FW: RE: Q on Multi Radio Beverages ?

frenaye at pcnet.com frenaye at pcnet.com
Fri Sep 22 19:56:52 EDT 1995


---------------Original Message---------------


We've been using a Y-cable to split the Beverage antennas to two radios here 
for the last two years, except for the two times we've borrowed an expensive 
looking splitter from a commercial lab.

Several operators gave me the evil eye about the Y-cable because one radio 
may grab more signal than the other (note my technical expertise here).  
Anyhow, K5FUV pointed me towards Mini-Circuits (13 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn 
NY 11235  718-934-4500).  They are clearly better prepared to deal with 
corporate customers and big orders but seemed happy to handle my small order 
using a credit card.  Ask for a catolog, they have other interesting stuff.

I ordered a couple of two port splitters (3db loss on each port) and one 
three port splitter (4.8db).  They come in very small packages either in a 
box or without one (with box they are in the $50 range).

PSC-2-1   2-port  0.1-400 MHz   20-25db isolation    $10.95   needs box
PSC-3-1   3-port  1.0-200 MHz   40-45db isolation    $23.95   needs box

Size: .75 x .38 x .20 inches 

Just buy a cheapo Radio Shack box and some connectors of your favorite 
variety.   And, with a new (second) Beverage field (of dreams) I may even 
have to try using one as a combiner instead of splitter.

73 Tom

------------------------------------------------------
E-mail: frenaye at pcnet.com  
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box 386, West Suffield CT 06093
Phone: 203-668-5444



----------End of Original Message----------

------------------------------------------------------
E-mail: frenaye at pcnet.com  
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box 386, West Suffield CT 06093
Phone: 203-668-5444



>From George Cook <george at epix.net>  Sat Sep 23 01:08:29 1995
From: George Cook <george at epix.net> (George Cook)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 20:08:29 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Uniques & CQWW (Was Skeds)
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950922200419.5413A-100000 at grape.epix.net>

On Thu, 21 Sep 1995, Doug Klein wrote:
> 
> About 10 of the 12 marked qsos as uniques he got qsl cards to prove they 
> were correct as logged.  The other 2 were maybe questionable.
> 
> Of the 10 that were definately good, a few reasons possibly existed.  Don is 
> friends with lots of the OH gang (and lots of others all over the world).  Some 
> of them just get on and casually operate.  Maybe make a half dozen qsos or 
> so and turn the rig off.  They just get on and work a few of their friends.  Not
> to pump up their scores, just to say howdy to an old friend.
> 
> Another reason included a few LOCALS who had called him and truthfully
> only made one or two qsos in the contest.  

Heres a few other points I would like to add
In the EU field day I made exactly 2 contacts.  Just didn't feel like 
playing that day so I quit  I suppose that I am a unique call?
What about the Italian contest I made one call.  From the car then the 
XYL told me that she had enough of that raquet at home and blah blah 
blah.....click!  end of my participation   in the contest.

Now what happens if my friend AA3JA gets on and makes a few Qs?  He is a 
well known contester too.  An his call and mine are EXACTLY 1 dit different.

Gotta be a better way.

*************************************************
* George Cook   AA3JU  Bangor, PA  FN21         *
* george at peach.epix.net  AA3JU at N3IQD.EPA.USA.NA *
* If you're not FRC remember:...............    *
* .......There's no shame in being 2nd best!    *
*************************************************


>From k2mm at MasPar.COM (John Zapisek K2MM)  Sat Sep 23 01:23:59 1995
From: k2mm at MasPar.COM (John Zapisek K2MM) (John Zapisek K2MM)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 95 17:23:59 PDT
Subject: SS Expeditions
Message-ID: <9509230023.AA00861 at greylock.local>

> [Tree/N6TR]  Is anyone planning to go to KP2 for SS CW?  It just might be
> that there will be zero clean sweeps this time around?

With all the abuse that's heaped upon anyone who wins SS from the Caribbean,
why would anyone bother?  73.  --John/K2MM

P.S. :-)

>From George Cook <george at epix.net>  Sat Sep 23 01:24:22 1995
From: George Cook <george at epix.net> (George Cook)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 20:24:22 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Uniques
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950922202110.906A-100000 at mango.epix.net>

On Thu, 21 Sep 1995, N7AVK wrote:

>     2: Since there are significant "lulls" in the action here in RF free 
> Zone 3 due to the lack of sun activity, I will ask stations I hear 
> kibbitzing if they will exchange the contest exchange with me. Some 
> respond with eloquent condemnation of contesters in general and me in 
> particular. Most respond favorably and they go into my log. Perhaps to be 
> a unique, perhaps to become curious and seek out other Q's or perhaps to 
> tell their friends about our contest Q and pique their interest.
>     Again I don't believe it fair to take away these Q's. They are worked 
> for... they are fun...and they keep an operator awake.
>    Great thread... but my opinion is set on this one. Put my log through 
> the tightest scrutiny as the next contester... but don't uniformly 
> disallow unique Q's.  T'aint fair to the contesting spirit.

Yes in fact there is a local crew that hangs out on 28.485.  They hate DX 
and they hate contesting in fact they hate everything.  Except one thing 
they don't hate is asking me endless goofy questions about computers.  
And they will dutifully durring a stateside test give me and only me 
there hot calls. I can gurantee that no one else gets them.
Will I have to give those up?  I think I earned those points fair and square.

GC

*************************************************
* George Cook   AA3JU  Bangor, PA  FN21         *
* george at peach.epix.net  AA3JU at N3IQD.EPA.USA.NA *
* If you're not FRC remember:...............    *
* .......There's no shame in being 2nd best!    *
*************************************************


>From gdo at aloft.att.com (Glenn D. O'Donnell)  Fri Sep 22 19:46:05 1995
From: gdo at aloft.att.com (Glenn D. O'Donnell) (Glenn D. O'Donnell)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 95 14:46:05 EDT
Subject: 10/15/20 Stacking
Message-ID: <9509221846.AA00859 at dasher>

Several months ago I posted an inquiry titled "Antenna/Tower Advice Needed".
Your response has been phenomenal, thank you!  I can't believe it's been so
long and I have yet to begin construction.  Late projects at home seem to be
the norm for me these days.  The work projects have been taking priority.
Oh well, I do need bread on the table and antennas in the air.  I must now
act quickly to be ready for the CONTEST season.  I have little hope for
CQWW DX Phone, but I can still make it for the others.

I was considering a Force 12 C-3XL antenna to top the tower.  This is 3
monobanders interlaced on a single boom (3 el on 20, 3 el on 15 & 4 el on 10).
This looks like a NICE antenna that's built like a tank, but it's $1000.
I was willing to pay the price and was ready to order.  I happened to look
in the Force 12 catalog and noticed that I could by a 4 el monobander for
each of the three bands and pay the same price.

This would give me much better performance and more flexibility to grow
my antenna farm, as I plan to do.  This does, however, leave me with one
last dilemma before I move forward.  How do I best stack them atop my planned
60 foot 45G tower?  I'd like to stack the three in a "Christmas Tree" fashion.
I can move things around later as I grow, but at least it would get me on the
air for the winter.

The Force 12 guy recommended I go with the 4 el 20 and top it with one of
their Magnum 415/410 antennas.  This would minimize any coupling from the
10 & 15 being too close but drives the cost up still more.  Of course,
I can revert back to my original plan of the C-3XL or 5BA or even a C-4XL
and get 40m too.  Decisions, decisions!  At least I am certain of the vendor.
Everyone loves the Force 12 antennas, supporting my speculation all along.

Either way, I'm going to need a long, STRONG mast.  Can I do the "Tree"
with a 25 foot mast, leaving 5 feet inside the tower and doubling up the
thrust bearings?  Since the tower isn't up yet, I have the luxury of putting
the mast inside before I go up.

Thanks in advance ... again!  I'm still having fun with this project, although
I now find myself racing against Mother Nature ... and she HATES to lose!

Best 73 de Glenn, N3BDA
Future ex-AT&T employee ... as soon as they decide what to call us :-)

>From Randy Thompson <k5zd at iconics.com>  Sat Sep 23 03:26:54 1995
From: Randy Thompson <k5zd at iconics.com> (Randy Thompson)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 22:26:54 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: WRTC Nomination Process
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.91.950922221911.6654A-100000 at genesis.iconics.com>

I am forwarding the message below for those who are not members of one of 
the "annointed" clubs.  As I read it, looks like 10 clubs have the chance 
to nominate (it actually says choose) the 7 US participants to the WRTC 96.

I commend the WRTC Committee on looking for a way to "fairly" select the 
US team members.  They faced an extremely difficult and political process 
no matter how they tried to solve this.

At this point (I assume the final selection criteria will clarify this 
somewhat), it looks like you will need to do some national advertising to 
win a nomination. [Hey, vote for me!]

For those outside the US, it is my understanding that it is up to their 
national society to select their team.


Randy Thompson, K5ZD
k5zd at iconics.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 95 11:53:28 PDT
From: aa2du at netcom.com
To: AA1AA at ummed.edu, LKAY at pria.com, YCCC at eng.pko.dec.com,
    young at young.enet.dec.com, richardson at wrksys.enet.dec.com
Subject: FW: WRTC Nominations 


On Fri, 22 Sep 95 03:27 EST  David & Barbara Leeson wrote:
>Frankford Radio Club, KY3N 
>Mad River Contest Club, WD8LLD c/o K8CC
>North Coast Contest Club, K8CX c/o K3LR
>North Texas Contest Club, K5RX
>Northern California Contest Club, WM2C
>Potomac Valley Radio Club, KE3Q
>Society of Midwest Contesters, WB9TIY
>Southeast DX Club, KR4DL c/o N4XMX
>Southern California Contest Club, W9NQ
>Yankee Clipper Contest Club, AA2DU
>
>In recognition of your club's ranking and points totals in major contests 
>over the past several years, the organizers of the 1996 World Radiosport Team 
>Championship, WRTC-96, extend to your club the honor of nominating one of the 
>U.S. team leaders.
>
>The maximum of 52 two-operator teams for WRTC-96 will include 45 national 
>teams, allocated by an assessment of contest activity based on number of logs 
>submitted in recent ARRL and CQWW contests.  Ten of the national teams will 
>be chosen from the U.S.  Also, the winners of the 1990 WRTC will be invited 
>to defend their title, and there will be up to six wild-card teams. Each 
>national team leader will select a team partner from the same country and 
>wild-card team leaders will select from the same continent.  Entrants will 
>provide their own transportation to the San Francisco Bay area.
>
>The team leader chosen by your club may be a club member or not, as you 
>chose.  In order to emphasize that these are national teams, not part of an 
>interclub competition, we are intending to stipulate that a team leader not 
>chose a partner from the same club.  A U.S. team leader may chose as a 
>partner someone who has been nominated as a team leader by another club.  In 
>that case, we will ask the two clubs involved to agree on an alternate team 
>leader, who will then chose a partner.
>
>My records show that you are the current president of your club.  If I have 
>incorrect information, please forward this message to your club officers and 
>advise me as well.  If I did not have your e-mail address, I have sent this 
>through a member of your club for forwarding.
>
>At this point we are seeking your club's agreement to participate in the 
>nominating process, plus permission to be identified as one of the U.S. 
>nominating clubs in WRTC-96 public information.  Final details of the 
>selection process for U.S. teams will be available within a week, and WRTC-96 
>will make its formal request then for your nomination by a December deadline.
>
>We hope you will consult with your other officers and members, seeking to 
>nominate the strongest possible team leader.  In general, we are looking for 
>team members who have won recent major contests and will be capable of 
>competing on both CW and SSB at the level of the very best contesters in the 
>world.
>
>Thanks for your early favorable response, as we are moving quickly to be 
>ready for next year's July 13-14 WRTC-96 contest dates.  Please let me know 
>if you need any additional information, and congratulations on the selection 
>of your club as part of the nominating process.
>
>73 de Dave Leeson, W6QHS    554-3629 at mcimail.com    408-353-1927
>
>
>


J.P. Kleinhaus, AA2DU  ARRL CAC hudson Div. Rep.  
E-mail:              aa2du at netcom.com
Compu$erve:  74660,2606

It's not a bug...It's a feature!



--
Submissions:              yccc at eng.pko.dec.com
Administrative requests:  yccc-REQUEST at eng.pko.dec.com
Questions:                reisert at eng.pko.dec.com


>From ki8w <ki8w at freenet.grfn.org>  Sat Sep 23 05:44:23 1995
From: ki8w <ki8w at freenet.grfn.org> (ki8w)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 95 23:44:23 -0500
Subject: ytad
Message-ID: <9509230348.AA00073 at grfn.org>

-- [ From: ki8w * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

Sri to bring this up again.  
1..Did anyone save the YTAD postings?  I now am using the program and would
like to read them if anyone saved them.
2..Does anyone have the W8 prn file to use with it?  I thought I would ask
before sending in for the book.

Thanks de Barry/KI8W

>From n2ic at drmail.dr.att.com (LondonSM)  Fri Sep 22 20:09:17 1995
From: n2ic at drmail.dr.att.com (LondonSM) (LondonSM)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 13:09:17 -0600
Subject: Uniques and CQWW
Message-ID: <9509221309.ZM28484 at dr.att.com>


Okay gang, we have heard it from the CQWW committee....

You will NOT lose a QSO for working N4XMX, who worked no one else.

You will probably lose a QSO for working WB8AUB, when you happen to show up in
WD8AUB's log at the same time and band.

Can we please move on to another topic.

73,
Steve, N2IC/0
n2ic at dr.att.com

>From Doug Grant <0006008716 at mcimail.com>  Sat Sep 23 04:13:00 1995
From: Doug Grant <0006008716 at mcimail.com> (Doug Grant)
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 95 22:13 EST
Subject: Uniques, skeds
Message-ID: <45950923031354/0006008716NA4EM at MCIMAIL.COM>

Uniques

As WA8YVR so eloquently pointed out, the CQWW committee does not remove uniques
from logs just because they are uniques. Uniques can be an indicator of a fishy
log, but only genuine verifiable errors are removed.

Most of the big guns have pretty low unique rates (2% +/-). Since top scores
are often that close, accurate checking is essential.

OF course, since Bill Fisher has no friends (except for certain W1s who just
love to listen to him run guys...), he routinely has low uniques. If we removed
all uniques from all lgos, Bill's log would be reduced the least, and thus the
"contester with no friends" would win. So much for contesting promoting
international goodwill...

(Bill - I know you can take a joke - right???)

Is this over now?


PRe-contest (and other) skeds

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to operate at 4U1ITU. When I arrived, the
station manager handed me a post card with a lovely pen-and-ink drawing of a
curvaceous blonde in a negligee and the big caption "I'm OH0W. WOuld you like
to work me?". It was one of apparnetly hundreds of these cards sent out by the
OH0W crew to rare multipliers before the contest, and included times and freqs,
and a cellular phone number to call in order to get their attention if propagation
was a little soft.

I remember thinking at the time that these boys were stretching the intent of
the rules a bit. But, as has been pointed out, pre-contest skeds usually don't
work out, so making rules about them is probably moot.

Non-amateur means of contest QSO solicitation is a hot button with me. I think
people who do it are really bending the rules. I don't want to open the whole
"Is my packet node's landline/Internet connection legal?" debate, but what 
about setting up some gimmick that spots your run freq on a Web page somewhere
that "casuals" may see? Joe Casualop logs into AOL, finds a ham radio page that
tells him an interesting station is on 3745 listening up, and he turns the rig
on and works him. Is this OK?

Is it different than the VP2KC operation of many years ago, where one of the opsmanned a telephone all weekend calling up rare multipliers asking them to get on the air and work them?

Back when I chaired the CAC, we addressed the telephone solicitatin problem in
response to a guy from WYoming who was tired of getting phone calls in the
middle of the night during the ARRL DX Test from Europeans asking him to come
to 80M. We debated, and finally voted to outlaw this practice. However, the
Awards Committe chair at the time implemented the rule for the first time for
a VHF contest, whcih the CAC had specifically excluded, recognizing the common
practice of telephone alerting for unusual(and oft-unnnoticed) VHF/UHF band
openings. IT took a long time to untangle the mess, and get our intent into
the rules for the right contest.

ANyway, my opinion is that non-amateur means (other than unavoidable packet
backbone links beyond your own control) are unacceptable for solicitation of
QSOs during the contest period. Period.

Pre-contest soliciations are fine. If you want to waste your time and money,
that's your prerogative.

Post-contest solicitations are also fine (until time-travel is perfected...).


Disclaimer

These are my opinions (except for the stuff that is historical fact), and do
 not necesarily reflect the views of the CQWW Committee, past or present CAC
members, or the Dayton 2 AM PIzza Gang (proud sponsors of the CQWW Africa MS
SSB Trophy...). So there.

Doug  K1DG
k1dg at mcimail.com


>From k8mr at barf80.nshore.org (Jim Stahl)  Sat Sep 23 16:04:33 1995
From: k8mr at barf80.nshore.org (Jim Stahl) (Jim Stahl)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 95 11:04:33 EDT
Subject: Club Winners
Message-ID: <aqZVBD1w165w at barf80.nshore.org>

When the October QST arrived I quickly made it to the DX contest
results to encounter the contesters nightmare #1 - no score for
me!  My phone score was a hack around effort, but it turned out
that my 18 hour cw effort included enough 15 meter run time to
reach 718K - which would have been the top 8 land single op (no
packet) score and #3 in the Midwest region box.  I suspect I just
forgot to get the log out of my computer and off to ARRL.  Now
that the horses have left the barn, I have started a new
procedure: moving all the log files to a separate subdirectory
only *after* I have dispatched the log to the sponsor.
 
This score would have also been the Mad River club winner on cw. 
However, I'm not so sure this would have been appropriate.  More
points for the club were generated by K8MFO (800K in about the
same time), but Don was using packet.  My question: wouldn't it
make more sense to give the club certificate to the operator who
generates the most points for the club, whether using packet or
not?  Especially since a packet user is probably putting out
spots that assist the scores of other club members (and
nonmembers) as well as the club total?
 
I noticed several big clubs where the top assisted score beat the
top single op score, but the "club winner" was the lower scoring
single op score.  Is it time to put packet users on the same
footing as others in at least this one small area?
 

Jim  K8MR      k8mr at barf80.nshore.org

----------------------------
Jim Stahl
InterNet: k8mr at 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

>From Victor Burns <vburns at netcom.com>  Sat Sep 23 19:28:24 1995
From: Victor Burns <vburns at netcom.com> (Victor Burns)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 10:28:24 PST
Subject: Uniques & CQWW
Message-ID: <InterAp.3.1.a.19950923102824.2@>

On Friday, September 22, 1995 1:20:44 PM Rick Glisson wrote

I don't think they care if the N4[XXX] worked the DX, but the other way aro=
und!

> Do not throw out the uniques.  Many times if I have passed by the rig,
> peeked at the packet screen and seen a call I know.  I'll give them a 
> call,

[Stuff Deleted]

> i worked in that contest. I will not show up in any other log in that
> contest. Should my QSO be thrown out? I think not.
                  ^^^^^^
> Rick Glisson, N4XMX   SEDX   Atlanta, GA.
> rglisson at america.net

Victor Burns
KI6IM / V31VB
V31DX - The Cuba Libre Contest Club
Contest Globally...Drink Locally
 
> 
> 
Victor Burns
LOGIC NETWORK SOLUTIONS

>From J. S. Jarrett" <jjarrett at CapAccess.org  Sat Sep 23 22:31:16 1995
From: J. S. Jarrett" <jjarrett at CapAccess.org (J. S. Jarrett)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 17:31:16 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: No subject
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91-FP.950923173012.13349A-100000 at cap1.capaccess.org>

Is there a bbs where I can download CQ Contest forms?


Steve Jarrett, K4FJ
jjarrett at capaccess.org


>From Larry Tyree <tree at cmicro.com>  Sat Sep 23 22:32:27 1995
From: Larry Tyree <tree at cmicro.com> (Larry Tyree)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 14:32:27 -0700
Subject: Uniques
Message-ID: <199509232132.OAA07411 at cascade.cmicro.com>

> Now what happens if my friend AA3JA gets on and makes a few Qs?  He is a 
> well known contester too.  An his call and mine are EXACTLY 1 dit different.

1. Uniques are not removed from any contest I know of.  However, if you don't
send you log in, your QSOs won't count for the other station in the KCJ
cw contest (Keyman's Club of Japan).  

2. Unique QSOs are looked at.  People that have a significantly higher
percentage of uniques than other people will be looked at.  It can be a
sign that the person is getting a lot of calls wrong, or is making them up.

3. The CQ WW contest requires positive proof that a QSO is busted before
it is removed.

> Gotta be a better way.

There is, and it is being done.  There is a lot of mis-information 
flowing through this reflector about this issue.  It assumes the log
checkers don't understand these issues.  We really do!!

I guess we all need to repeat some more times:

Unique QSOs are NOT removed from logs.

Unique QSOs are NOT removed from logs.

Unique QSOs are NOT removed from logs.

Tree N6TR
tree at cmicro.com

>From sneader at mail.ctenet.com (Scott Neader, KA9FOX)  Sat Sep 23 23:12:26 1995
From: sneader at mail.ctenet.com (Scott Neader, KA9FOX) (Scott Neader, KA9FOX)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 17:12:26 -0500
Subject: SS Expeditions
Message-ID: <v01510102ac89f0a70926@[198.150.237.43]>

>> [Tree/N6TR]  Is anyone planning to go to KP2 for SS CW?  It just might be
>> that there will be zero clean sweeps this time around?
>
>With all the abuse that's heaped upon anyone who wins SS from the Caribbean,
>why would anyone bother?  73.  --John/K2MM

Hey... I resemble that remark.  :-)

- Scott

/^^\__________     Scott Neader, KA9FOX
\~~/          \         E-MAIL:  sneader at mail.ctenet.com
 \/\____,(  /\ |      WEB SITE:  http://www.infoanalytic.com/ka9fox/
   / \    \/| \|       ADDRESS:  3323 South 29th St., La Crosse, WI 54601
   |  \   / |            PHONE:  Work: (608)796-5032   Home: (608)788-8889



>From Phil Irons <ironsp at fox.nstn.ns.ca>  Sun Sep 24 01:13:43 1995
From: Phil Irons <ironsp at fox.nstn.ns.ca> (Phil Irons)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 20:13:43 -0400
Subject: EWE VS BEVERAGE
Message-ID: <199509232314.UAA29016 at Fox.NSTN.Ca>

At 09:33 1995/09/20 CST, you wrote:
>FROM: SAM EFFINGER  K9SD
>SUBJECT: EWE VS BEVERAGE
>I put up a EWE antenna and I also am constantly comparing it against the
>other guys on the cluster who have beverages and it's my opinion that
>a EWE is better than nothing but at no time compares to a beverage.
>
>    <snip>

Ok, I admit it! I'm ignorant!  Will someone out there not wielding a
flamethrower please tell me in words of one syllable (or less) what a
beverage and an EWE antenna are?  I am of the opinion (perhaps misguided)
that a beverage is a specialized type of long wire antenna used for
reception only.  The only reference I have for a ewe is a fuzzy critter that
is the raw material from which sweaters (and the fore-runners of my call
suffix) are made.

Potential flamers are invited to read my sig block before opening up...I
will not contest <g> any and all responses.

many thanks, & 73,

Phil Irons           VE1BVD at VE1PAK           ironsp at fox.nstn.ns.ca
       The only stupid question is the one you *DON'T* ask!


>From Jeff Singer <k0od at MO.NET>  Sun Sep 24 01:20:47 1995
From: Jeff Singer <k0od at MO.NET> (Jeff Singer)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 19:20:47 -0500
Subject: A peak at the TS-870
Message-ID: <199509240020.TAA28993 at Walden.MO.NET>

   A few days ago I posted a request for information about the 100dB of 
noise reduction claimed for the new Kenwood TS-870. Just what did the 
100dB reduction refer to?

   Today, I actually used a TS-870, and I'm still wondering! 
 
   Al, W0DRT just received his '870 yesterday, perhaps the first one 
shipped by HRO.  It cost $2699. Al, who has several other radios 
including a TS950SDX and a TS-850, lives in an area plagued by high 
power-line noise. He bought the '870 primarily because of the noise 
reduction claims. He tells me he now thinks the TS-870 is no better than 
his old radios in this regard.
   
   I stopped by Al's house for an hour this afternoon to try out the 
radio for myself. The '870 physically resembles my TS-850. The S-meter is 
curved but is still a crummy digital unit. One improvement in the '870 is 
that both frequencies are displayed during split operation. Also some 
minor controls, such as the light dimmer, have been mercifully removed 
from the 850's cluttered front panel.
 
   SSB selectivity is set by adjusting the separate high and low cut DSP 
controls.  This certainly takes some getting used to.  On CW, selectivity 
is available in about six bandwidth steps from 1000 hz down to 50 hz. The 
center frequency can also be selected in steps.

   About that "100 dB of noise reduction with no signal loss," I sure 
didn't notice it! Both Al and I thought the radio sounded pretty much 
like an '850 with an outboard Timewave filter, or whatever. 
 
   I took the TS-870 down to 75-meters and found the weakest signal I 
could detect amid all of Al's line noise and the usual atmospheric crud. 
Pushing the DSP noise reduction button did nothing in my opinion to make 
the station easier to copy! I tried it again, this time with my eye on 
the S-meter which showed well over S-9.  Pushing the DSP button didn't 
seem to reduce the noise level on the meter at all! 
   
   The TS-870 offers several improvements over the <$2000 TS-850. The 
'870 has a separate receiving antenna input, for example.  The Logikey 
keyer is a nice touch. But I don't think this new Kenwood represents a 
major improvement in transceiver performance at least from the standpoint 
of a DXer or contester.  
 
       -----------------------------
       Jeff K0OD  St. Louis, MO  USA
            e-mail:   k0od at mo.net
       -----------------------------


>From n3rr at cais.cais.com (Bill Hider)  Sun Sep 24 01:52:48 1995
From: n3rr at cais.cais.com (Bill Hider) (Bill Hider)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 20:52:48 -0400
Subject: EWE VS BEVERAGE
Message-ID: <199509240052.UAA11363 at cais.cais.com>

Phil, you are correct on the Beverage antenna.  (Note: capitalized because
it's a person's name).

The EWE antenna is also a specialized receive only antenna described in Feb
'95 QST.

Thanks for asking.

Bill, n3rr at cais.com


At 08:13 PM 9/23/95 -0400, Phil Irons wrote:
>At 09:33 1995/09/20 CST, you wrote:
>>FROM: SAM EFFINGER  K9SD
>>SUBJECT: EWE VS BEVERAGE
>>I put up a EWE antenna and I also am constantly comparing it against the
>>other guys on the cluster who have beverages and it's my opinion that
>>a EWE is better than nothing but at no time compares to a beverage.
>>
>>    <snip>
>
>Ok, I admit it! I'm ignorant!  Will someone out there not wielding a
>flamethrower please tell me in words of one syllable (or less) what a
>beverage and an EWE antenna are?  I am of the opinion (perhaps misguided)
>that a beverage is a specialized type of long wire antenna used for
>reception only.  The only reference I have for a ewe is a fuzzy critter that
>is the raw material from which sweaters (and the fore-runners of my call
>suffix) are made.
>
>Potential flamers are invited to read my sig block before opening up...I
>will not contest <g> any and all responses.
>
>many thanks, & 73,
>
>Phil Irons           VE1BVD at VE1PAK           ironsp at fox.nstn.ns.ca
>       The only stupid question is the one you *DON'T* ask!
>
>


>From Jeff Singer <k0od at MO.NET>  Sun Sep 24 02:36:53 1995
From: Jeff Singer <k0od at MO.NET> (Jeff Singer)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 1995 20:36:53 -0500
Subject: Peek (not peak) at TS-870
Message-ID: <199509240136.UAA01751 at Walden.MO.NET>

Seems the 'OD brain could use some DSP of its own. 
       -----------------------------
       Jeff K0OD  St. Louis, MO  USA
            e-mail:   k0od at mo.net
       -----------------------------


>From westnet at iol.ie (Tony Stack EI2GX)  Sun Sep 24 03:18:08 1995
From: westnet at iol.ie (Tony Stack EI2GX) (Tony Stack EI2GX)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 03:18:08 +0100
Subject: FT990 V TS850
Message-ID: <199509240215.DAA00853 at GPO.iol.ie>

 From: EI6FR  Date: 23-Sep 1725Z  Subj: FT990 v TS850

Hello All,
         I'm about to purchase a new main station rig,retiring my ts140s
to a back up roll.The new FT1000MP and TS870 are outside my budget limit
having just but up a new quad and purchased a second amp.So what to choose,
I've used both the TS850 and FT990 on this years EJ7NET operation but had
not time to evaluate them properly.I would appreciate comments from owners
of both rigs and especially from those who have used both.I intend mainly
cw operation,DXing and Contesting.I would also expect to fit all the usual
ssb/cw filters and if choosing the 850 perhaps the add on dsp unit.
Many thanks in advance for sharing your views.
                                         ...73's de Declan ei6fr


>>>>>     Tony Stack EI2GX, Declan Craig EI6FR and Alan Dean EI9IF     <<<<<
                                  sysops DUBDX ,Dublin DX Cluster

                                DX Cluster......................ei2gx > ei6fr
                                BBS .............ei2gx at ei7gm.#81.irl.eu
                                e-mail..........................westnet at iol.ie



>From David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com>  Sun Sep 24 08:34:00 1995
From: David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com> (David & Barbara Leeson)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 95 02:34 EST
Subject: TS870 Measurements
Message-ID: <31950924073413/0005543629NA1EM at MCIMAIL.COM>

We had an interesting video, slide show and demonstration of the new
TS870 at the NCCC meeting last night.  Although the main attraction is
the IF DSP, it appears to have some attractive features to contesters,
such as band output, internal LogiKeyer (but no external memory button
connector), dual antennas, built-in RS-232 port, and adjustable CW
tone (but only in 50 Hz steps, I prefer 520 Hz, but it's a nit).

I had a chance to measure sensitivity, intermods and phase noise with
a portable set that isn't especially accurate.  Several folks asked me
to post the results here.  Note that the measurement was made with
1000 Hz bandwidth; the phase noise number is a little suspect because
there seemed to be some gain change from the large input signal blocking,
and given the short time I wasn't able to correct for it.

Summary for TS870S, measured in 1 kHz bandwidth
     
MDS               -142   dBm
Intercept            2   dBm
Intercept (AIP)     12   dBm
Phase Noise       -118   dBc  @5kHz
S9                 -75   dBm

The rig is about the same size and weght as the TS850, uses external
power supply, price is around $2600-2700.

73 de Dave, W6QHS


>From floydjr at nr.infi.net (jim floyd)  Sun Sep 24 15:27:37 1995
From: floydjr at nr.infi.net (jim floyd) (jim floyd)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 10:27:37 -0400
Subject: CQWW RTTY Scores
Message-ID: <199509241427.KAA16421 at larry.infi.net>

        
If no one has planned to compile the scores for the CQWW Rtty Contest I will
do it. If you just send me your scores, class, and location I will post the
totals once a week here for about a month. That should give everyone a
chance to get them to me. If the other members of the relector do not wish
to see them then please leave me a note and I will only put them on the WF1B
relector. That should save a lot of flaming. I do feel that RTTY contesting
is just as must a contest as SSB or CW but that is only my opinion.

If anyone has already planned or is going to do this just leave me mail and
I will send you my scores.

73's Jim // WA4ZXA @N4ZC <> floydjr at nr.infi.net



>From Larry Tyree <tree at cmicro.com>  Sun Sep 24 15:46:20 1995
From: Larry Tyree <tree at cmicro.com> (Larry Tyree)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 07:46:20 -0700
Subject: Submitting your log on the internet
Message-ID: <199509241446.HAA14647 at cascade.cmicro.com>


Several people have had problems submitting their log to me on the 
internet.  The source of this problem is that their mail program thinks
the file is a binary one.  The result is something that looks like this:

Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64

UEsDBBQAAAAIAGAfKh9QC4h+2gwAAHJCAAAMAAAAS0kzTE5BQ1cuTE9HjVvJcuM6tty/iP4H
rntTPADBYQlJlKyiBMnUZPv7f6QJ2yJPgky9qoh7b7jlysZw8gyZUD78kSxv/kj+p3FZ/DHL
TL5+ZNnmFLLvP9eP4V+h/Nhnzz/x7/T7dff9w9oP//pvlsnwn//8X0Qw/wLY1X8P2ydg/Lsb
f2+/fzjOAC0AyjLgY1MfDptfQDP8szudLu24wkwDFgBoCKDp38ct2+Gf1f5w+P4h/E1X6ADQ
LQN6b1cjYBUBb7/rPc+2XAJgSc7QnsIjU1vu2qAAYcsVAFbklo/uOK5Q8ixr+/16+hhWWP8L
oPfVffcELOMttyF8fl/KKQVsALBmW74ePjTgwff9N+BxkwAO6/8nwONm3PLwO9nf01tYPkMB

<stuff deleted>

You may need to rename your file to something that your mailer thinks
is an ASCII file to make it look like a real log.  Perhaps someone who
has figured this out for the popular services and post how they do it.
I will be happy to save the results for future use, and maybe KA9FOX 
can put them on is web page.

Please do not send ZIP files, or uuencoded files.  The message should 
end up looking like you had typed it in by hand.  

The way I do it is simple!  I start sending a mail message.  Then, when I
get to the text portion, I use the UPLOAD command on my terminal emulator
program (PROCOMM in this case).  Then I select ASCII for the format, and
then enter the file name of the file I want to send.  I send the summary
sheet first and then the log.  When I am done, I end the mail message 
and that is it!

You can log into most popular servers with PROCOMM or its equivalent
and get around any limitations their canned software might have.

Thanks for your help!!

Tree N6TR
tree at cmicro.com

>From Mikael.Westerlund at mailbox.swipnet.se (SM3JLA MIKE)  Sun Sep 24 20:20:21 1995
From: Mikael.Westerlund at mailbox.swipnet.se (SM3JLA MIKE) (SM3JLA MIKE)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 20:20:21 +0100
Subject: V73C
Message-ID: <199509241920.UAA07969 at mailbox.swip.net>

Can anyone help me with the E-mail adress to V73C. The one a i have is not 
valid.
73 de Mike SM3JLA


>From Mikael.Westerlund at mailbox.swipnet.se (SM3JLA MIKE)  Sun Sep 24 23:24:31 1995
From: Mikael.Westerlund at mailbox.swipnet.se (SM3JLA MIKE) (SM3JLA MIKE)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 23:24:31 +0100
Subject: V73C
Message-ID: <199509242224.XAA19222 at mailbox.swip.net>

Thanks for info about V73C.
73...
SM3JLA Mike Westerlund
E-mail: Mikael Westerlund at mailbox.swipnet.se


>From kn6dv at qnet.com (Will)  Mon Sep 25 02:20:29 1995
From: kn6dv at qnet.com (Will) (Will)
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 01:20:29 +0000
Subject: CQWW RTTY KN6DV
Message-ID: <m0sx1vZ-0000VzC at cello.QNET.COM>

CQ WW RTTY Contest


Call used: KN6DV
Location:  CA

Entry Class: Single Op, Single Band 40M
High Power

Band    QSOs   Pts   QTH    DX  Zones
40       363   506    51    22    19
--------------------------------------
Total    363   506    51    22    19

Score: 46552
--------------------------------------



Claimed Score: 46552


Power Output: 500 watts

Station:
Radio:     Icom IC-775 DSP
Amplifier: SB-221
Antenna:   Mosley 2 element @ 70'	
Modem:     HAL P38

Comments: Used a PK-232 as a interface for the monitor scope
          HAL needs to do something about that!
over all had a good time and shure the HAL P38 does a great job!

73 de Will   KN6DV


>From floydjr at nr.infi.net (jim floyd)  Mon Sep 25 02:20:59 1995
From: floydjr at nr.infi.net (jim floyd) (jim floyd)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 21:20:59 -0400
Subject: RTTY Scores
Message-ID: <199509250120.VAA16681 at larry.infi.net>

Send me all your CQWW Scores but send the direct. Do not tie up bandwidth
with them. I will post the list each week. 

My email is floydjr at nr.infi.net

73's Jim // WA4ZXA @N4ZC <> floydjr at nr.infi.net


>From Frank Donovan <donovanf at sgate.com>  Mon Sep 25 02:40:37 1995
From: Frank Donovan <donovanf at sgate.com> (Frank Donovan)
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 21:40:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: W3LPL CQ WW RTTY Score -   Multi-Multi
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.950924212736.6144A-100000 at jekyll.sgate.com>

Band   QSOs  Zones  Countries+States+Provinces
80     336   16     81
40     503   18     99
20     848   31    137
15     275   20     91
10      84    9     34

TOTAL 2046   94    442

Total score will be posted later, we haven't calculated the points yet!

Station Equipment/antennas:

80M  TS-830S  3-1000Z  1KW  2 element quads at 170 feet: NE, S, SW and West

40M  TS-950   3-1000Z  1KW  stacked 3 element Yagis at 100 and 200 feet

20M  FT-1000D 3-1000Z  1KW  5 element Yagi at 200 feet
                            stacked 5 element Yagis at 50 and 100 feet

15M  TS-830S  3-1000Z  1KW  6 element Yagi at 100 feet
                            (the stacked 6L Yagis and the 6L Yagi at 200 ft 
                             are on the ground for preventive maintenance...)

10M  TS-830S  3-1000Z  1KW  7 element Yagi at 200 feet

Great warmup for the CQ WW SSB contest in October!
All equipment and antennas worked perfectly!  

73!
Frank
W3LPL
donovanf at sgate.com



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