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Re: Topband: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu@w0mu.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2016 08:33:40 -0700
List-post: <topband@contesting.com">mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Grats! You guys were loud! That would mean more if I was in Europe and not Colorado HI! Great job!


On 12/5/2016 3:05 AM, KY7M wrote:
The inaugural use of the NA7TB callsign for the 8-Circle 160m antenna built by N5IA (sk) 
resulted in a clean sweep.  We ran as a multi-single with operators KY7M and AA7A (still 
jet lagged from CQWW CW at PZ5V).  Going into Saturday night, we needed only NT and NL 
after a station in NNY called us.  I had checked spots for VY1AAA, but could not hear him 
until he parked a few Hertz above my run QRG.  I gladly worked him and QSY'ed.  
Similarly, with VO1HP, I kept checking spots and found him "hidden" under a 
loud Midwest station. I was able to get his attention and a report for the sweep.  It was 
very satisfying to say the least and certainly more challenging than on the HF bands in 
SS.

It has taken many trips from Phoenix to Safford, AZ (4 hours each way) to get 
Milt's dream 160m station ready for the season, but this weekend's results 
would have made him proud.  We will be using the NA7-Top-Band callsign in Stew 
Perry and CQ 160 for the Milt Jensen Memorial Station.  Thanks for all your Qs.

Lee, KY7M

On Dec 5, 2016, at 12:22 AM, topband-request@contesting.com wrote:

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Today's Topics:

   1. coax soldering (Larry)
   2. Re: coax soldering (Renee K6FSB)
   3. Re: coax soldering (DXer)
   4. Re: coax soldering (MICHAEL ST ANGELO)
   5. Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160 (Ward Silver)
   6. Re: Topband Digest, Vol 168, Issue 3 (David Olean)
   7. Re: coax soldering (Mike Waters)
   8. Fwd:  Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #21 (Lew Sayre)
   9. Re: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160 (Mark K3MSB)
  10. Re: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160 (Ward Silver)
  11. ARRL 160 (Lee STRAHAN)
  12. Re: ARRL 160 (Lee STRAHAN)
  13. Re: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160 (Stan Stockton)
  14. ARRL 160m (Ilmo Anttila)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 14:50:55 -0500
From: Larry <pacer99@aol.com>
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: coax soldering
Message-ID: <158cb63a7fa-2fd9-563d@webprd-m107.mail.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

hi guys,


planning on installing some more beverages. i have a roll of CATV 75 ohm cable. 
it is the kind with a double shield. aluminum wrap over tinned copper shield. 
there is some kind of sticky on the shield and i dont think that i can solder 
efficiently to it.


what is the best way to clean the "sticky" off the shield so that i can solder 
to it for PL259's?


thanks,
larry
n7dd


------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 12:03:56 -0800
From: Renee K6FSB <k6fsb.1@gmail.com>
To: Larry <pacer99@aol.com>, topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: coax soldering
Message-ID: <65995ff7-376f-b0ef-f911-2bc258de979d@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

I think the best method is F connector, snap and seal, if you must have
a 259 use an adapter.

Ren?e, K6FSB


On 2016-12-04 11:50 AM, Larry via Topband wrote:
hi guys,


planning on installing some more beverages. i have a roll of CATV 75 ohm cable. 
it is the kind with a double shield. aluminum wrap over tinned copper shield. 
there is some kind of sticky on the shield and i dont think that i can solder 
efficiently to it.


what is the best way to clean the "sticky" off the shield so that i can solder 
to it for PL259's?


thanks,
larry
n7dd
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 15:31:45 -0500
From: DXer <hfdxmonitor@gmail.com>
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: coax soldering
Message-ID: <1985188b-5076-47f0-2b62-cb77913c32ad@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

That's exactly what I've been doing for some years now. I buy the cable
already terminated with F connectors, and add BNC, PL259, or N adapters
as required.

Not the most efficient as far as minimizing losses is concerned, but
terminating cable is not something I enjoy.

I don't know how this would work with hi power. I operate with less than
100W always.

73 de Vince, VA3VF

On 2016-12-04 3:03 PM, Renee K6FSB wrote:
I think the best method is F connector, snap and seal, if you must have
a 259 use an adapter.

Ren?e, K6FSB


On 2016-12-04 11:50 AM, Larry via Topband wrote:
hi guys,


planning on installing some more beverages. i have a roll of CATV 75
ohm cable. it is the kind with a double shield. aluminum wrap over
tinned copper shield. there is some kind of sticky on the shield and i
dont think that i can solder efficiently to it.


what is the best way to clean the "sticky" off the shield so that i
can solder to it for PL259's?


thanks,
larry
n7dd
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 15:56:19 -0500 (EST)
From: MICHAEL ST ANGELO <mstangelo@comcast.net>
To: DXer <hfdxmonitor@gmail.com>, topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: coax soldering
Message-ID: <1417921643.120634.1480884979572@connect.xfinity.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I don't like soldering to coax connectors and use crimp connectors.


I know they made BNC crimp connectors for RG-6. They may make crimp type PL259 
connectors for RG-6.


Another option is to stick with F type compression connectors and install  F 
type female receptacles on the equipment.


Mike N2MS


    On December 4, 2016 at 3:31 PM DXer <hfdxmonitor@gmail.com> wrote:

    That's exactly what I've been doing for some years now. I buy the cable
    already terminated with F connectors, and add BNC, PL259, or N adapters
    as required.

    Not the most efficient as far as minimizing losses is concerned, but
    terminating cable is not something I enjoy.

    I don't know how this would work with hi power. I operate with less than
    100W always.

    73 de Vince, VA3VF

    On 2016-12-04 3:03 PM, Renee K6FSB wrote:

        I think the best method is F connector, snap and seal, if you must have
        a 259 use an adapter.

        Ren?e, K6FSB

        On 2016-12-04 11:50 AM, Larry via Topband wrote:

            hi guys,

            planning on installing some more beverages. i have a roll of CATV 75
            ohm cable. it is the kind with a double shield. aluminum wrap over
            tinned copper shield. there is some kind of sticky on the shield 
and i
            dont think that i can solder efficiently to it.

            what is the best way to clean the "sticky" off the shield so that i
            can solder to it for PL259's?

            thanks,
            larry
            n7dd

            _________________
            Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 15:17:14 -0600
From: Ward Silver <hwardsil@gmail.com>
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160
Message-ID: <12f522c5-21aa-b0af-bdfd-eb7ecbdbf296@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

Not by me, I assure you, but several have been reported after this
weekend's excellent conditions.

Does anyone know of historical clean sweeps of all ARRL/RAC sections in
any prior ARRL 160 contests?  The online score database only lists
"mults" which include both sections and DXCC entities.

73, Ward N0AX



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 21:22:18 +0000
From: David Olean <K1WHS@metrocast.net>
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 168, Issue 3
Message-ID: <bce0530b-beb8-7fd6-8856-8b01e8ac6334@metrocast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

Hello Tree

     I tried calling you early on, with no luck in the ARRL 160 test.
Possibly your noise was one reason you could not pick me out.  Later on,
you called me while I was CQing, so all was good. I have a W8JI  DXE
phasing box here, (NCC-1) and I use it to help cancel out some awful
line noise to my west.  I suspect that there are many noise sources all
contributing, but I am able to improve my S/N ratio quite well with the
NCC-1.  I phase two beverages aimed at 220 and 260 degrees, and feed the
output of the NCC-1 to my K3. At times I can get rid of about 10 dB of
crud.  It isn't perfect, but it helps. Every day seems different, but it
usually helps most of the time. I lose when the signal is the same
heading as the noisy pole.

I am building another beverage and have hacked about 500 ft of brush
thru the woods so far. I have much more to go as I am hoping to lay out
1200 to 1500 ft of wire aimed at 290 degrees. I am hoping that it is out
of the noise direction and will be quieter and work for stations in the
far west. I have a JA wire aimed at 330 and it is quiet. I think that
290 degrees is beverage #7 and my woods are getting pretty crowded with
overhead wires. Only the west and SW wires are noisy.

Dave K1WHS

Lebanon, ME.


    3. New use for Noise Canceling box (Tree)
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2016 06:01:23 -0800
From: Tree <tree@kkn.net>
To: 160 <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: New use for Noise Canceling box
Message-ID:
    <CAKF9Hhaqb96NW4+914g-UO1pbyfNJYZs9FR10wWxjUuRuXwUkg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Last night - around 8 PM or so - this HUGE noise signal showed up on 160 -
sweeping up the band slowly.  Probably a DC power supply with signals every
80 kHz or something.  But - it has some energy all over the ban - thus
rasing my noise floor.  Sorry if I was an alligator last night.

I put a Beverage up to the East just before the contest started - so I had
two RX antennas - the other being a Hi-Z 4 square.  The Hi-Z said the noise
signal was East - perhaps a bit stronger in the South direction than North
- so call it just South of East.  The Beverage picked it up very well - so
it agreed.  A feeble attempt at DFing last night was unsuccessful - but
will be tried again if it stays on during the daytime.  It is still on this
morning before Sunrise.

The nasty part of the noise is about the same signal strength as most good
signals coming in that are not local (looking at the band scope).  It has a
10 kHz or so wide peak.

I was able to put the two RX antennas into a MFJ-1026 - with the output
going to the RX input of my K3 - and adjusted the controls to null out the
noise.  With a local signal - I have been able to obtain deep nulls and
this proved to be true with this noise.  I was actually running guys on the
East coast right in the middle of the worst part of the noise after doing
this.

This technique would likely be useful for those who have a similar noise
situation - so I wanted to share.  You obviously don't need a beverage for
the "noise" antenna - just something that is good at picking up the noise
and perhaps nothing much else.  If you have a neighbor that has a noisy
device - just put something that is close to their house.

It's a battle out there to keep your noise sources under control.  I'll
report back if I am successful in finding this one.

73 Tree N6TR / K7RAT




------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 16:25:09 -0600
From: Mike Waters <mikewate@gmail.com>
To: topband <topband@contesting.com>
Cc: Larry <pacer99@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: coax soldering
Message-ID:
    <CA+FxYXgxRWphyuF8ECZibGW8ZTp6QfR34NVrU0sv7gHbanJKQw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Larry,

K6FSB and N2MS just gave you the correct answer!

You'll need the correct stripping and crimping tools, and the right
snap-and-seal connectors. It's a one-time, low-cost investment that will
save you much time and frustration. Once you try it, you'll see.

There is nothing "sacred" about soldering. Think about the billions of
crimped F-connectors in all the CATV, etc. systems in the world.

Also, the sticky is "flooding compound". It's your friend, as nasty as it
is. :-)

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Sun, Dec 4, 2016 at 2:03 PM, Renee K6FSB <k6fsb.1@gmail.com> wrote:

I think the best method is F connector, snap and seal, if you must have a
259 use an adapter.

Ren?e, K6FSB

On 2016-12-04 11:50 AM, Larry via Topband wrote:

... i have a roll of CATV 75 ohm cable. it is the kind with a double
shield. aluminum wrap over tinned copper shield. there is some kind of
sticky on the shield and i dont think that i can solder efficiently to it.


------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 14:50:02 -0800
From: Lew Sayre <w7ew@arrl.net>
To: "topband@contesting.com" <topband@contesting.com>,
    cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Fwd:  Stew Perry TopBand DX Challenge #21
Message-ID:
    <CAPqMs-=2m0WP=3VP1gnTXvYrQM5wrDiJywNGugFBzVnp6X1MuA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Greetings Contesters or Wannabes of Top Band,
    The ARRL 160M contest is over and was pretty darn good. The
participants have in mind what needs to be done
for the final station systems  preparation for The Stew Perry Top Band DX
Challenge. If you don't have a working system
you have until Dec 17, when the starting gong for The Stew is struck at
Club HQ to brew up one up. You can do it!
     Where else can you sit for hours while it is dark outside listening to
static while picking the sound shrapnel out of the
cacophony while using physics in its finest form?
     The rules are unique and pretty clear. Go memorize them here:
http://www.kkn.net/stew/     Read them critically and you'll see contesting
in a different light.
     The Boring Amateur Radio Club sponsors The Stew Perry and the
contestants sponsor plaques to spur on and
reward the combatants for great radio feats performed during The Challenge.
The sponsors and categories listed
below are to be congratulated and thanked for their creativeness and
support. You can become a listed Stalwart
also by emailing me with your plaque idea and the $60 or $63 to make it
happen. You can do it now.

KL7RA       Top # of QSOs by a S/O
N0TT          Top Score, S/O, <21Y/O, > 200 QSOs
K7CA         Top Score S/O China
K7CA          Top Score S/O CQ Zone 24,27 or 28
KH6LC       VK/ZL Challenge- Top S/O VK-ZL
AA6VB       Top Score Big City >50K, Little Pistol <100W
AA6VB       Top Score Base Loaded Vertical < 60' tall
N6TQ/A25TQ    California Dreaming- Top # of QSOs with Cal
    VK0EK         Stations by a non-California station
Rochester DX Assoc   Top Score,S/O, L-P, Outside N. America
UX1UA        Top # NA + SA QSOs by Zone 16 station
K7FL          Top Score 100% Search and Pounce
K9JWV/WC7S    Top QRP Score,West of Mississippi,wire antennas
Dr. Beldar-L1AR   Top Score,S/O, Temporary Antenna erected > Dec.3
                       (All parts of temporary antenna including radials
must be
                      installed after Dec. 3, 2016. This antenna must be
the only
                     antenna for TopBand at the station and may be left
erected
                     because as we all know "temporary" means "until I die"
KR2Q            Golden Log Award

K2PO            Top Score, S/O, Low Power Zone 3
N6TR             Top Score, S/O, Hi-Power CN Grid Field
W2GD Team    Top # QSOs, NA/SA by a European Station
VK6VZ       VK6HD Memorial- Top Score by N. hemisphere station working S.
hemisphere stations.
                  Winner gets a new, fresh Flying Doctors of VK baseball
hat

     This year the time until The Stew is very short so please get those
chores and promises done
soon so you can spend an unencumbered night flinging and catching grid
squares from anywhere
that the Laws of Physics allow 160M radio waves to propagate.
     Don't see a category yet that quickens your pulse?  Sponsor one and
perhaps make it personal
with your radio peers. Only the entire 160M radio Community will be
noticing and participating. Just
remember to include what plaques you are competing for in your comments
section of your log submission.
We're pretty good at putting on radio contests but not so hot at mind
reading.
    73 and I remain,
     Lew      w7ew
The Boring Amateur Radio Club Committee on Stew Stuff
   w7ew@arrl.net


------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 17:54:13 -0500
From: Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb@gmail.com>
To: Ward Silver <hwardsil@gmail.com>
Cc: topBand List <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160
Message-ID:
    <CABdVoaAr1fiqSDNBbQO-aHQ42q7REk5NpG2OzwqcRqDNTc78pQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

3830 Scores -> Contest Summaries is one source, but it's not official

http://3830scores.com/listeditions.php?arg=B6cgaWz5a3

73 Mark K3MSB

On Dec 4, 2016 4:17 PM, "Ward Silver" <hwardsil@gmail.com> wrote:

Not by me, I assure you, but several have been reported after this
weekend's excellent conditions.

Does anyone know of historical clean sweeps of all ARRL/RAC sections in
any prior ARRL 160 contests?  The online score database only lists "mults"
which include both sections and DXCC entities.

73, Ward N0AX

_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 17:51:16 -0600
From: Ward Silver <hwardsil@gmail.com>
To: Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb@gmail.com>
Cc: topBand List <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160
Message-ID: <c59821c6-a85f-f01e-6c41-1e1ee79f3704@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

Yeah - manual but doable.  There are a lot of obviously wrong entries
there - like "97" sections.  Probably a typo or sections + entities.
I'm looking for "83" :-)

73, Ward N0AX


On 12/4/2016 4:54 PM, Mark K3MSB wrote:
3830 Scores -> Contest Summaries is one source, but it's not official

http://3830scores.com/listeditions.php?arg=B6cgaWz5a3

73 Mark K3MSB

On Dec 4, 2016 4:17 PM, "Ward Silver" <hwardsil@gmail.com
<mailto:hwardsil@gmail.com>> wrote:

    Not by me, I assure you, but several have been reported after this
    weekend's excellent conditions.

    Does anyone know of historical clean sweeps of all ARRL/RAC
    sections in any prior ARRL 160 contests?  The online score
    database only lists "mults" which include both sections and DXCC
    entities.

    73, Ward N0AX



------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2016 00:14:01 +0000
From: Lee STRAHAN <k7tjr@msn.com>
To: "Topband@contesting.com" <Topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: ARRL 160
Message-ID:
    
<CY1PR19MB031639386EA7FBBD2915C9F5F5830@CY1PR19MB0316.namprd19.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

   Did anyone else work the station IDing as 4MJK?
The ARRL robot will not accept that call sign. I was pretty sure I had it right.
Lee K7TJR  OR


------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2016 00:26:15 +0000
From: Lee STRAHAN <k7tjr@msn.com>
To: "Topband@contesting.com" <Topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160
Message-ID:
    
<CY1PR19MB03168EDA65029C1187D7CF78F5830@CY1PR19MB0316.namprd19.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


   Bingo you guys are great. One little Dah.
TNX Lee

   Did anyone else work the station IDing as 4MJK?
The ARRL robot will not accept that call sign. I was pretty sure I had it right.
Lee K7TJR  OR
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2016 20:35:42 -0500
From: Stan Stockton <wa5rtg@gmail.com>
To: Ward Silver <hwardsil@gmail.com>
Cc: Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb@gmail.com>, topBand List
    <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Clean Sweeps in ARRL 160
Message-ID: <2C5E211F-9847-43D4-BE0F-6E0B40C18211@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have it in mind that K5NA made a clean sweep many years ago and that was the 
first.

I was not able to find VY1 this weekend or it would have been cool to work all 
83 from the DX side.  VE4GV literally woke me up for #82 with one call and a 
big signal at 35 WPM.

Stan, ZF9CW

Sent from Stan's IPhone



On Dec 4, 2016, at 6:51 PM, Ward Silver <hwardsil@gmail.com> wrote:

Yeah - manual but doable.  There are a lot of obviously wrong entries there - like "97" 
sections.  Probably a typo or sections + entities.  I'm looking for "83" :-)

73, Ward N0AX


On 12/4/2016 4:54 PM, Mark K3MSB wrote:
3830 Scores -> Contest Summaries is one source, but it's not official

http://3830scores.com/listeditions.php?arg=B6cgaWz5a3

73 Mark K3MSB

On Dec 4, 2016 4:17 PM, "Ward Silver" <hwardsil@gmail.com 
<mailto:hwardsil@gmail.com>> wrote:

   Not by me, I assure you, but several have been reported after this
   weekend's excellent conditions.

   Does anyone know of historical clean sweeps of all ARRL/RAC
   sections in any prior ARRL 160 contests?  The online score
   database only lists "mults" which include both sections and DXCC
   entities.

   73, Ward N0AX

_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2016 09:22:21 +0200
From: "Ilmo Anttila" <ilmo.anttila@qualisys.fi>
To: "'Top Band'" <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: ARRL 160m
Message-ID: <000101d24ec8$52768350$f76389f0$@qualisys.fi>
Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"

Worked about 50 NA stations in the contest. It is a long time conditions
have been so good for us here in North. Saturday morning was much better
than Sunday morning.

Most western sections were AZ and CO. Heard also OR but no luck this time.



73!

Ilmo, OH2BO



------------------------------

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------------------------------

End of Topband Digest, Vol 168, Issue 5
***************************************
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