Topband: 160 power

daraymond at iowatelecom.net daraymond at iowatelecom.net
Wed Mar 22 18:38:50 EDT 2017


Mike. . .I would suggest you work on your receive capability first.  There's 
nothing more obvious (and embarrassing) then to have people calling you that 
you can't hear.  Beefing up your transmit capability is easily done and can 
come later.  BTW, a good TX array can also significantly help your RX 
capability.

73. . . Dave, W0FLS

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mike via Topband
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 5:16 PM
To: rstealey at hotmail.com
Cc: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: 160 power

I don't disagree.  I guess my main point is that the lack of Rx/Tx
"balance" in my station is so obvious that the improvement in Rx is by far 
the
most important.  Once I improve my "ears" with the Rx array it will be
interesting to see what I would need to do next, and whether further 
expenditure
of $ should go toward expansion of Rx or Tx capability.  If better Tx is 
the
next step, then I'm sure 1500W will help; but I'd be interested in finding
out whether going to a better Tx ant is next. If you look at cost/db then
the  amp is the winner I think.  I would have to go to a phased vertical
array  to significantly improve the Tx antenna.  I have the real estate, but 
I
suspect cost may be a significant factor. Don't know what it is about Top
Band  but it seems to require just a bit more of everything (skill, 
excellent
receiver, antennas, station design, etc) to be successful.  Hope I'm still
improving all of the above well into old age.

I have noticed quite a bit more 160m activity this winter and dxpeditions
seem to be concentrating more on 80 and 160.  I expected to get 5 or  10 new
ones on 160m this winter and just make DXCC but have 22 new  ones. Even if
conditions aren't actually significantly  improved perhaps the anticipation
of same has markedly increased  activity.  Either way I'm having a great
time.

Mike KD8RQE




More information about the Topband mailing list