Topband: Top Band

[Sam Morgan]

rick darwicki wrote:
> We can probably get more people on 160 if it wasn't only during a contest
> that someone was on the band. Many nights it is open, but void of signals.
>
on the other hand, it seems contests are the main time
when topband ops have the incentive
to listen down in the noise for us weak ones ;-)

> I do the 160 thing from a noisy area with a 35' height limit and have over 70
> countries so far. No beverages or big transmit antenna, just luck and timing
> the QSB.
>
I run a 13 foot tall Hi-Q 5/160 screwdriver styled antenna at 20'
with 16 radials each 13 feet long, sitting on my apartment roof,

Not much DX, couple of Caribbeans.
But I am able to enjoy a daily 2 hour morning chat
with 5-10 guys within 700miles every day, winter and summer.

> If you are on the band you have probably also beat yourself up working QRP hi
> hi (My No. is 3322)
> 

Oh did I mention for the chats,I'm running my TS-450 @ 100w to the antenna,
transposes to 1.3W ERP, (after) you factor in the 1.3% efficiency? <g>

==
I guess I'll combine this post with a comment on the recent Pre Stew Perry.
I used my Elecraft K2 running wide open @ 7w out.
yea here we go with the math again......
1.3% efficiency X 7w = 91mw ERP
(I was shooting for 100mw, sigh)

In the ~3 hours I worked the contest (0130z-0348z) + (1120z-1211z)
I heard 27 stations and worked 18 of them.
Longest 2 QSO distances were:
K8QKY @ 2014km
W4ZV @ 1912km
<big_grin>

notable mention was a QRPp to QRPp contact with N7DF @ 395km
Larry said he was running:
FT 1000MP Mark V with a Diawa output meter
measuring just under 1 watt output
to a Collins Discage through 473 feet of RG 213 coax
/me wipes druel off keyboard....

to sum things up, fun can be had on 160m,
no matter what your QTH/Antenna/Power limitations,
it all just depends on where you set your sights,
and what trips your trigger and makes you grin.

-- 
GB & 73
K5OAI
Sam Morgan