----- Original Message -----
From: "W0MU Mike Fatchett" <w0mu@w0mu.com>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2014 12:05 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Rig Question
Is my P3 Monitor worth it. Yes. necessary no. Does it allow me to work
DX faster yes. Pretty handy knowing exactly where the last guy the dx
just worked was or the pattern the dx uses or finding holes in the
pileups.
** Listening awhile will establish a pattern, knowing how and when to
transmit is a skill. Depending on a display just reduces skill levels
required and actually makes it harder as monkey see monkey do mentality
takes over and the pileup does the same.
How many rigs have true diversity receive? One? Does it help? It sure
does.
** For the handfull that have the real estate to implement it properly.
W6AM was using this long ago on his rombic farm. Does everyone
need it? No.
** Diversity reception has been around since the 20's by the commercial
sites. Often manned by hams it caught on long before Don.
Phase noise in a MM situation can be awful. K3's have minimized this.
** So do switchable filters that drop it 40-60dB or so. A single coax stub
by about 25dB here allows pure 2 station operation without interferance from
80's rigs.
.
Many of the big dxpeditions are only taking K3's because of this and the
best receiver available. When you have the world calling you do need the
best.
** Perceptions, pressure, freebies all play into the picture. I wont
disagree the K3 has a good receiver, especially for CW but GOOD
DXpedition/contest ops have contended with worse for decades and set new
records
Thankfully we have choices.
Why should radio be any different than cars? Why do we have so many
choices? They all go down the road at 65mph and are pretty safe. There
are far more choices in brands of cars and price points than ham radio.
The bottom line is that people like choices. Thankfully we have them.
Mike W0MU
** The auto industry is a prime example against too many choices. The public
isnt intelligent enough to understand why. Nobody really wins and the price
goes up since production quantities by model decrease.
Ford set records with the Model T and A which still stand. The 57 Chevy used
the same rolling chassis and driveline as the 55 and 56 with more engine
choices being the only variable. The 58 used the same rolling chassis with
some reinforcements. The 59-64 was basically the same frame with incremental
engine and transmission differences.
The Mustang shared many components year to year plus with other models;
underneath the sheetmetal it was a Falcon/Comet.
The hugely popular 1986-95 Taurus/Sable shared a lot of body and interior
parts over that span but engine/transmission/electronics swaps were limited
to 2-3 years.
These days almost every year is different in some major way,
interchangability is minimal and prices escalate. Plus vehicles are junked
before they are really worn out which adds to cost, pollution, natural
resources, etc.
Carl
KM1H
On 6/19/2014 9:54 AM, Carl wrote:
What I dont understand is even the need for some of these fancy rigs.
DXers and contesters on any band 160-10M havent really progressed much in
close to 30 years based upon the rig alone. PC control has been around a
long time and a simple external box can shape the TX/RX audio.
Key clix, phase noise, ALC spikes, reliability problems, constant
updates/fixes, and more are still with us...no progress there.
Overdriven SSB rigs and amps by those with a simian IQ are more prevalent
than ever IMO.
Is a built in panadaptor really needed? I have a SM-230 and SM-240 that
are rarely of any use on HF and especially 160. I use the SM-230
regularly on 6M CW DX due to the random nature of DX band openings and
fast moving E clouds.
Advancements have been in receive antennas and control systems. Ive never
found a second receiver built in to be any help. OTOH I do have a
seperate rig, amp, split and fader controllable headphones, and antenna
selection switching matrix that allows me to be on 2 bands at once
chasing DXpeditions even on different modes.
This is with mid to late 80's gear.
Advancements in automatic amp and antenna/rotator control plus logging
and spotting networks are, again IMO, a primary reason for higher contest
scores and the xcvr used has little to do with it.
With the huge acceptance of the TS-590 by all levels of ops it is a big
statement as to why spend $$$ for very little improvement.....those who
always want the biggest and best toys arent included. Buy 2 and a second
amp (lots of good used ones in the $1000-1500 range) and spend less money
than just a xcvr in some cases.
Many hams Ive talked to are wasting 1-3dB in feedline loss by the time
they get to 10M. VSWR loss is additive to the flat loss making some
antennas even more lossy over a full band. CATV hardline; and cheap 50
Ohm versions with connectors are free to even less than scrap copper
these days as the 2 way and paging businesses have tanked.
In the automotive world the Corvette and Mustangs (and toss the new
SRT/Dodge Viper into the mix) are giving even the highest priced Euro
cars fits on the tracks and dragstrips at a fraction of the cost....there
is American technology at its best where it is actually measurable one on
one unlike with ham rigs which are more a personal and emotional choice,
and perceived rather than real useful performance.
Carl
KM1H
----- Original Message ----- From: "W7RH" <midnight18@cox.net>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2014 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Rig Question
Much of the discussion of todays transceivers is like comparing apples
to apples. My situation did not require a big box status symbol with
over a hundred button features. My requirements were standard
communications interface ala serial, USB or Ethernet control with a
decent receiver. Sub menus via computer screen.
My ten year remote project started before K3 days and most
manufacturers could not satisfy the above requirement without silly
interface boxes. Many of those who had the specific features had lack
luster firmware and software control. My interest in remote operation
due to big city life and restrictions fueled my multiscreen computer
control and I ended up with a Kenwood TS480 with the narrow 270 Hz cw
filter option.
DXing is a casual operation for me and separate simple SDR with loop is
used for basic split frequency operation. Proper adjustment of the
attenuator, RF gain and ALC is the key to this radio specific
performance. Dual receive diversity is through a simple audio mixer and
really is seldom used.
My option is not for everyone. However, with the typical longtime ham
station for seasoned low bander or contester in the price range of a
couple of Harleys or nice BMW it is not out of sight.
The bottom line. A simple transceiver with quiet location and good
antenna works for me. If you can't hear them you can't work them no
matter what you spend.
73,
Bob W7RH
http://w7rh.net
--
W7RH DM35OS
Some people regard private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be shot.
Others look on it as a cow they can milk. Not enough people see it as a
healthy horse, pulling a sturdy wagon.
Winston Churchill
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7706 - Release Date:
06/19/14
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7706 - Release Date: 06/19/14
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
|