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Re: Topband: Topband Contest- at sunrise

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Contest- at sunrise
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2024 10:34:00 -0800
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
On 12/8/2024 10:06 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
Conditions were stinko all night Saturday in NorCal.

Another important point -- there was a LOT of "selective fading" both nights; I'd call someone on a peak, he'd respond, and by the time I responded with my exchange, I was in the mud. Same when stations called me. GOOD operators stuck with it, less experienced ones gave up, thinking the other op was a lid.

Tutorial info: this fading is the low frequency version of "picket fencing" that VHF and UHF mobiles experience -- it's due to the peaking and cancellation as the signal arrives over two paths, and are varying degrees of in and out of phase. The only difference is wavelength, which changes the time interval of the fading.

Being a great op is FAR more than being fast -- understanding how radio works is equally important.

73, Jim K9YC

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