Short version: The trick is to turn the fence into a non-conductor at 160 meters to make it invisible to the beverage run above it. Long version: Strictly from a transmission line basis, the fence to
I realize this is turning into a long article on the reflector, and overall is not really a response to an individual poster. But we are into yet another season and it's getting late for construction
The lack of a DX window seems to be taken care of by having people call "UP", does it not? Then it is up to the DX operator to spread it around a bit by not operating with a QRM-able or reliable QSX
Two long radials on the ground is only one step above using just an iron pipe in the ground. That should be common wisdom, like high dipoles do better than very low dipoles, but alas, is not. Try two
Elevated radials are also part of the resonance equation. You did not mention how long the radials are and whether they are all the same length and evenly distributed. If they are short, then your re
If I had an up 125 out 125 wire out in the clear on 160m, I'd keep it. Questions would be how you were feeding it, did you have brick wall common mode block to keep the antenna from using the feedlin
I don't think you've quite addressed the confusion. Should the first paragraph in 6. read: Prohibited activities: For single op in any category, use of internet-based and/or radio-based spotting syst
Don't be too quick to abandon the 3/8. bend (away from the ground) have 50 years of persistent anecdotal success in SKYWAVE QSO's that is NOT explained by the models, theory or popular talk. Hams are
I find it very interesting to watch the reverse beacon network come up with Skimmer spots. http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/?f=3 It is interesting in that real signal reports are involved, signal-t
Given that you have the 70-90 vertical rise as a given (not in play as maybe or maybe not), what the shape of your L will do to improve/worsen your signal will be overwhelmingly swamped (not close at
Bought two 1200 pf 4 kV for use on big 160 antennas out at N4AF, from QRO-stuff. No problems and have done the job out in remote box for seven or eight years now. Very stable. Quite large, drive shaf
Some grounds can be horrific. 500 ohms is horrific and atypical unless we are talking about sand or extremely dry material. BUT even a 500 ohm ground at the feed would be in series with a 450 ohm-ish
You should probably have a conversation with SteppIR about being the top antenna on a tower that is being loaded on 160. I really don't know what they recommend. BUT, if you are QRO there are many kV
Listening at 100 Hz bandwidth will often just find the space between two stations separated by 400-500 Hz. When you find a "hole" best to find its center and width by extending WIDTH control until yo
I have pulled this thread from the Elecraft reflector as it has broad application and seems to particularly specific to the topband audience. The just past CQ 160 was my first 160 contest using diver
I have to vote with Herb. Further there will always be disadvantages to those without monster stations. There will always be advantages or disadvantages to various locations on the planet. One CANNOT
If you model the RX antennas with the TX antennas in the model, and then without, you can see the change in RX pattern, usually with the loss of deep nulls. Some situations you can get extreme intera
I draw the line at claiming a contact when either did not actually get it over the air. I draw the line at using non-over-the-air to "fix" a log, whether contest or DXCC credit. It is clear that ther
With 60 feet vertical, getting "pure" vertical polarization just won't make any difference. Always go for the efficiency. Many people have outstanding signals with inverted L's. And as always, worryi
This question is the same for actual antennas as it is for modeled antennas. The performance of a real world and modeled 160m vertical antenna is almost entirely determined by the nature of the radia