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Re: Topband: FT-8 vs CW

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: FT-8 vs CW
From: Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:39:34 -0400
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Hi Rick,

I don't have a memory keyer. I do intend to set up a computer or something to make the calls (CQ) while I do other things near the radios. When somebody replies it will be back to sending by hand for me.

I do prefer CW. I am not even sure where a working mic is hidden - I think I have two or three. But hams who want to work ft-8 or other digital stuff are fine with me. I have noticed they are NOT in my way. I am not in their way:)

I even tune to their signals to see who I can hear just to get a 'real time' idea about propagation. That is far from useless. But making QSOs that way is more boring for me than watching paint dry. Contest "QSOs" too. But never say never:) I have been know to add a few "contacts" in contests.

73,

Bill  KU8H

On 4/24/19 1:12 PM, rick darwicki via Topband wrote:
So how many of us still send the whole QSO with a key?Buttons on my Pro III do most 
of the work (like mouse clicks with FT-8), I only send the other station's call 
(like typing it in with FT-8)
I have a friend here in Yorba Linda running 100W to a short vertical that never worked 
east of the Mississippi on CW.He now has about 25 DXCC using FT-8. There are times when 
you cannot even hear an audio tone and you still make a "QSO"
DX on 160 is like a DX-pedition   5NN, RR ur 5NN 73 dit dit.
I can count on one hand the QSO's where someone sent OP HR Roger running 1KW to 
phased verticals and 500 foot beverage NE/SW
Countless people have told me they never get on 160 because there is never 
anyone on, except during ARRL and CQ contests.More and more are getting on 
because there always seems to be guys on FT-8.
My DXCC on 160 is all CW and I may have worked a few SSB stations during 
contests, only locals on SSB otherwise.
If there is a country I need, I'll work it ANY mode.
The problem is FT-8 is supposed to be a low power mode and naturally some are 
running 1 KW and swamping the little guys
No matter who is in the White House, it hasn't changed how I live or how often 
I go out to eat. FT-8 isn't going to change my enjoyment of ham radio.
SSB, PSK, EME, AM, Slow Scan TV etc have all fought their battles.
If FT-8 was at 1895 or prohibited during contest weekends, we probably wouldn't 
even know it was on the band.

Rick N6PE

======================================================================


Dying is easy, the hard part is living






     On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 11:21:48 PM PDT, topband-request@contesting.com 
<topband-request@contesting.com> wrote:
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     topband@contesting.com

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     http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
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     topband-owner@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22 (Andree DL8LAS)
   2. Re: Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22 (daraymond@iowatelecom.net)
   3. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (Victor Goncharsky)
   4. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (uy0zg)
   5. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (VE6WZ_Steve)
   6. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (GEORGE WALLNER)
   7. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (Mike Waters)
   8. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (W7RH)
   9. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (Mike Waters)
   10. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (uy0zg)
   11. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (uy0zg)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 16:50:57 +0000 (UTC)
From: Andree DL8LAS <dl8las@aol.com>
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22
Message-ID: <1521797704.3392014.1556038257627@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8


Hey topbanders,
I am also every morning 2:30 UTC? on 160m CW, check at first W1AW beacon? 
1802,5 Mhz. Signal is mostly clear RST 559.
Than i call CQ and check RBN, the NA skimmer received me from 10-24dB. But no 
answer from NA stations. Conditions are not bad, so please listen more for DX 
from EU.
vy 73? Andy DL8LAS

www.dl8las.de

www.dl8las.com
On Dienstag, 23 April, 2019 topband-request <topband@contesting.com> wrote:
Send Topband mailing list submissions to
??? topband@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
??? http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
??? topband-request@contesting.com

You can reach the person managing the list at
??? topband-owner@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..."


Today's Topics:

? 1. Lack of NA Activity on CW (Roger Kennedy)
? 2. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (lennart.michaelsson@telia.com)
? 3. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (Peter Sundberg)
? 4. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (uy0zg)
? 5. Re: Fresnel Zone (Emir Memic)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 09:16:30 +0100
From: "Roger Kennedy" <roger@wessexproductions.co.uk>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <BF4E50FA22DA4134B83EBE8FC8BC8A57@Packard>
Content-Type: text/plain;??? charset="us-ascii"


I get that many stations only use FT8 these days (out of laziness?) . . .

But there are plenty of Top Band DXers (like me) who would never ever use
FT8 . . . but many of these people hardly ever come on the band !

It takes a pretty big setup to have a decent 160m DX station . . . what's
the point in having invested all that time and money if the only time you
ever come on the band is to work some DX-pedition?!

Personally, what gives me a buzz is working ANY station on 160m more than a
couple of thousand miles away. (it's the only band where that's actually an
achievement).

I don't care how many times I've worked that station before . . . and I also
don't waste hours trying to get through a pile-up to work a DX-pedition
station, as I'm really not bothered (I've usually already worked the island
they're on anyway)

It's becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy . . . If nobody makes the effort to
come on the band on CW, there will be nobody on the band !!

Roger G3YRO




------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:25:24 +0200
From: <lennart.michaelsson@telia.com>
To: "'Roger Kennedy'" <roger@wessexproductions.co.uk>,
??? <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <002501d4f9ae$1a2783d0$4e768b70$@telia.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;??? charset="iso-8859-1"

Roger et al,
I was on early this morning and even checked in on? ON4KST.
Called a few CQ DX on 1826.5 without response so back to bed. Yet I did see
quite a few US callsigns on the chat. Perhaps they never check out?

73 all
Len SM7BIC

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Fr?n: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> F?r Roger Kennedy
Skickat: den 23 april 2019 10:17
Till: topband@contesting.com
?mne: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW


I get that many stations only use FT8 these days (out of laziness?) . . .

But there are plenty of Top Band DXers (like me) who would never ever use
FT8 . . . but many of these people hardly ever come on the band !

It takes a pretty big setup to have a decent 160m DX station . . . what's
the point in having invested all that time and money if the only time you
ever come on the band is to work some DX-pedition?!

Personally, what gives me a buzz is working ANY station on 160m more than a
couple of thousand miles away. (it's the only band where that's actually an
achievement).

I don't care how many times I've worked that station before . . . and I also
don't waste hours trying to get through a pile-up to work a DX-pedition
station, as I'm really not bothered (I've usually already worked the island
they're on anyway)

It's becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy . . . If nobody makes the effort to
come on the band on CW, there will be nobody on the band !!

Roger G3YRO


_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:17:20 +0000
From: Peter Sundberg <sm2cew@telia.com>
To: <lennart.michaelsson@telia.com>,??? "'Roger Kennedy'"
??? <roger@wessexproductions.co.uk>, <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <mailman.14.1556035203.29506.topband@contesting.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed

Let's ponder:

FT8 - everyone is on ONE center frequency
(passband) and their computer is transmitting
every 15 seconds for hours on end, regardless if
they are in contact with another computer or not
FT8 - all the computers that are "hearing" other
computers are making use of the built in 50 Hz filter in FT8
FT8 - computers "heard" are lined up and presented nicely sorted on the screeen
FT8 - some computers that are not fully copied
are still presented as "heard" by use of the "a priori" functionality
FT8 - listening in by ear on 1840 it sure sounds like high activity

CW - people call CQ on an unspecified frequency, sometimes with long interrupts
CW - listeners can't easily surf the band and dig
in the noise in 50 Hz bandwidth
CW - without knowledge of who is where we need
good signals to attract our attention and so we can start focusing
CW - summer conditions vary, but one thing is for
sure, the noise is certainly higher and many have
taken their microscopes (receiving antennas) down for the season
CW - many of us also have to live with a less
effective TX antenna during the summer as we have
to roll in our extensive radial field
CW - the KST chat list a lot of interesting and
capable stations but most of them don't transmit every 15 seconds
CW - not all who are active announce themselves on KST


Bottom line:

CW - it sure would be easier for us to only
monitor a specific world wide calling frequency, but this is not realistic
CW - we have to accept that it is more difficult
to do manual CW than single channel FT8 for reasons described above
CW - if we transmit more we will be heard :-)
CW - we are not lazy operators, we still love CW
and continue to make noise whenever we can, despite the problems listed above
CW - we take on a challenge, we don't give up
CW- we look at the surrounding actors in a
realistic way and realize what they are doing,
duly noting that our table has better food
CW - we fully admire our colleagues in the
southern hemisphere for being there all the time
during our prime season up north!

CW is King!

73
Peter SM2CEW





At 08:25 2019-04-23, lennart.michaelsson@telia.com wrote:
Roger et al,
I was on early this morning and even checked in on? ON4KST.
Called a few CQ DX on 1826.5 without response so back to bed. Yet I did see
quite a few US callsigns on the chat. Perhaps they never check out?

73 all
Len SM7BIC

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Fr?n: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> F?r Roger Kennedy
Skickat: den 23 april 2019 10:17
Till: topband@contesting.com
?mne: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW


I get that many stations only use FT8 these days (out of laziness?) . . .

But there are plenty of Top Band DXers (like me) who would never ever use
FT8 . . . but many of these people hardly ever come on the band !

It takes a pretty big setup to have a decent 160m DX station . . . what's
the point in having invested all that time and money if the only time you
ever come on the band is to work some DX-pedition?!

Personally, what gives me a buzz is working ANY station on 160m more than a
couple of thousand miles away. (it's the only band where that's actually an
achievement).

I don't care how many times I've worked that station before . . . and I also
don't waste hours trying to get through a pile-up to work a DX-pedition
station, as I'm really not bothered (I've usually already worked the island
they're on anyway)

It's becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy . . . If nobody makes the effort to
come on the band on CW, there will be nobody on the band !!

Roger G3YRO


_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector




------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 14:29:44 +0300
From: uy0zg <uy0zg@mksat.net>
To: Topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <63c84756a384fdf4a29c0ed9846c7100@mksat.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Hi All


Victor
you need to stop listening to dx via the internet!

When will you make an RX antenna?


The availability and use of RX antennas is a great pleasure.

Here is an example of the antenna Anatoly UT2XQ

http://www.topband.in.ua/2019/04/22/ut2xq-antennas/

---
Nick, UY0ZG
http://www.topband.in.ua

Victor Goncharsky via Topband ????? 2019-04-23 10:23:
This is not always the case. I have noticed long openings to Caribbean
during last year 6m season with signal levels good enough for reliable
CW QSOs but only FT8 portion of the band was alive.
Will see what will happen this year. Top band game is almost over with
the last 3 new ones worked in April (but missed XR0) so 6m antenna is
on its way to the tower this week.


73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, ex UB5WE), P.E.
UARL Technical and VHF Committies
DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone), 9BDXCC, 8BWAS
DXCC card checker (160 meters).
_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
Reflector


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:56:41 +0000
From: Emir Memic <emir.memic@emssolutions.at>
To: Ray Higgins <ray.w2re@gmail.com>, "topband@contesting.com"
??? <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Fresnel Zone
Message-ID:
??? 
<DBBPR08MB487006D532CE43D192F8EECB82230@DBBPR08MB4870.eurprd08.prod.outlook.com>
???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Ray,

If we are talking about horizontal polarized antennas
You cant be high enough on 80m/160m
And there is no needs to think a lot about effects of fresnel zone on 160/80

Not even with 300m high tower

Of course if there are no uphills around you .....but so far understand you
That location is free with slight slope around

In my mind its? important to have flat or homogeny slope in desired direction
Effect of excellent soil is not so critical for ground reflection if you are 
using horizontal polarized antennas!

On other side for vertical antennas soil is more important but directly under 
the antennas and in closed flied!

In simple words if you can have antenna in saltwater or very close to it put it 
in

If you are far away from good soil with vertical (even 1 wavelength) you will 
need standard numbers of radials under the antenna!

Iif you are on flat terrain with excellent soil you will need very large 
antenna on high tower to outperform 4SQ on 80m !

On 160m is non sense to even try something else than vertical or vertical arrays


73s
Braco
E77DX


--
Emir Memic
EMS SOLUTIONS
K?hlergasse 12/3
1180 Wien
+4369919227041
emir.memic@emssolutions.at

-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> Im Auftrag von Ray Higgins
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 18. April 2019 16:49
An: topband@contesting.com
Betreff: Topband: Fresnel Zone

I have two questions about fresnel zone.

I just purchased 22.5/ac near the ocean near Machiasport, ME. This is in the 
Northeast corner of Maine about 30 miles south of Eastport and a Lubec. This is 
going to be my personal Remote Contest station! I plan to be contesting from 
this new qth starting in 2020 but will be QRV by mid 2019 for testing.
This qth is anywhere between 1-3 miles from the ocean or the bay, it sits on a 
high plateau 150? asl thats slopes in all directions to saltwater (peninsula) 
except N/NW. The property has a saltwater river and marsh that runs the 
perimeter from south to north favoring the NE direction,? the marsh is only 
50-100' wide and 1500-2000? away from the property. The land has a gradual 
slope to the marsh.

My questions:

1.) Is the saltwater river bed/marsh wide enough to be an effective field in 
the Fresnal Zone?
2.) What is the wavelengths needed to be within the Fresnal zone of a 
river/marsh compared to an ocean?

In this photo album (last pic) I have outlined the river saltwater marsh and 
property boundry from a google earth shot. 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ui79t2jFo95b29et6

I?m only concerned about 80 and 160m in the Fresnal Zone.

Any input would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Ray W2RE
Sent from my iPhone
_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

------------------------------

Subject: Digest Footer

_______________________________________________
Topband mailing list
Topband@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband


------------------------------

End of Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22
****************************************


------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:27:29 -0500
From: <daraymond@iowatelecom.net>
To: "Andree DL8LAS" <dl8las@aol.com>,    <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22
Message-ID: <5A32F88697EF42009870AA61E60DC49A@DavidBrentPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8";
     reply-type=original

Andy, et al. . . I will try to be more diligent about getting on with my
modest off-season antenna system.      73. . . Dave, W0FLS

-----Original Message-----
From: Andree DL8LAS via Topband
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 11:50 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22


Hey topbanders,
I am also every morning 2:30 UTC  on 160m CW, check at first W1AW beacon
1802,5 Mhz. Signal is mostly clear RST 559.
Than i call CQ and check RBN, the NA skimmer received me from 10-24dB. But
no answer from NA stations. Conditions are not bad, so please listen more
for DX from EU.
vy 73  Andy DL8LAS

www.dl8las.de

www.dl8las.com
On Dienstag, 23 April, 2019 topband-request <topband@contesting.com> wrote:
Send Topband mailing list submissions to
     topband@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
     http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
     topband-request@contesting.com

You can reach the person managing the list at
     topband-owner@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. Lack of NA Activity on CW (Roger Kennedy)
   2. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (lennart.michaelsson@telia.com)
   3. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (Peter Sundberg)
   4. Re: Lack of NA Activity on CW (uy0zg)
   5. Re: Fresnel Zone (Emir Memic)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 09:16:30 +0100
From: "Roger Kennedy" <roger@wessexproductions.co.uk>
To: <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <BF4E50FA22DA4134B83EBE8FC8BC8A57@Packard>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"


I get that many stations only use FT8 these days (out of laziness?) . . .

But there are plenty of Top Band DXers (like me) who would never ever use
FT8 . . . but many of these people hardly ever come on the band !

It takes a pretty big setup to have a decent 160m DX station . . . what's
the point in having invested all that time and money if the only time you
ever come on the band is to work some DX-pedition?!

Personally, what gives me a buzz is working ANY station on 160m more than a
couple of thousand miles away. (it's the only band where that's actually an
achievement).

I don't care how many times I've worked that station before . . . and I also
don't waste hours trying to get through a pile-up to work a DX-pedition
station, as I'm really not bothered (I've usually already worked the island
they're on anyway)

It's becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy . . . If nobody makes the effort to
come on the band on CW, there will be nobody on the band !!

Roger G3YRO




------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:25:24 +0200
From: <lennart.michaelsson@telia.com>
To: "'Roger Kennedy'" <roger@wessexproductions.co.uk>,
     <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <002501d4f9ae$1a2783d0$4e768b70$@telia.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"

Roger et al,
I was on early this morning and even checked in on  ON4KST.
Called a few CQ DX on 1826.5 without response so back to bed. Yet I did see
quite a few US callsigns on the chat. Perhaps they never check out?

73 all
Len SM7BIC

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Fr?n: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> F?r Roger Kennedy
Skickat: den 23 april 2019 10:17
Till: topband@contesting.com
?mne: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW


I get that many stations only use FT8 these days (out of laziness?) . . .

But there are plenty of Top Band DXers (like me) who would never ever use
FT8 . . . but many of these people hardly ever come on the band !

It takes a pretty big setup to have a decent 160m DX station . . . what's
the point in having invested all that time and money if the only time you
ever come on the band is to work some DX-pedition?!

Personally, what gives me a buzz is working ANY station on 160m more than a
couple of thousand miles away. (it's the only band where that's actually an
achievement).

I don't care how many times I've worked that station before . . . and I also
don't waste hours trying to get through a pile-up to work a DX-pedition
station, as I'm really not bothered (I've usually already worked the island
they're on anyway)

It's becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy . . . If nobody makes the effort to
come on the band on CW, there will be nobody on the band !!

Roger G3YRO


_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 10:17:20 +0000
From: Peter Sundberg <sm2cew@telia.com>
To: <lennart.michaelsson@telia.com>,    "'Roger Kennedy'"
     <roger@wessexproductions.co.uk>, <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <mailman.14.1556035203.29506.topband@contesting.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed

Let's ponder:

FT8 - everyone is on ONE center frequency
(passband) and their computer is transmitting
every 15 seconds for hours on end, regardless if
they are in contact with another computer or not
FT8 - all the computers that are "hearing" other
computers are making use of the built in 50 Hz filter in FT8
FT8 - computers "heard" are lined up and presented nicely sorted on the
screeen
FT8 - some computers that are not fully copied
are still presented as "heard" by use of the "a priori" functionality
FT8 - listening in by ear on 1840 it sure sounds like high activity

CW - people call CQ on an unspecified frequency, sometimes with long
interrupts
CW - listeners can't easily surf the band and dig
in the noise in 50 Hz bandwidth
CW - without knowledge of who is where we need
good signals to attract our attention and so we can start focusing
CW - summer conditions vary, but one thing is for
sure, the noise is certainly higher and many have
taken their microscopes (receiving antennas) down for the season
CW - many of us also have to live with a less
effective TX antenna during the summer as we have
to roll in our extensive radial field
CW - the KST chat list a lot of interesting and
capable stations but most of them don't transmit every 15 seconds
CW - not all who are active announce themselves on KST


Bottom line:

CW - it sure would be easier for us to only
monitor a specific world wide calling frequency, but this is not realistic
CW - we have to accept that it is more difficult
to do manual CW than single channel FT8 for reasons described above
CW - if we transmit more we will be heard :-)
CW - we are not lazy operators, we still love CW
and continue to make noise whenever we can, despite the problems listed
above
CW - we take on a challenge, we don't give up
CW- we look at the surrounding actors in a
realistic way and realize what they are doing,
duly noting that our table has better food
CW - we fully admire our colleagues in the
southern hemisphere for being there all the time
during our prime season up north!

CW is King!

73
Peter SM2CEW





At 08:25 2019-04-23, lennart.michaelsson@telia.com wrote:
Roger et al,
I was on early this morning and even checked in on  ON4KST.
Called a few CQ DX on 1826.5 without response so back to bed. Yet I did see
quite a few US callsigns on the chat. Perhaps they never check out?

73 all
Len SM7BIC

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Fr?n: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> F?r Roger Kennedy
Skickat: den 23 april 2019 10:17
Till: topband@contesting.com
?mne: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW


I get that many stations only use FT8 these days (out of laziness?) . . .

But there are plenty of Top Band DXers (like me) who would never ever use
FT8 . . . but many of these people hardly ever come on the band !

It takes a pretty big setup to have a decent 160m DX station . . . what's
the point in having invested all that time and money if the only time you
ever come on the band is to work some DX-pedition?!

Personally, what gives me a buzz is working ANY station on 160m more than a
couple of thousand miles away. (it's the only band where that's actually an
achievement).

I don't care how many times I've worked that station before . . . and I
also
don't waste hours trying to get through a pile-up to work a DX-pedition
station, as I'm really not bothered (I've usually already worked the island
they're on anyway)

It's becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy . . . If nobody makes the effort
to
come on the band on CW, there will be nobody on the band !!

Roger G3YRO


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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 14:29:44 +0300
From: uy0zg <uy0zg@mksat.net>
To: Topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <63c84756a384fdf4a29c0ed9846c7100@mksat.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Hi All


Victor
you need to stop listening to dx via the internet!

When will you make an RX antenna?


The availability and use of RX antennas is a great pleasure.

Here is an example of the antenna Anatoly UT2XQ

http://www.topband.in.ua/2019/04/22/ut2xq-antennas/

---
Nick, UY0ZG
http://www.topband.in.ua

Victor Goncharsky via Topband ????? 2019-04-23 10:23:
This is not always the case. I have noticed long openings to Caribbean
during last year 6m season with signal levels good enough for reliable
CW QSOs but only FT8 portion of the band was alive.
Will see what will happen this year. Top band game is almost over with
the last 3 new ones worked in April (but missed XR0) so 6m antenna is
on its way to the tower this week.


73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, ex UB5WE), P.E.
UARL Technical and VHF Committies
DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone), 9BDXCC, 8BWAS
DXCC card checker (160 meters).
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:56:41 +0000
From: Emir Memic <emir.memic@emssolutions.at>
To: Ray Higgins <ray.w2re@gmail.com>, "topband@contesting.com"
     <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Fresnel Zone
Message-ID:
     
<DBBPR08MB487006D532CE43D192F8EECB82230@DBBPR08MB4870.eurprd08.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Ray,

If we are talking about horizontal polarized antennas
You cant be high enough on 80m/160m
And there is no needs to think a lot about effects of fresnel zone on 160/80

Not even with 300m high tower

Of course if there are no uphills around you .....but so far understand you
That location is free with slight slope around

In my mind its  important to have flat or homogeny slope in desired
direction
Effect of excellent soil is not so critical for ground reflection if you are
using horizontal polarized antennas!

On other side for vertical antennas soil is more important but directly
under the antennas and in closed flied!

In simple words if you can have antenna in saltwater or very close to it put
it in

If you are far away from good soil with vertical (even 1 wavelength) you
will need standard numbers of radials under the antenna!

Iif you are on flat terrain with excellent soil you will need very large
antenna on high tower to outperform 4SQ on 80m !

On 160m is non sense to even try something else than vertical or vertical
arrays


73s
Braco
E77DX


--
Emir Memic
EMS SOLUTIONS
K?hlergasse 12/3
1180 Wien
+4369919227041
emir.memic@emssolutions.at

-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> Im Auftrag von Ray Higgins
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 18. April 2019 16:49
An: topband@contesting.com
Betreff: Topband: Fresnel Zone

I have two questions about fresnel zone.

I just purchased 22.5/ac near the ocean near Machiasport, ME. This is in the
Northeast corner of Maine about 30 miles south of Eastport and a Lubec. This
is going to be my personal Remote Contest station! I plan to be contesting
from this new qth starting in 2020 but will be QRV by mid 2019 for testing.
This qth is anywhere between 1-3 miles from the ocean or the bay, it sits on
a high plateau 150? asl thats slopes in all directions to saltwater
(peninsula) except N/NW. The property has a saltwater river and marsh that
runs the perimeter from south to north favoring the NE direction,  the marsh
is only 50-100' wide and 1500-2000? away from the property. The land has a
gradual slope to the marsh.

My questions:

1.) Is the saltwater river bed/marsh wide enough to be an effective field in
the Fresnal Zone?
2.) What is the wavelengths needed to be within the Fresnal zone of a
river/marsh compared to an ocean?

In this photo album (last pic) I have outlined the river saltwater marsh and
property boundry from a google earth shot.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ui79t2jFo95b29et6

I?m only concerned about 80 and 160m in the Fresnal Zone.

Any input would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Ray W2RE


Sent from my iPhone
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------------------------------

End of Topband Digest, Vol 196, Issue 22
****************************************
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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:32:01 +0300
From: Victor Goncharsky <us5we@bk.ru>
To: Topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Lack of NA Activity on CW
Message-ID: <1556040721.984334208@f545.i.mail.ru>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

I wonder if there's a moderator in this forum who can deal with this UY0ZG 
idiot, who was expelled from Ukrainian Contest Club,Black Sea Contest club, 
caused problems to the Ukrainian Amateur Radio League that resulted in creation 
of an alternative amateur radio orgainzation NGO VRL,
This guy is permanently blaming different amateurs including myself of all kinds of 
"sins".
I hope the administration of this forum can get rid of flame from this kind of 
people.
Thanks in advance,
73


???????, 23 ?????? 2019, 11:30 UTC ?? uy0zg <uy0zg@mksat.net>:

Hi All


Victor
you need to stop listening to dx via the internet!

When will you make an RX antenna?




--
bark less - wag more
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