Topband: QRP/Poor antenna stations ARRL160

[ZR]

I made roughly 40-50 sporadic contacts using a 1939 Meissner VFO at 5-6W and 
a 1934 National FB-XA, didnt even log them. Nothing spectacular since I 
wasnt interested in staying up past 10PM (-;  Antenna was the inverted vee 
at 180'; it was too early for the vertical based on a few A:B listenings. 
The Beverages with a BCB filter helped the very basic mixer (no RF stage) 
front end considerably.

Carl
KM1H



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DAVID CUTHBERT" <telegrapher9 at gmail.com>
To: "Bill Stewart" <cwopr at embarqmail.com>
Cc: <topband at contesting.com>; "jon jones" <n0jk at hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: QRP/Poor antenna stations ARRL160


> N6VW reports driving 5 watts into his apartment plumbing against the AC
> system ground and making a couples dozen QSOs in the 'test.
>
> Dave WX7G
> On Dec 3, 2012 9:19 AM, "Bill Stewart" <cwopr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Jon,
>> Good job with a minimal setup.
>> I worked ten stations using my homebrew 1924 4-coil Meissner osc,
>> using a C-301A tube ('24 vintage) at about 4 watts input (maybe 1.5 out).
>> The antenna was a 160m off ctr fed hertz, now called a windom, at 35ft.
>> Most of the stns I worked were in PA, TN and FL. Hope to be squeaking 
>> this
>> w/e in an AWA event. Great fun.
>> 73 de Bill K4JYS (NC)
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> While not running QRP, my antenna in the ARRL 160 was loading up the rain
>> gutter on ourone story rental duplex in Lawrence, KS. Maximum height is
>> about 10 feet above ground, a marginalTop Band antenaa at best. I set up 
>> to
>> hand out some contacts in the contest. Oddly, it loaded easilywith a MFJ
>> tuner.   N0TT, N0NI, W0SD, AA1K and about 80 other stations heard me, 
>> most
>> on first or second call Saturday night. Best DXwas probably KA6BIM/7 in
>> Oregon. Good ops and patient with the weak signal crowd. I found it 
>> easier
>> to work stations after mid-night as many of the big ops were hungry for
>> QSOs. Butseveral stations were not worked who kept calling CQ over and 
>> over
>> with almost no time listening...
>>
>>  - N0JK
>>
>> Some harder than others.  W0SD gave my QRP signal a real good try early
>> in the evening, but couldn't get the exchange. I'll certainly try again
>> tonight.  N0TT and N0NI heard me almost right away, but it took some
>> repeats to get in their logs. They were my best DX last night. I worked
>> several NM stations, but WD5COV, even when on his 20 over S9 west-facing
>> TX antenna, never gave me so much as a QRZ for the several dozen times I
>> called, and had his auto CQ set for a very short recycle time.
>>
>> If you're going to work weak signals, both sides of the QSO need
>> patience, operating skill, and good ears. There are FAR too many
>> alligators on the band. Doing the math, 20dB down from 1.5 kW is 15
>> watts, and a 5W signal would be S8. If your noise level is S8, IMO, you
>> have no business running 1.5kW! - K9YC
>>
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>> _______________________________________________
>> Topband reflector - topband at contesting.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> Topband reflector - topband at contesting.com
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Topband reflector - topband at contesting.com
>
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