Topband: FW: CQWW a bust this year

[donovanf at erols.com]

Preventive maintenance methods should be employed to detect faults 
in contest stations and antennas before they impact competitive results. 


Its not that time consuming with modern, inexpensive tools like TDRs, 
VNAs and antenna analyzers. It costs much less to purchase all three 
than even the least expensive radio. 


Previously used feedlines should always be tested before putting them 
back into service, especially if there's any possibility that mice and 
other critters could have feasted on them. 


Ask VY2ZM... 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Michael Walker" <va3mw at portcredit.net> 
To: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com 
Cc: topband at contesting.com 
Sent: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 11:40:57 AM 
Subject: Re: Topband: FW: CQWW a bust this year 

Hi Jim 

My point on feedlines is that you can’t assume all is good. You do need to test and confirm. 

And chokes are a must. 

Mike va3mw 

> On Dec 1, 2020, at 3:29 PM, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote: 
> 
> On 12/1/2020 10:00 AM, Michael Walker wrote: 
>> - How old are your feedlines? Are 100% sure they are as good as the day 
>> you installed them? 
> 
> Another urban myth -- coax is degraded only 1) by the intrusion of moisture into the dielectric, which occurs at poorly installed or poorly weatherproof connectors or with physical damage to the outer jacket; or 2) UV breakdown to a non-UV-resistant jacket. 
> 
>> - Noise -- did you know that 80% of the low band noise is in your own 
>> house - fix it as it isn't going to fix itself and don't be so sure to 
>> blame someone or something else until you confirm it. 
> 
> YES! There's an app note for this on my website that ran in NCJ several years ago. k9yc.com/publish.htm 
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC 
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