Topband: Fine sigs from George, FO/AA7JV on 80 cw this morning

David Raymond daraymond at iowatelecom.net
Tue Apr 4 13:32:20 EDT 2023


George has been QRV 160 cw most mornings NA time, sometimes earlier 
rather than later.  He's typically Q5 for the most part but not strong 
here. . .usually S3 or S4 peak with QSB to virtually nil.

73. . . Dave, W0FLS

On 4/4/2023 12:09 PM, W3HKK at roadrunner.com wrote:
> I looked for George for the 3rd straight day on 160, but no copy.
> However there he was on 3527.5 at 1107z, with a very nice 579 sig and
> I quickly put him in the log. Well after my sunrise hr in Ohio I saw
> spots for him on 160 cw from several West Coast US stations.
>
> Havent heard a dx station on 160 at my SR for at least three days now,
> but had some nice short contacts with assorted VK's on 40 and 20 ssb
> around 1130z. Pulled 9U5RU out of the noise on 10m ssb shortly
> thereafter, so some sigs have been there for the taking.
>
> The VKs on 20 ssb were 5 S units stronger on the LP when I first
> contacted them, but at the end of the qso they were just 2 S units
> stronger LP. Wonder what else was coming through that I may have
> missed?
>
> 	-----------------------------------------From:
> topband-request at contesting.com
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday April 4 2023 12:00:44PM
> Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 244, Issue 4
>
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>   Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: High Impedance RX Antennas (Dennis W0JX)
>   2. Re: High Impedance RX Antennas (Frank W3LPL)
>   3. Re: High Impedance RX Antennas (Tree)
>   4. Re: High Impedance RX Antennas (Don Moman VE6JY)
>   5. Re: High Impedance RX Antennas (John Kaufmann)
>   6. Re: [PVRC] 2-element receiving arrays (Dave Cuthbert)
>   7. Re: High Impedance RX Antennas (Jim Brown)
>
>   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>   Message: 1
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 16:42:37 +0000 (UTC)
>   From: Dennis W0JX
>   To: "topband at contesting.com"
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   Message-ID:
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
>   There is an old saying "The enemy of good is perfect."? You will be
> driven crazy by chasing down every slight variance from the ideal.
> That being said, it is important to check out the obvious areas where
> flaws can create big problems. Indeed, the feedline coax, typically
> RG6 CATV line, is a major contributor to array performance problems.?
> The cheap, big box cable is covered with PVC and that stuff hardens
> and tightens up over the years. This allows water to enter the shield
> and the water easily migrates for long distances, creating a high
> resistance. Spend the money upfront and buy quality cable that is
> flooded.
>   The idea of using cable that has a solid copper conductor has merit.
> But even with that, a bare copper conductor will oxidize over time. I
> find myself cleaning these conductors on an annual basis with the
> eraser end of a pencil (recommended by Lee K7TJR).
>   I have also had F connector failures on my combiner box and on a
> common mode choke. Sometimes the imported female connector center
> contact just fails for no reason. The alternative Amphenol connectors
> are very expensive at about $8+ each but I am considering replacing
> the connectors with these higher grade parts.
>   Also, the so-called "water-proof" compression connectors are often
> not. The connection must be waterproofed effectively.? Also,
> condensation from humidity can be a big problem. Here is northeast
> Ohio, the environment is humid for the majority of the year. I have
> poured water out of a 75 ohm preamp that was sheltered in a good
> enclosure!
>   These complex phasing arrays are by no means plug and play. Each
> installation will be unique depending on layout and surrounding
> objects. There are three tools necessary to get them and keep them
> working:? 1.) a good portable signal source to feed the antenna
> preamps (I use an Elecraft XG-3 with a home brew impedance transformer
> at the input);? 2.) a portable transceiver to measure signal out of
> the system at various points (My KX3 does a great job); and an
> accurate antenna analyzer to measure impedances and to measure
> feedlines and phasing lines for the proper electrical lengths. N6RK is
> right. There can be considerable difference in RG6 impedance so you
> need to check it out.?
>
>   73 Dennis W0JXMilan, OH
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Message: 2
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 13:11:27 -0400 (EDT)
>   From: Frank W3LPL
>   To: topband
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   Message-ID:
>
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>   Another highly recommended tool is a Time Domain Reflectometer.
>   Tt easily detects any abnormalities in my 8-circle and 4-square
>   arrays and stacked HF Yagi arrays and switches.
>
>   Other than my hand held antenna analyzer, my hand held TDR is my
>   most often used and most valuable tool for proving that the
> performance
>   of my antennas and feedlines has not changed from prior measurements
>   and identifying and isolating faults before they cause partial or
>   total failure. A TDR can detect, diagnose and locate feedline and
>   antenna faults from the comfort of your ham shack.
>
>   Affordable TDRs are often available on eBay. Some antenna
>   analyzers have rudimentary TDR capabilities but I've never used
>   an antenna analyzer with TDR capabilities comparable in
>   performance to a TDR.
>
>   Long before moisture causes coax failure, it causes the impedance
>   of the coax to change, a potentially big problem in a phased array
>   or stacked Yagis. A TDR easily detects and locates the problem
>   before it causes a failure.
>
>   An antenna analyzer can also detect that moisture has caused
>   an impedance shift in coax cable. Place a dummy load (with the
>   same impedance as the coax) at one end of the coax cable. Sweep
>   the antenna analyzer frequency. As you do a frequency sweep the
>   VSWR and impedance should not change. If it does, moisture is
>   probably eating away inside your coax.
>
>   73
>   Frank
>   W3LPL
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: "Dennis W0JX via Topband"
>   To: "topband"
>   Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 4:42:37 PM
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>
>   There is an old saying "The enemy of good is perfect."? You will be
> driven crazy by chasing down every slight variance from the ideal.
> That being said, it is important to check out the obvious areas where
> flaws can create big problems. Indeed, the feedline coax, typically
> RG6 CATV line, is a major contributor to array performance problems.?
> The cheap, big box cable is covered with PVC and that stuff hardens
> and tightens up over the years. This allows water to enter the shield
> and the water easily migrates for long distances, creating a high
> resistance. Spend the money upfront and buy quality cable that is
> flooded.
>   The idea of using cable that has a solid copper conductor has merit.
> But even with that, a bare copper conductor will oxidize over time. I
> find myself cleaning these conductors on an annual basis with the
> eraser end of a pencil (recommended by Lee K7TJR).
>   I have also had F connector failures on my combiner box and on a
> common mode choke. Sometimes the imported female connector center
> contact just fails for no reason. The alternative Amphenol connectors
> are very expensive at about $8+ each but I am considering replacing
> the connectors with these higher grade parts.
>   Also, the so-called "water-proof" compression connectors are often
> not. The connection must be waterproofed effectively.? Also,
> condensation from humidity can be a big problem. Here is northeast
> Ohio, the environment is humid for the majority of the year. I have
> poured water out of a 75 ohm preamp that was sheltered in a good
> enclosure!
>   These complex phasing arrays are by no means plug and play. Each
> installation will be unique depending on layout and surrounding
> objects. There are three tools necessary to get them and keep them
> working:? 1.) a good portable signal source to feed the antenna
> preamps (I use an Elecraft XG-3 with a home brew impedance transformer
> at the input);? 2.) a portable transceiver to measure signal out of
> the system at various points (My KX3 does a great job); and an
> accurate antenna analyzer to measure impedances and to measure
> feedlines and phasing lines for the proper electrical lengths. N6RK is
> right. There can be considerable difference in RG6 impedance so you
> need to check it out.?
>
>   73 Dennis W0JXMilan, OH
>   _________________
>   Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [1] - Topband
> Reflector
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Message: 3
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 10:20:26 -0700
>   From: Tree
>   To: Frank W3LPL
>   Cc: topband
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   Message-ID:
>
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
>   I guess most people have some kind of small antenna analyzer that has
> a TDR
>   kind of function.
>
>   I have not warmed up to them yet as the results I see seem to be "all
> over
>   the place". Maybe I just don't know how to use them yet.
>
>   My goto TDR is homebrew - using an analog scope.
>
>   Here is one design pretty similar to what I am using:
>
>   A very simple TDR from W2AEW ? PierpaLab.com
>    [2] I put a
>   switch on it to slow down the rep rate as an option since some of my
>   "stuff" is pretty long.
>
>   It works wonderfully to check feedlines and beverages. I have one
> beverage
>   that has transformers and feedlines on both ends and I can see the
>   difference between open/short/terminate on the "far end" (which is
>   physically in the shack).
>
>   73 Tree N6TR
>
>   On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 10:11?AM Frank W3LPL  wrote:
>
>   > Another highly recommended tool is a Time Domain Reflectometer.
>   > Tt easily detects any abnormalities in my 8-circle and 4-square
>   > arrays and stacked HF Yagi arrays and switches.
>   >
>   > Other than my hand held antenna analyzer, my hand held TDR is my
>   > most often used and most valuable tool for proving that the
> performance
>   > of my antennas and feedlines has not changed from prior
> measurements
>   > and identifying and isolating faults before they cause partial or
>   > total failure. A TDR can detect, diagnose and locate feedline and
>   > antenna faults from the comfort of your ham shack.
>   >
>   > Affordable TDRs are often available on eBay. Some antenna
>   > analyzers have rudimentary TDR capabilities but I've never used
>   > an antenna analyzer with TDR capabilities comparable in
>   > performance to a TDR.
>   >
>   > Long before moisture causes coax failure, it causes the impedance
>   > of the coax to change, a potentially big problem in a phased array
>   > or stacked Yagis. A TDR easily detects and locates the problem
>   > before it causes a failure.
>   >
>   > An antenna analyzer can also detect that moisture has caused
>   > an impedance shift in coax cable. Place a dummy load (with the
>   > same impedance as the coax) at one end of the coax cable. Sweep
>   > the antenna analyzer frequency. As you do a frequency sweep the
>   > VSWR and impedance should not change. If it does, moisture is
>   > probably eating away inside your coax.
>   >
>   > 73
>   > Frank
>   > W3LPL
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   > ----- Original Message -----
>   > From: "Dennis W0JX via Topband"
>   > To: "topband"
>   > Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 4:42:37 PM
>   > Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   >
>   > There is an old saying "The enemy of good is perfect." You will be
> driven
>   > crazy by chasing down every slight variance from the ideal. That
> being
>   > said, it is important to check out the obvious areas where flaws
> can create
>   > big problems. Indeed, the feedline coax, typically RG6 CATV line,
> is a
>   > major contributor to array performance problems. The cheap, big box
> cable
>   > is covered with PVC and that stuff hardens and tightens up over the
> years.
>   > This allows water to enter the shield and the water easily migrates
> for
>   > long distances, creating a high resistance. Spend the money upfront
> and buy
>   > quality cable that is flooded.
>   > The idea of using cable that has a solid copper conductor has
> merit. But
>   > even with that, a bare copper conductor will oxidize over time. I
> find
>   > myself cleaning these conductors on an annual basis with the eraser
> end of
>   > a pencil (recommended by Lee K7TJR).
>   > I have also had F connector failures on my combiner box and on a
> common
>   > mode choke. Sometimes the imported female connector center contact
> just
>   > fails for no reason. The alternative Amphenol connectors are very
> expensive
>   > at about $8+ each but I am considering replacing the connectors
> with these
>   > higher grade parts.
>   > Also, the so-called "water-proof" compression connectors are often
> not.
>   > The connection must be waterproofed effectively. Also, condensation
> from
>   > humidity can be a big problem. Here is northeast Ohio, the
> environment is
>   > humid for the majority of the year. I have poured water out of a 75
> ohm
>   > preamp that was sheltered in a good enclosure!
>   > These complex phasing arrays are by no means plug and play. Each
>   > installation will be unique depending on layout and surrounding
> objects.
>   > There are three tools necessary to get them and keep them working:
> 1.) a
>   > good portable signal source to feed the antenna preamps (I use an
> Elecraft
>   > XG-3 with a home brew impedance transformer at the input); 2.) a
> portable
>   > transceiver to measure signal out of the system at various points
> (My KX3
>   > does a great job); and an accurate antenna analyzer to measure
> impedances
>   > and to measure feedlines and phasing lines for the proper
> electrical
>   > lengths. N6RK is right. There can be considerable difference in RG6
>   > impedance so you need to check it out.
>   >
>   > 73 Dennis W0JXMilan, OH
>   > _________________
>   > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [3] -
> Topband
>   > Reflector
>   > _________________
>   > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [4] -
> Topband
>   > Reflector
>   >
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Message: 4
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 11:33:10 -0600
>   From: Don Moman VE6JY
>   To: "Topband at Contesting. Com"
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   Message-ID:
>
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
>   A used Tek 1502 TDR is the "gold standard" to me anyway and they can
> be
>   quite cheap at flea markets etc. They are "arm held" and self
> contained
>   portable so ideal for up to 1000' runs and have enough resolution
> that you
>   can "see" defects that you don't really need to worry about. The
> advantage
>   over some of the VNWA's that have a TDR function, is that the 1502 is
> real
>   time so intermittents can easily be spotted. And it measures
> impedance so
>   you can easily see how long and what Z that unknown roll of flea
> market
>   coax is!
>
>   I built the scope based TDR from the QST articles years ago, but that
>   version isn't even close to the 1502. I also have a Tek 1503 for
> checking
>   longer runs of control cable etc.
>
>   73 Don
>   VE6JY
>
>   On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 11:21?AM Tree  wrote:
>
>   > I guess most people have some kind of small antenna analyzer that
> has a TDR
>   > kind of function.
>   >
>   > I have not warmed up to them yet as the results I see seem to be
> "all over
>   > the place". Maybe I just don't know how to use them yet.
>   >
>   > My goto TDR is homebrew - using an analog scope.
>   >
>   > Here is one design pretty similar to what I am using:
>   >
>   > A very simple TDR from W2AEW ? PierpaLab.com
>   >  [5] I put a
>   > switch on it to slow down the rep rate as an option since some of
> my
>   > "stuff" is pretty long.
>   >
>   > It works wonderfully to check feedlines and beverages. I have one
> beverage
>   > that has transformers and feedlines on both ends and I can see the
>   > difference between open/short/terminate on the "far end" (which is
>   > physically in the shack).
>   >
>   > 73 Tree N6TR
>   >
>   > On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 10:11?AM Frank W3LPL
>   > wrote:
>   >
>   > > Another highly recommended tool is a Time Domain Reflectometer.
>   > > Tt easily detects any abnormalities in my 8-circle and 4-square
>   > > arrays and stacked HF Yagi arrays and switches.
>   > >
>   > > Other than my hand held antenna analyzer, my hand held TDR is my
>   > > most often used and most valuable tool for proving that the
> performance
>   > > of my antennas and feedlines has not changed from prior
> measurements
>   > > and identifying and isolating faults before they cause partial or
>   > > total failure. A TDR can detect, diagnose and locate feedline and
>   > > antenna faults from the comfort of your ham shack.
>   > >
>   > > Affordable TDRs are often available on eBay. Some antenna
>   > > analyzers have rudimentary TDR capabilities but I've never used
>   > > an antenna analyzer with TDR capabilities comparable in
>   > > performance to a TDR.
>   > >
>   > > Long before moisture causes coax failure, it causes the impedance
>   > > of the coax to change, a potentially big problem in a phased
> array
>   > > or stacked Yagis. A TDR easily detects and locates the problem
>   > > before it causes a failure.
>   > >
>   > > An antenna analyzer can also detect that moisture has caused
>   > > an impedance shift in coax cable. Place a dummy load (with the
>   > > same impedance as the coax) at one end of the coax cable. Sweep
>   > > the antenna analyzer frequency. As you do a frequency sweep the
>   > > VSWR and impedance should not change. If it does, moisture is
>   > > probably eating away inside your coax.
>   > >
>   > > 73
>   > > Frank
>   > > W3LPL
>   > >
>   > >
>   > >
>   > >
>   > >
>   > > ----- Original Message -----
>   > > From: "Dennis W0JX via Topband"
>   > > To: "topband"
>   > > Sent: Monday, April 3, 2023 4:42:37 PM
>   > > Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   > >
>   > > There is an old saying "The enemy of good is perfect." You will
> be
>   > driven
>   > > crazy by chasing down every slight variance from the ideal. That
> being
>   > > said, it is important to check out the obvious areas where flaws
> can
>   > create
>   > > big problems. Indeed, the feedline coax, typically RG6 CATV line,
> is a
>   > > major contributor to array performance problems. The cheap, big
> box
>   > cable
>   > > is covered with PVC and that stuff hardens and tightens up over
> the
>   > years.
>   > > This allows water to enter the shield and the water easily
> migrates for
>   > > long distances, creating a high resistance. Spend the money
> upfront and
>   > buy
>   > > quality cable that is flooded.
>   > > The idea of using cable that has a solid copper conductor has
> merit. But
>   > > even with that, a bare copper conductor will oxidize over time. I
> find
>   > > myself cleaning these conductors on an annual basis with the
> eraser end
>   > of
>   > > a pencil (recommended by Lee K7TJR).
>   > > I have also had F connector failures on my combiner box and on a
> common
>   > > mode choke. Sometimes the imported female connector center
> contact just
>   > > fails for no reason. The alternative Amphenol connectors are very
>   > expensive
>   > > at about $8+ each but I am considering replacing the connectors
> with
>   > these
>   > > higher grade parts.
>   > > Also, the so-called "water-proof" compression connectors are
> often not.
>   > > The connection must be waterproofed effectively. Also,
> condensation from
>   > > humidity can be a big problem. Here is northeast Ohio, the
> environment is
>   > > humid for the majority of the year. I have poured water out of a
> 75 ohm
>   > > preamp that was sheltered in a good enclosure!
>   > > These complex phasing arrays are by no means plug and play. Each
>   > > installation will be unique depending on layout and surrounding
> objects.
>   > > There are three tools necessary to get them and keep them
> working: 1.) a
>   > > good portable signal source to feed the antenna preamps (I use an
>   > Elecraft
>   > > XG-3 with a home brew impedance transformer at the input); 2.) a
>   > portable
>   > > transceiver to measure signal out of the system at various points
> (My KX3
>   > > does a great job); and an accurate antenna analyzer to measure
> impedances
>   > > and to measure feedlines and phasing lines for the proper
> electrical
>   > > lengths. N6RK is right. There can be considerable difference in
> RG6
>   > > impedance so you need to check it out.
>   > >
>   > > 73 Dennis W0JXMilan, OH
>   > > _________________
>   > > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [6] -
> Topband
>   > > Reflector
>   > > _________________
>   > > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [7] -
> Topband
>   > > Reflector
>   > >
>   > _________________
>   > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [8] -
> Topband
>   > Reflector
>   >
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Message: 5
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 14:09:32 -0400
>   From: "John Kaufmann"
>   To: "'Topband at Contesting. Com'"
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   Message-ID:
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
>   Another tool I've found indispensable for setting up and
> troubleshooting phased vertical RX arrays is a two-port VNA. I use an
> Array Solutions VNA-2180 (now discontinued) for critical measurements.
> I also have a NanoVNA H4 (https://nanovna.com/) [9] which is a very
> "affordable" VNA that can be used as a portable, handheld, standalone
> instrument and that you can take out in the field. In most cases, the
> NanoVNA H4 is more than good enough.
>
>   There is a learning curve to using a VNA. However, once you learn it,
> you'll be able to make very accurate measurements of delay line
> lengths, preamplifier gain and phase, phase combiner gain and phase.
> Most VNA's also have a TDR function, although it is usually based on
> frequency domain measurements that are transformed to the time domain.
>
>   I'm running a homebrew RX array and it would have been almost
> impossible to get it running as well as it is now without a VNA.
>
>   73, John W1FV
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Message: 6
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 09:04:26 -1000
>   From: Dave Cuthbert
>   To: Frank W3LPL
>   Cc: topband , PVRC
>   Subject: Re: Topband: [PVRC] 2-element receiving arrays
>   Message-ID:
>
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
>   It seems that padding the element capacitance as needed for equal
>   capacitance would help.
>
>   Dave KH6AQ
>
>   On Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 4:48?PM Frank W3LPL  wrote:
>
>   > Hi Dave,
>   >
>   > Anyone who has experimented with a high impedance antenna such
>   > as an end fed half wave has experienced the extreme environmental
>   > influence on the feedpoint impedance of a high impedance feed.
>   >
>   > The required spacing to trees and buildings is very difficult to
> predict
>   > with any confidence. The impedance of a high impedance element
>   > -- and hence the amount of voltag if feeds into the preamp --
>   > is heavily influenced by its immediate environment.
>   >
>   > If all of the high impedance verticals in an array do not produce
> the
>   > same voltages from the signals received by the array, the pattern
>   > of the array and especially its nulls are significantly degraded.
>   >
>   > 73
>   > Frank
>   > W3LPL
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   > From: "K3ZJ David Siddall"
>   > To: "Frank W3LPL"
>   > Cc: "topband" , "PVRC" ,
>   > "Pete N4ZR N4ZR"
>   > Sent: Friday, March 31, 2023 12:34:28 AM
>   > Subject: Re: [PVRC] Topband: 2-element receiving arrays
>   >
>   > Frank,
>   > " wrt to-negative effects of nearby trees and buildings." for high
>   > impedance verticals:
>   >
>   > Is there any data measuring how much loss if placed in the woods?
> Minimum
>   > distance from a tree to minimize the loss? Are their other effects
> too,
>   > such as less directionality?
>   >
>   > 73, Dave K3ZJ
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   > On Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 1:38 PM Frank W3LPL < [ mailto:
>   > donovanf at starpower.net | donovanf at starpower.net ] > wrote:
>   >
>   >
>   > Hi Pete,
>   >
>   > For a monoband receiving array, you might consider using low
> impedance
>   > resonant verticals rather than high impedance verticals.
>   >
>   > The primary advantages of high impedance verticals are
>   > - very short verticals (but taller verticals produce stronger
> signals)
>   > - multi-band operation
>   > - no radials
>   >
>   > The primary disadvantages are
>   > - reliability issues with outdoor electronics
>   > - lightning susceptibility of outdoor electronics
>   > - higher cost
>   > - much lower signal levels
>   > - extreme care required to suppress common mode signals (buried
> feedlines
>   > are highly recommended)
>   > - negative effects of nearby trees and buildings.
>   >
>   > The primary advantages of low impedance verticals are
>   > - much stronger signal levels
>   > - much less criticality of common mode signal suppression,
>   > - much lower cost
>   > - much higher reliability
>   > - immunity to lightning damage
>   > - much less affected by nearby trees and buildings
>   >
>   > The primary disadvantages are
>   > - taller verticals (typically about 24 feet)
>   > - radials (they can be very short if many radials are used)
>   > - mono band operation (switchable matching networks can be used for
>   > multi-band operation).
>   >
>   > I highly recommend the DX Engineering Receiving Antenna Phasing
> System.
>   > Its expensive but well worth the investment especially for a small
> array.
>   >
>   > [ https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ncc-2 [10] |
>   > https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ncc-2 [11] ]
>   >
>   > If you have 120 feet for a three element array, the YCCC array is a
> great
>   > choice
>   > It can use high impedance or low impedance verticals
>   > Unfortunately its no longer available from DX Engineering
>   > The nine element YCCC array uses only three active elements at any
> time,
>   > so its really a three element array switchable in many directions.
>   >
>   > [
>   >
> https://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/instructions/dxe-yccc-switch.pdf?_gl=1*1cv0fc9*_ga*MjEyMDA1Nzc3MS4xNjUyMzAyMjc0*_ga_NZB590FMHY*MTY4MDE5NTk1OC40My4xLjE2ODAxOTYwNTYuNTAuMC4w
>   /> > |
>   >
> https://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/instructions/dxe-yccc-switch.pdf?_gl=1*1cv0fc9*_ga*MjEyMDA1Nzc3MS4xNjUyMzAyMjc0*_ga_NZB590FMHY*MTY4MDE5NTk1OC40My4xLjE2ODAxOTYwNTYuNTAuMC4w
>   /> > ]
>   >
>   > [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-crM5Kb6A [12] |
>   > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-crM5Kb6A [13] ]
>   >
>   > [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVW1CmrzP7c [14] |
>   > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVW1CmrzP7c [15] ]
>   >
>   > A two element array occupies only 60 feet or even a little less.
>   >
>   > 73
>   > Frank
>   > W3LPL
>   >
>   >
>   > ----- Original Message -----
>   > From: "Pete N4ZR N4ZR" < [ mailto:pete.n4zr at gmail.com |
>   > pete.n4zr at gmail.com ] >
>   > To: "topband" < [ mailto:Topband at contesting.com |
> Topband at contesting.com
>   > ] >
>   > Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 12:54:30 PM
>   > Subject: Topband: 2-element receiving arrays
>   >
>   > Thinking ahead to next winter on 160, I'm interested in replacing
> my
>   > K9AY Loop with a 2-vertical phased array. I'd like to homebrew the
>   > antennas and just buy or build the remote control unit for the
> shack.
>   > I'm looking for sources of components (antenna-located preamps and
> an
>   > in-shack controller), and would prefer not to completely homebrew
> them,
>   > but the prices at the usual suspects are awfully high. Any ideas?
>   >
>   > I have pretty reasonably-priced access to 25 and 31-foot fiberglass
>   > poles (used for wind-socks by model airplane enthusiasts). I'm
> thinking
>   > that one relatively low-cost approach might be to attach, say, #14
> wire
>   > to the poles, with preamps at the base, but wonder if there is a
>   > downside to using such small-diameter antenna elements rather than
> 1 or
>   > 1.5 inch tubing? Alternatively, are clones of the DX Engineering 8'
>   > short verticals with preamps a good alternative?
>   >
>   > --
>   > 73, Pete N4ZR
>   > _________________
>   > Searchable Archives: [ http://www.contesting.com/_topband [16] |
>   > http://www.contesting.com/_topband [17] ] - Topband Reflector
>   > ______________________________________________________________
>   > PVRC mailing list
>   > Home: [ http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc [18] |
>   > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc [19] ]
>   > Help: [ http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm [20] |
>   > http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm [21] ]
>   > Post: mailto: [ mailto:PVRC at mailman.qth.net | PVRC at mailman.qth.net
> ]
>   > Message delivered to [ mailto:davek3zj at gmail.com |
> davek3zj at gmail.com ]
>   >
>   > This list hosted by: [ http://www.qsl.net/ [22] |
> http://www.qsl.net [23] ]
>   > Please help support this email list: [
> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html [24] |
>   > http://www.qsl.net/donate.html [25] ]
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   > _________________
>   > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [26] -
> Topband
>   > Reflector
>   >
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Message: 7
>   Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 12:18:02 -0700
>   From: Jim Brown
>   To: topband at contesting.com
>   Subject: Re: Topband: High Impedance RX Antennas
>   Message-ID:
>
>   Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>   On 4/3/2023 10:20 AM, Tree wrote:
>   > I guess most people have some kind of small antenna analyzer that
> has a TDR
>   > kind of function.
>
>   In my professional life in pro audio, I started doing Time Domain
>   Spectrometry in 1982, so I have a pretty good handle on how it works.
>   There is a mathematical relationship between the frequency response
> of a
>   system and its time response -- one is the inverse of the other. The
>   Fourier Transform of the time response yields the frequency response,
>   and the Inverse Fourier of the frequency response yields the time
>   response. Modern antenna analyzers produce a swept frequency
> response,
>   and associated software running on the computer does the Inverse
> Fourier
>   Transform of a sweep to produce the TDR.
>
>   For more than 10 years, the best of the low cost Vector Network
>   Analyzers has been the VNWA3SE, built and sold as a finished and
> tested
>   unit, by SDR Kits, run by hams in UK. The unit, its firmware, and
>   associated software, was designed by DG8SAQ, an EE prof. Support from
>   both DG8SAQ and SDR Kits is excellent -- both read and respond to
> their
>   support email reflector. Current cost with shipping is about $560
>   (depending on currency).
>
> https://www.sdr-kits.net/introducing-DG8SAQ-VNWA3
>   />
>   Greatest precision (ability to see small things) is provided by a
> sweep
>   over a very wide frequency range. I usually sweep from 50-500 MHz.
> Once
>   the sweep is done, the TDR is simply a few more button pushes in the
>   menu system.
>
>   73, Jim K9YC
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   Subject: Digest Footer
>
>   _______________________________________________
>   Topband mailing list
>   Topband at contesting.com
>   http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
>   />
>
>   ------------------------------
>
>   End of Topband Digest, Vol 244, Issue 4
>   ***************************************
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [2] https://pierpalab.com/2022/04/30/a-very-simple-tdr-from-w2aew/%3E
> [3] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [4] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [5] https://pierpalab.com/2022/04/30/a-very-simple-tdr-from-w2aew/%3E
> [6] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [7] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [8] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [9] https://nanovna.com/)
> [10] https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ncc-2
> [11] https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ncc-2
> [12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-crM5Kb6A
> [13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-crM5Kb6A
> [14] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVW1CmrzP7c
> [15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVW1CmrzP7c
> [16] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [17] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> [18] http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc
> [19] http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pvrc
> [20] http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> [21] http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> [22] http://www.qsl.net/
> [23] http://www.qsl.net
> [24] http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> [25] http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> [26] http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
> _________________
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector


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