Hi Nick, All of my receiving antennas have been removed until October and the four verticals in my 4-square vertical array have been disconnected. I can be quickly QRV with the verticals when desired
Hi Ray, The classic source for Fresnel zones as they apply to HF site selection is NBS Technical Note 139: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/TN/nbstechnicalnote139.pdf While Technical Note 139
Hi Sinisa, See the last paragraph in this email for a very specific answer to Ray's original question... Your comments about applying this 57 year old classic publication are exactly correct. First d
This article in Nature forecasts that we're approaching a grand solar minimum -- similar to Maunder Minimum -- starting in 2020 and lasting for three solar cycles. I hope these scientists are wrong..
Using currently available observational data, predictions and prediction uncertainties have been calculated for Solar Cycle 25. The results, based on both the sunspot number series and observed magne
Hi Mark, I suspect the current -- and hence the radiation -- from the bottom of the vertical radiator is somewhat suppressed by proximity to gull wing radials. When I first installed a 160 vertical u
Rotten Damped Spark Stuff http://p1k.arrl.org/pubs_archive/2989 -- Original Message -- Same thing was said about SSB. The sky is not falling. K1JT might have saved Ham Radio. Seems to be quite popula
Hi Bob The "how to" article is right here: http://p1k.arrl.org/pubs_archive/63144 73 Frank W3LPL -- Original Message -- From: "Robert Brennan via Topband" <topband@contesting.com> To: "Cecil" <chacuf
Hi John, Horizontal polarization isn't very effective on topband except for local QSOs. It would be far better if you could install an inverted-L vertical 73 Frank W3LPL -- Original Message -- I'm th
These recordings are an impressive demonstration of the benefit of one dB of signal strength improvement in a weak signal situation. Click on the links on this website: www.ab7e.com/weak_signal/mdd.h
Hi Pete, Unless you're planning more than 30 radials eventually, there's no reason to install radials longer than the 50-60 feet you're already using. This is one of several classic references on the
Just purchase them, they're not expensive. For example: www.antiquelampsupply.com/3-8-dia-brass-ball-tap-6-32f.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_auMy7GI5QIVho7ICh2C4wEvEAQYAyABEgJFGPD_BwE 73 Frank W3LPL -- Ori
Cecil, Please think again. Many topbanders use antennas and feedlines that extend beyond a 500 meter diameter circle. Please don't disparage us. 73 Frank W3LPL -- Original Message -- From: "Cecil" <c
Beverage performance is optimum when installed over poorly conductive soil. Harold Beverage's first "Wave Antenna" (later named after him) was a BOG several miles long (used at 50 kHz) laid on sandy
Hi Dave, In order to get benefits from diversity your 8-circle needs to be very far away from your Beverages. If they are separated less than 500 feet the fading will be nearly perfectly correlated a
Topband was fairly quiet tonight with the usual dozen or so European stations. I decided to try FT8 for the first time on Topband. I've used it for several years on 6 meters mostly during the Transat
According to E21EIC, hams in Thailand now have the full 1800-2000 KHz assignment. Look for HS0ZAR before and their multi-multi operation in the CQWW CW DX contest. 73 Frank W3LPL _________________ Se
Hi Tony, George's advice is good. A few additional points: - you should also install a 100-150 uH choke across the coaxial connector going to your radio, it will protect your radio from the DC voltag
Hi Pete, If your K9AY is near your transmitting antenna, it may be re-radiating signals into the K9AY loops. You may need to use a relay to detune the transmitting antenna while receiving, typically
The forecast consensus: Cycle 25 will peak in July 2025 (+/- 8 months), with a smoothed sunspot number of 115. Cycle 25 is forecast to be average in intensity and similar to Cycle 24. The panel concu