HI Pete, I use Russian B1B vacuum relays for all RF switching, for high power 160m switching B2B vacuum relays are recommended. Hope you can get them there. Good luck. >Вторник, 10 декабря 2019, 16:31 UTC от N4ZR : > >Now that I've determined that my transmitting antenna must be >disconnected,

Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

2019-12-10 Thread N4ZR
Thanks everyone who responded - I think I know enough to proceed. I had wondered about the need to open the shield side of the coax - I have 16 turns of RG-400 on a Type 31 core right at the base of the inverted L.  If the darned rain/snow ever stops, I think I'll temporarily re-connect the

Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

2019-12-10 Thread Guy Olinger K2AV
The need to disconnect the feedline shield is to block common mode signals. A K9AY approved **EXCELLENT** common mode block (not a regular "balun" with likely awful blocking on 160m), or (GASP) an isolation transformer will take care. In the case quoted, with the coax center contductor opened,

Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

2019-12-10 Thread Guy Olinger K2AV
Pete, See RF parts.com, search vacuum relay VC2T-13.2. SPDT will allow you to change your mind about what state you want with no voltage to winding. And you will not need to buy a 24 volt power supply. Rated 12 kV will handle anything ham QRO. These are new, currentLy manufactured items. 73,

Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

2019-12-10 Thread WW3S
You should probably look for a double pole, I’ve been told you need to open the shield as wellI’ve had similar interference on my hi z array. I’ve opted to go a different route Sent from my iPad > On Dec 10, 2019, at 11:30 AM, N4ZR wrote: > > Now that I've determined that my

Topband: NOAA/NASA international panel releases their latest Solar Cycle 25 forecast

2019-12-10 Thread donovanf
The forecast consensus: Cycle 25 will peak in July 2025 (+/- 8 months), with a smoothed sunspot number of 115. Cycle 25 is forecast to be average in intensity and similar to Cycle 24. The panel concurred that solar minimum will occur in April 2020 (+/- 6 months). If their solar minimum

Re: Topband: K9ay loop not performing

2019-12-10 Thread N4ZR
Now that I've determined that my transmitting antenna must be disconnected, in order for my K9AY loop to work successfully, can anyone tell me what sort of ratings are required for the relay required to do this remotely?  I'm assuming a vacuum relay, but in looking at the MGS4U list of

Re: Topband: ARRL 160m CW Contest

2019-12-10 Thread fmoeves
Had a lot of fun in the contest made 139 contacts. I made just a few to EU qrm from other stations made it tough. I worked into Caribbean OK. But I'm with Wes it was more like a WAS contest. I just picked up 7610 but did not have time to get it ready...so maybe better next year. Some things I