Topband: A rare Boring Report

[Tod Olson]

I have operated a beacon on 186 kHz - - back in about 1999. I used a
HyTower for the vertical element and then a loading coil to get it to
match. Wait until you see what it takes to build a reasonable Q loading
coil at 630 meters !!!

Start saving 5 gallon plastic pails now and read a bit about how the
LOWFERS handle such things. I think I am going to be an SWL in the
beginning, looking for the pioneers [you know who they are, they are the
guys with the arrows in their backs].

73, Tod, K0TO

On 2/17/12 10:14 AM, "Tree" <tree at kkn.net> wrote:

>Just thought I would share some random thoughts.  I don't seem to post
>here
>as often - since this list has sort of become a job.
>
>- I am personally excited about the new "630 meter" band.  I find myself
>dreaming about what I would do for an antenna and find myself scanning the
>web on ways to measure my EIRP.  I have already planted a seed in the
>minds
>of Elecraft - asking them how fast I would need to turn the big knob on
>the
>radio to get it down to 472 kHz.  BTW - you can get to 485 kHz by using
>the
>RIT - but it turns off there.  Hopefully, they can at least make the K3
>receive down there - and perhaps with an outboard filter - do some
>transmitting.  I know the dusty TS850 will at least receive there.  While
>DXCC down there is probably something I would never have a shot at - WAS
>would certainly be a significant goal for me down there.
>
>- LOTW does take a little bit of effort to sign up for.  However, I have
>uploaded all the logs that I have from all the DX locations I have
>operated
>from.  It feels good seeing QSOs match up with other people who are doing
>the same.  It was a good tool for keeping track of my other band totals
>(since I only really count countries on 160) and eventually resulted in me
>getting the 5BDXCC plaque with 160 endorsement.  Did you know you can't
>get
>that award with DXCC on 160-15?  You have to have it on 80, 40, 20, 15 and
>10...  but if you also get it on 160 - you will get a nice little
>endorsement to put on the award.  Typically - after a contest - I will
>upload my log - and about half of it matches up with other people who have
>done the same.  I have 216K QSOs records there - and have 36K "QSLs".  Of
>course - half of those are with RA4LW on 160 meters.  :-)   Yes - it costs
>some $$$ if you want to get awards out of it - but I think you will find
>that overall it is cheaper than chasing ALL of the QSLs.  For DX stations
>(outside W/VE) there is a bit of paperwork to do in order to prove you are
>licensed - but that sure hasn't stopped a lot of well known big gun 160
>meter stations from showing up.
>
>- I still collect real QSLs for my 160 countries.  Have them in a nice
>book
>that I show off to visitors.  My only new one so far this year is HK0NA.
>W7LR is still a few ahead of me.  Still need 3 zones.
>
>- Speaking of zones - I recently changed jobs and will likely be traveling
>to zone 22 on a somewhat regular basis.  I am in touch with Kumar, VU2BGS
>-
>and am hoping to help him improve his situation on 160 meters.  No
>promises
>yet - but it sure would be nice to make this zone easier for everyone to
>work.  I may also make it to BV again and see if I can spend a night or
>two
>at BU2AQ's fine QTH again.
>
>- Perhaps this list will prove the experts wrong and continue without
>moderation.  Please be thoughtful of the intent of this list when posting.
>This subject of LOTW is okay for a bit - but if it continues with too much
>volume - it would start being too much.  That is when I start seeing
>complaints and unsubscribe messages.
>
>- The difference between a normal CW QSO and one with computers involved
>using some special technique that allows QSOs to be made below the noise
>level is something I struggle with.  Thus far - I have not really been
>very
>excited about using a computer to copy my signals.  For me (big words
>there
>- this is just "for me" - not necessarily for you or anyone else) - the
>magic of radio happens between the headphones.  I have worked six meter
>EME
>- but on CW before EME turned into a digital mode.  I did hook things up
>and tried to work the ZL8 DX pedition just so I could say I have done it -
>but wasn't successful.  I guess I am like Jodie Foster in Contact - I just
>like listening.  Connecting your brain to the ionosphere to hear things is
>a wonderful experience.  It can almost be trippy.  Take a listen to this
>recording with headphones on:
>http://www.kkn.net/~tree/160/Diversity1590.wav.  That's a recording in
>diversity on 1590 AM with different antennas on each receiver.  The
>ionosphere lives and breaths.  If you want to hear what six meter CW EME
>signals sounded like - you can listen in here -
>http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/sixeme.html. My operation was done with a single
>yagi up 45 feet.
>
>- The results for the Stew Perry contest are basically final.  You can see
>them on the web at http://web.jzap.com/k7rat/stew.html.  At some point, I
>will figure out who won which awards and do a writeup.  That is - unless
>someone is inspired to do a guest writeup like Paul, K8PO did last year.
>It was nice seeing the writeup done from a less "Boring" perspective for a
>change.
>
>See you on the band.
>
>Tree N6TR
>_______________________________________________
>UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK