Topband: 160 meter activity

[Bob Kupps]

Well I applaud your making the effort at giving an "honest" report. It seems to me that 599 is reported far too casually these days and I certainly attempt to give "honest" reports even in a (non contest) pile up. Although R reports are fairly easy - I give 3 if I'm struggling, 4 if I have to pay attention and 5 if it's easy. But S reports, especially on the low bands where we are often using preamps, attenuators or both make an objective report a bit tougher.

The other night I was chatting with my pal W6YA on 20. My 100 watts to a 5/5 stack always gets a better report on his K3 than his 1500W to a 4 el gets on my K3 until he finally said that he always uses his preamp on the high bands because the K3 S meter is factory calibrated with the preamp on, and he like I strive to give meaningful reports.

Anyway, I would be interested in how other ops (who care) try to give meaningful reports - objective vs subjective. Also my compliments to N4ZR and the RBN guys who are providing a great service to the ham DX community in this regard.

73 Bob HS0ZIA


________________________________
 From: John Harden <jhdmd at bellsouth.net>
To: topband at contesting.com 
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 9:17 PM
Subject: Topband: 160 meter activity
 

160 is really picking up here.....

I called CQ on 1824.5 this morning here in Atlanta at 1030 Z. VK3ZL came 
back to me with a 599 report and I gave him an honest 579. The band has 
been open for some time at this QTH. However, the RX antenna is the Hi-Z 
4-8 PRO, 8 vertical array (with 4 antennas active at any time). No doubt 
I hear signals others cannot hear. I do HIGHLY recommend it......

73,

John, W4NU
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Topband Reflector