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Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 249, Issue 11

To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 249, Issue 11
From: George Wagner <giwagner@k5kg.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2023 20:13:28 +0000
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
Lee, I think I can help you with your antenna switching question, but best done 
over the “twisted pair.  Just give me a call.  941-400-1960.

73, George K5KG 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 19, 2023, at 12:00, cq-contest-request@contesting.com wrote:
> 
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> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Antenna Switching (Lee Hiers)
>   2. Re: Antenna Switching (Marty Sullaway)
>   3. Re: Antenna Switching (AB2E Darrell)
>   4. Solution for controlling Aux Antennas from N1MM (Gerry Hull)
>   5. CQ WW RTTY Practice Sessions (ed@w0yk.com)
>   6. Re: Antenna Switching (Lee Hiers)
>   7. Announcing the half hour RTTY NS (NCCC Sprint) contest this
>      Thursday evening Western Hemisphere time. (Ed Radlo)
>   8. Re: Antenna Switching (Jim Brown)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:23:48 -0400
> From: Lee Hiers <lee.hiers@gmail.com>
> To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
> Message-ID:
>    <CAEEr=7MJw5m=+wywy53kogOBnUfbw+RaSz1KM+yE8pveQB5yEQ@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> I've got an old Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch.  I'm thinking about
> using band decoders (or however it's done these days, depending on the rig)
> to have the antenna switch automatically follow the radios' bands.
> 
> The question I have is, if I'm on my main 20m antenna and want to change to
> a SE tribander, say, how is that generally implemented?  Presumably I'd
> want to be able to select that secondary antenna from either radio.  How
> are folks doing the auto-antenna-switch override?
> 
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:40:02 -0400
> From: Marty Sullaway <marty.sullaway@gmail.com>
> To: Lee Hiers <lee.hiers@gmail.com>
> Cc: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
> Message-ID:
>    <CA+DveWYvh3vknPXSv_R430uB1u4m=k7iH1cY8qo3-xw-bOf_8w@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> Hi Lee
> 
> I'd suggest an antenna switch with more than 6 ports. The HamPlus 2x12 and
> 2x8 boxes are pretty excellent, and their controllers have logic for "bring
> me to the 20m antenna when I go to 20, but let me select the south
> tribander button"
> 
> Best,
> Marty
> NN1C
> 
> 
> 
>> On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 12:21?PM Lee Hiers <lee.hiers@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Folks,
>> 
>> I've got an old Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch.  I'm thinking about
>> using band decoders (or however it's done these days, depending on the rig)
>> to have the antenna switch automatically follow the radios' bands.
>> 
>> The question I have is, if I'm on my main 20m antenna and want to change to
>> a SE tribander, say, how is that generally implemented?  Presumably I'd
>> want to be able to select that secondary antenna from either radio.  How
>> are folks doing the auto-antenna-switch override?
>> 
>> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:12:41 +0000
> From: AB2E Darrell <ab2e@hotmail.com>
> To: Lee Hiers <lee.hiers@gmail.com>, CQ-Contest Reflector
>    <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
> Message-ID:
>    
> <SJ2PR20MB590189545BBA17548FB797F49BFBA@SJ2PR20MB5901.namprd20.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hi Lee,
> At my old QTH 7yrs ago, I had a Sixpak hooked up using an A/B switch.
> For the secondary antenna on the Sixpak, probably the cheapest (and easy) 
> solution is something like a Top Ten Devices A/B switch.
> These were $100 new, but I see them occasionally $50-60 used.
> You would need to power it with a small toggle switch and remember to change 
> it manually when needed.
> 
> A nice antenna switch out there that would do it almost automatically 
> (builtin band decoder) is the Ameritron RCS-12 antenna switch.
> 8 antennas, autotracks with the rig's band via a radio interface cable from 
> the RCS-12, which I am currently using.
> The first antenna per band shows a solid LED for 1-8.
> You select a secondary antenna by holding that button. For instance, Ant1 is 
> your primary, Ant2 is your secondary for 20m, and could be multiband, doesn't 
> matter.
> Ant2 will blink if you had most recently selected Ant1.
> Just tap Ant2 quickly to switch to that antenna, and tap 1 to go back again.
> 
> Not for SO2R, since this is a single radio at a time switch.
> 73
> Darrell AB2E
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+ab2e=hotmail.com@contesting.com> on 
> behalf of Lee Hiers <lee.hiers@gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 18, 2023 11:23 AM
> To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> I've got an old Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch.  I'm thinking about
> using band decoders (or however it's done these days, depending on the rig)
> to have the antenna switch automatically follow the radios' bands.
> 
> The question I have is, if I'm on my main 20m antenna and want to change to
> a SE tribander, say, how is that generally implemented?  Presumably I'd
> want to be able to select that secondary antenna from either radio.  How
> are folks doing the auto-antenna-switch override?
> 
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.contesting.com%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fcq-contest&data=05%7C01%7C%7C9c621abb61004636d45208dbb8634fde%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638306508904550106%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=p81ti9aFE%2B53GHZHbLlWRt4lJm3iHiMMdfaGVv7KKa4%3D&reserved=0<http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest>
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 13:18:43 -0400
> From: Gerry Hull <vy1aaa@vy1ja.ca>
> To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Solution for controlling Aux Antennas from N1MM
> Message-ID:
>    <CAH=7BOdzjuEVCUghujxDk4OG8uhVsNSdE1hN3gKg6Z8JDxkuAA@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> In a number of recent talks I've given on remote operating, many have asked
> about desktop solutions for auxiliary antenna control.
> 
> Aux antennas are those not switched via band decoders or other means, such
> as different antennas for the same band, stack matches, triplexer
> switching, etc.
> 
> A pal asked me again the other day if there was a solution.  He showed me a
> picture of a relay board he has.
> 
> His board is 16 dpdt 5A relays controlled over IP.  The relays are
> controlled by a simple web server on board.
> 
> There are quite a few of these IP controlled relay boards on the market,
> from China, EU countries, and the US.
> 
> So, how to control these relays from N1MM? I have written an application to
> do just that!
> 
> The second attachment is the main UI.
> 
> It listens to the N1MM Radio Information UDP Broadcast on all IP Addresses
> on the LAN, on port 12060, the N1MM default.
> 
> If you have a multiop station with every station on the same LAN subnet,
> you can use this application to centrally control all the aux antennas for
> each op position, as the RadioInfo message contains the radio it is from.
> 
> Essentially, you set up Aux Antenna macros in N1MM:
> {AUXANTSEL 01}
> {AUXANTSEL 02}
> {AUXANTSEL 01}| {AUXANTSEL 02}   - A toggle on the same button.
> 
> Then, you set up the antenna definitions in the Antenna Configurator of
> N1MM.
> 
> In my app, you create "Maps* between the Radio and Aux antenna numbers and
> the URL of the Relays to control.
> 
> You can create an endless number of maps, and can control as many IP Relay
> boards as you wish, only limited by your imagination.
> 
> Some of the relay boards require  basic authentication. This is supported
> in the app; you enter the url as: user:password@ipOrDnsOfBoard.
> 
> The third attachment is the editor for configuring the Maps.  It should be
> easy to use.
> 
> The app is a stand-alone exe, requiring no other files.  It is compatible
> with Win 10 and above and is an x64 executable.
> 
> It is not code-signed, so you might have to go to the Properties of the exe
> and check "Unblock" (The file is safe; code is written in C# Net Core 7.0)
> 
> You can download it from
> http://files.w1ve.com/RelayControl4N1MM.exe
> 
> Your feedback here or gerry@w1ve.com appreciated.
> 
> No guarantees for fitness of purpose, YMMV, and you assume all risks, etc...
> 
> Enjoy!
> 
> 73,
> 
> Gerry W1VE
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:47:12 -0700
> From: <ed@w0yk.com>
> To: "'Reflector: Rtty'" <rtty@groups.io>,    "'groups.io'"
>    <rttydigital@groups.io>,    "'CQ-Contest Reflector'"
>    <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] CQ WW RTTY Practice Sessions
> Message-ID: <011a01d9ea82$11cc73c0$35655b40$@w0yk.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="utf-8"
> 
> The CQ WW contest season opens this weekend with the RTTY mode.  The
> 
> following practice sessions provide an opportunity to check out equipment,
> 
> software, operator, etc.:
> 
> 
> 
> Thursday, 21 September, 2200-2230z
> 
> Friday, 22 September, 0300-0330z
> 
> 
> 
> Use whichever bands work for you at each time slot.  Use regular contest
> 
> messages and be prepared to have someone alert you that the contest starts a
> 
> day later.
> 
> 
> 
> Rules are available at  <http://www.cqwwrtty.com/rules.htm%20> 
> http://www.cqwwrtty.com/rules.htm in English and
> 
> several other languages thanks to a number of volunteer translators.
> 
> 
> 
> MixW users please note the instructions at
> 
> <http://www.cqwwrtty.com/logs.htm#MixW_Notes> 
> http://www.cqwwrtty.com/logs.htm#MixW_Notes which explain how to setup the
> 
> logger prior to the contest so that a proper Cabrillo formatted log file
> 
> can be created after the contest.
> 
> 
> 
> Submit your log using the web tool at  <http://www.cqww.com/logcheck/%20> 
> http://www.cqww.com/logcheck/ which
> 
> checks your log format in real-time for convenient and quick fixes, as
> 
> needed, before submitting to the log server for you.
> 
> 
> 
> Have Fun!
> 
> Ed W0YK
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 22:53:06 -0400
> From: Lee Hiers <lee.hiers@gmail.com>
> To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
> Message-ID:
>    <CAEEr=7Oo6S_8U27g_pgRpmNTDca+OK9iH+_Wv98J8WgDOLazOg@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 3:38?PM Trent VK4TS <vk4ts@outlook.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>> Interesting and lots of answers
>> 
> 
> Thanks to NN1C, N2NT, AB2E, VK4TS, and HS0ZCW.
> 
> I've got a couple of ideas.
> 
> I suppose I was a little incomplete in my info - I've got a SixPak, but
> only using 5 positions.  My 80/160 meter antennas share a feedline (or
> will, once I get my vertical back up).  So, I'll have one extra position
> for my AUX antenna,
> 
> I'd rather not spend the money for a full setup, but I see that Hamplus has
> the MBD-62 that can interface with my old SixPak.  That will allow
> auto-switching, with the ability to select the AUX antenna on either
> radio.  It's about $400, and has two band decoders and looks like it will
> do the switching I want to do.
> 
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:58:22 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Ed Radlo <eddrad@aol.com>
> To: NCCC Main Reflector <nccc@groups.io>, NCCC-blue
>    <nccc-blue@groups.io>,    CQ-Contest Reflector
>    <cq-contest@contesting.com>,    "Reflector: Rtty" <rtty@groups.io>,
>    "groups.io" <rttydigital@groups.io>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Announcing the half hour RTTY NS (NCCC Sprint)
>    contest this Thursday evening Western Hemisphere time.
> Message-ID: <784321413.1910155.1695099502703@mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> 
> RYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRY
> 
> ?
> 
> To all RTTY opsworldwide:??
> 
> This is a reminder thatonce again, the Northern California Contest Club is 
> pleased to present ourregular weekly half hour RTTY Sprint, aka the NS RTTY 
> (or RTTY NS if youprefer), this Thursday evening Western Hemisphere time.? 
> Non-Western Hemisphere stations are welcomein this contest as well.
> 
> And don?t forget the bigCQ WW RTTY Contest this coming weekend, which will 
> feature continuous48 hour action.
> 
> The start time of the NCCC?sRTTY Sprint is always 0145Z, regardless of 
> whether we?re on Standard Time orDaylight Savings Time.
> 
> Last week, in additionto our regulars, we welcomed Mark K5AM and Dennis W1UE, 
> whom we don?t see veryoften. ?We hope to see all of you againthis week!
> 
> For those of you who arenew to our weekly NS RTTY?s, we use a variation of 
> the NCJ Sprint?s QSY rule? 1 KHz QSY?s rather than 5 KHz ? and allow same 
> band duplicate contacts aftermaking at least one intervening contact.??If you 
> need a fullexplanation of these special rules, send me an e-mail, and I?ll 
> give you allthe details, e.g., a precise definition of our QSY rule.?
> 
> Remember to QSY afteryou?ve made a contact that you?ve solicited, and that 
> both callsigns, yourname, your state, and your contact number are required as 
> part of the exchangethat you send.
> 
> After the contest, logsare not required to be submitted anywhere, but please 
> remember to submit yourscore to www.3830scores.com.? It?s easy ? on 3830, the 
> name of thiscontest is ?NCCC RTTY Sprint?.??Reporting your score, whether it 
> bebig or small, helps build enthusiasm for this event. That in turn 
> increasesparticipation for future editions, which benefits all of us.?
> 
> For those of you usingthe popular N1MM+ logger, the contest module to use is 
> NSRTTYDUPE.? A goodset of example function keys is in the N1MM+ website's 
> function key gallery,available for free download.?
> 
> Remember to try 15meters at the beginning of this Thursday night's contest ? 
> 15 has been openwith spotlight propagation at 0145Z.
> 
> The details of ournext NS RTTY:?
> 
> Friday,?22September 2023 UTC, 0145Z to 0215Z (Thursday, 21 September 2023 in 
> NorthAmerica)
> 
> --1845 to 1915 PDT
> 
> --2145 to 2215 EDT
> 
> -- (others in betweenthose two time intervals)
> 
> -- 160 meters:?Try 1804, 1805, or 1806?during the last two minutes
> 
> -- 80/40/20/15 meters:??mostly?+83kHz to +89 kHz up from the lower band edge
> 
> --?Same banddupes are allowed for credit after one intervening QSO
> 
> --?1 kHz QSYrule, otherwise standard NCJ Sprint QSY rules
> 
> -- Multipliers arecounted anew on each band, so if 4 or 5 bands are open, 
> you?ll get a lot ofmults!
> 
> -- 100W output powerlimit
> 
> Please visit?https://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html?for complete rules and 
> links to otherinfo. If you find any problems with the Web pages, please let 
> me know so we canget them fixed.?
> 
> If you would like toreceive all the latest info about NS (both CW and RTTY), 
> as well as a have avehicle for expressing your comments and questions, sign 
> up for the NS mailinglist:??https://groups.io/g/nccc-blue.?
> 
> Contestonlinescore.com?has a slot set up for us if you?d like to make sure 
> yourlogger is talking to the world.? Select ?NCCC NA RTTY Sprint?.?
> 
> Report scores to?3830scores.com, and join us at 0300Z on 3610 kHz (+/- a 
> fewdepending upon who else is on) for comments and questions.?
> 
> 73,?
> 
> EdRadlo??AJ6V
> 
> eddrad@aol.com
> 
> ?
> 
> _._,_._,_
> 
> ?
> 
> ?
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:28:56 -0700
> From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
> Message-ID:
>    <b8773e43-5b86-5bc5-d029-ae23a2172e83@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
>> On 9/18/2023 8:23 AM, Lee Hiers wrote:
>> I've got an old Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch.
> 
> This is a bottom of the barrel product, isolation in the range of 50 dB 
> and the relays aren't great. 4O3A 6x2 is much better, 75 dB, and his 8x2 
> better yet, >100 dB. 4O3A is great to deal with.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Subject: Digest Footer
> 
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> End of CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 249, Issue 11
> *******************************************
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