Brian's points well taken... So get your IC-706 and a battery, and a portable
dipole, and work your way up the mountain, checking propagation every few
hundred feet... Doing this a half dozen times will tell you far more than any
amount of computer crunching....
Denny
>From Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com> Thu Apr 25 16:54:37 1996
From: Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com> (Pete Smith)
Subject: The Ultimate Sacrifice To The RF Gods
Message-ID: <199604251554.IAA13799@dfw-ix12.ix.netcom.com>
At 11:00 AM 4/25/96 -0400, you wrote:
>WASHINGTON, April 25 (AP) -- For many years, it has been secretively
>whispered among certain East Coast contest operators -- a very select few of
>them -- that W3LPL, VERY late at night, offers the sacrifice of a maiden YL
>operator to the RF Gods whenever he installs a new tower.
>
>This myth, of course, is completely unconfirmed. It is interesting to note,
>however, that in recent years there is no instance of a maiden YL operator
>renewing her membership in the Potomac Valley Radio Club for a second year.
>
>-- 73 de Walt, AC1O/4 (AP): "AC1O Press"
>
Good story, but my CIA contacts tell me that AP was mistaken and this report
really refers to a certain underground terrorist organization, known only by
its initials -- FRC (the Unabomber got it slightly wrong...). It is
believed that the sacrifices are made not at the time of tower construction,
but instead one solar month prior to the CQWW DX Contest. Intelligence
sources that have proved reliable in the past and are known to have access
to the information confirm that there are a number of unexplained drop-outs
from Philadelphia-area high school cheerleading ranks in mid-September
every year.
73,
Pete Smith N4ZR (n4zr@ix.netcom.com)
>From David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com Thu Apr 25 16:10:39 1996
From: David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com (David L. Thompson)
Subject: 1995 CQ Ww 160 Certificates
Message-ID: <199604251601.MAA04377@borg.mindspring.com>
Finally got the 1995 certificates from CQ. They will be going into the
mails by this weekend. Have patience I have over 300 to do.
73, Dave K4JRB
>From Bill Fisher KM9P <km9p@contesting.com> Thu Apr 25 18:07:37 1996
From: Bill Fisher KM9P <km9p@contesting.com> (Bill Fisher KM9P)
Subject: This location is or was perfect?
Message-ID: <Pine.BSD/.3.91.960425130226.24582B-100000@paris.akorn.net>
Felipe:
Put up the towers.
Put antennas on the towers.
Operate the radio.
You'll be loud. I operated at KP2A (the last operation before the BIG
hurricane). I doubt the hilltop you are looking at is more severe of a
drop than John's. The antennas worked great.
Trey & I found it interesting that a little 2 ele Cushcraft at about 40'
was just about as good as a 4 element full sized up high. If I were you
I would up some short towers. 25' for 10M, 30' for 15M, 55' for 20M, and
60' for 40M. It'll be easier to put them back up when they blow down.
73
Bill
>From Walter Deemer <ac1o@gate.net> Thu Apr 25 18:14:58 1996
From: Walter Deemer <ac1o@gate.net> (Walter Deemer)
Subject: KA9FOX Wins Prestigious Award
Message-ID: <199604251714.NAA113904@osceola.gate.net>
Friend Steve Leuthold publishes a monthly investment strategy piece for
institutional investors. Each issue includes a "Joke Of The Month" CONTEST,
and Wall Street types the world over vie with each other to win this
prestigious award -- and the coveted blue ribbon that goes along with it.
Through the years, I have won no fewer than five such blue ribbons -- the
all-time record. Thus, while KA9FOX and I were designing my web site last
winter, I asked Scott to incorporate a "Best Joke Of The Month" page, where
submissions for subsequent "best jokes" were encouraged. Scott, inspired,
proffered a joke of his own -- and it won Leuthold's April "Joke Of The
Month" CONTEST in a walk! I have forwarded the blue ribbon to KA9FOX, and
I'm sure he will have it on display in the Sultans Of Schwing CONTEST suite
next month.
(The joke? Sorry, OM's -- not on the CONTEST reflector! You'll have to get
it from Scott (neader@centuryinter.net); it's also available on my web site
at: http://www.4w.com/deemer/jokemar.htm
-- Congratulations, Scott, and 73 de Walt, AC1O
>From Bernie McClenny, WR3E" <bernie.mcclenny@mail.wdn.com Thu Apr 25 22:37:08
>1996
From: Bernie McClenny, WR3E" <bernie.mcclenny@mail.wdn.com (Bernie McClenny,
WR3E)
Subject: The Ultimate Sacrifice To The RF Gods
>From: ac1o@gate.net
>To: Bernie McClenny
>Subject: The Ultimate Sacrifice To The RF Gods
>
>WASHINGTON, April 25 (AP) -- For many years, it has been secretively
>whispered among certain East Coast contest operators -- a very select few of
>them -- that W3LPL, VERY late at night, offers the sacrifice of a maiden YL
>operator to the RF Gods whenever he installs a new tower.
>
>This myth, of course, is completely unconfirmed. It is interesting to note,
>however, that in recent years there is no instance of a maiden YL operator
>renewing her membership in the Potomac Valley Radio Club for a second year.
>
>-- 73 de Walt, AC1O/4 (AP): "AC1O Press"
>
Glenwood, April 25 (E) Earlier today the (AP) reported the above. However
I can asure you the next tower Frank puts up will not be done this way. As
the next tower he will put up will be a 115' in his next door neighbors
yard. If the Lady ham who lives next door finds out about this, the tower
will not go up! I will be keeping a eye outside between now and Saturday
morning to see if Frank really does the above. de Bernie, WR3E (One of the
hams next door to W3LPL)
**************************************************************************
* Bernie McClenny, WR3E (ex WB3JRU) *
* bernie.mcclenny@mail.wdn.com *
* Promise Keeper <>< *
* But as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 *
**************************************************************************
>From millersg@dmapub.dma.org (Steve Miller) Thu Apr 25 19:05:25 1996
From: millersg@dmapub.dma.org (Steve Miller) (Steve Miller)
Subject: TA software (was: This location is or was perfect?)
Message-ID: <m0uCVPx-00028MC@dmapub.dma.org>
Contesters,
This is a follow up of my response to Felipe, NP4Z, concerning terrain and
propagation modeling by computer. In particular I listed a few
shortcomings terrain analysis (UTD-based) codes experienced by my
coworkers (and myself to a lesser extent). This list was also based on an
early version of N6BV's YTAD program which I understand has been improved.
I mentioned K6STI's TA program in passing although I had no direct
experience with it. Brian was kind enough to Email me with some
implementation details which were more advanced than I had anticipated.
I'd like to set the record straight concerning TA. Brian deserves alot of
credit for TA which is very well thought out and thorough.
> There are a few other shortcomings with these terrain models:
>
> - you are modeling 3-D terrain with a 2-D profile.
Still a limitation (IMO) but as Brian states "This isn't as often a
limitation as you might expect." which is true. The TA software was
checked versus measured data for some challenging terrain profiles -
accuracy exceeded that of a 3-D NEC/BSC model.
> - the terrain is modelled as straight line segments (somewhat inaccurate)
K6STI: "UTD is insensitive to linear-slope approximation unless gross
variations in terrain are ignored."
You can also experiment in TA by breaking each line segments into smaller
segments to better approximate a curved shaped and look for changes in the
elevation pattern.
> - UTD diffraction is based on wedge angle (angle between two line
> segments) which is determined by discretization the elevation profile,
> most terrain is smoother than the distinct angles used in the model
K6STI: "Yes it is, but this doesn't affect results much."
> - I'm not certain, bit I suspect the UTD diffraction terms are for
> perfectly conducting ground
I was wrong here - TA uses the proper diffraction terms for 'real ground'.
> - diffration effects between changes in ground conductivy (i.e.
> earth/sea) are not modelled
K6STI: True, but this is significant only for vertical polarization.
> - the terrain illumination (antenna) model in YTAD is an approximation
> (not sure about TA)
TA implements proper terrain illumination based on free space antenna models
> - no 'double-diffraction' terms are included
Oops I was wrong again:
K6STI: "This is true for YTAD but not for TA."
In summary, K6STI has done an excellent job developing the TA software. I
apologize if the previous statements concerning my experience with YTAD (and
other UTD codes) were generalized in a sense unfair to TA. For those of
you with significant terrain features, TA is probably your best bet to
determine how it impacts antenna performance.
I hope I didn't cause too much mis-information!
73,
--
Steve Miller WD8IXE
millersg@dma.org
http://www.dma.org/~millersg
>From Swanson, Glenn, KB1GW" <gswanson@arrl.org Thu Apr 25 19:15:00 1996
From: Swanson, Glenn, KB1GW" <gswanson@arrl.org (Swanson, Glenn, KB1GW)
Subject: This location is or was perfect?
Message-ID: <317FC154@arrl.org>
But what about differing propagation?
I'd try N6BV's "YTAD" program...much less sweat involved!
(Did the original poster say this program was used?
What was the result from YTAD? Specifics?)
73, Glenn, KB1GW
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>Brian's points well taken... So get your IC-706 and a battery, and a
portable
>dipole, and work your way up the mountain, checking propagation every few
>hundred feet... Doing this a half dozen times will tell you far more than
any
>amount of computer crunching....
>
>Denny
>
>From k8mr@barf80.nshore.org (Jim Stahl) Thu Apr 25 19:02:59 1996
From: k8mr@barf80.nshore.org (Jim Stahl) (Jim Stahl)
Subject: Silver Anniversary
Message-ID: <oBDymD1w165w@barf80.nshore.org>
As many of us are having a strange feeling about the approaching
final weekend of April with no trips planned, we observe a
notable anniversary. It was 25 years ago, April 24, 1971, that
the Mad River Radio Club was formed at a meeting at the VJ
Pancake House in downtown Dayton.
While we're still whippersnappers compared to certain contest
clubs in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., it's sobering (at
least to me!) that this one time upstart contest club is now
eligible for QCWA!
The MRRC is again hosting a Dayton hospitality suite Friday and
Saturday evening, Suite 425 at Stouffers. Stop by (in three
weeks) and help us celebrate.
Jim Stahl K8MR k8mr@barf80.nshore.org
----------------------------
Jim Stahl
InterNet: k8mr@barf80.nshore.org
Basic Amateur Radio Frequency, BARF-80 +1 216/237-8208
"Totally devoted to Amateur Radio" - 24 Hrs a day 8/N/1 14.4k-300 baud
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