Return-Path: Received: from mtain-md01.r1000.mx.aol.com (mtain-md01.r1000.mx.aol.com [172.29.96.85]) by air-me03.mail.aol.com (v129.4) with ESMTP id MAILINME031-8ba84d5fe93d2e7; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:01:01 -0500 Received: from post.thorcom.com (post.thorcom.com [195.171.43.25]) by mtain-md01.r1000.mx.aol.com (Internet Inbound) with ESMTP id 9C182380002C6; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:00:59 -0500 (EST) Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.14) id 1PqpE6-0004vS-J6 for rs_out_1@blacksheep.org; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:06 +0000 Received: from [195.171.43.32] (helo=relay1.thorcom.net) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.14) id 1PqpE5-0004vJ-OB for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:05 +0000 Received: from mail-pv0-f171.google.com ([74.125.83.171]) by relay1.thorcom.net with esmtp (Exim 4.63) (envelope-from ) id 1PqpE2-0003De-Hj for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:05 +0000 Received: by pva4 with SMTP id 4so164980pva.16 for ; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 07:59:55 -0800 (PST) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=domainkey-signature:mime-version:in-reply-to:references:date :message-id:subject:from:to:content-type; bh=wFFP4io8BjXzNpAXIvGH2dP2k7/ry87ZLjqTIqUOWVE=; b=KI3ducocdcE6QVXwv1tDh7u6yS7qLk+aFHaiOG/kpo/v/eZTUlwPPDY9tBZNLWtvQ+ 3D7glmnYwHsJ8s0kTnJUQKPKxwmq5TTgBpB0G4doDezEl2fFpUwNe/EkWK/gzuuq1Ml2 s8A1HGlu7pYr+/FuXuNy33ch5s1Kpu+/WKxUg= DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; c=nofws; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=mime-version:in-reply-to:references:date:message-id:subject:from:to :content-type; b=KOOFJqXGbdfRy2Yi+eSHvp4QGYkyDueAMJKPeTqHNyrvLzxBk/o7uR9WNE58qbF7lR zJ4MZxJ9xmDZ5yZ/gPsuMWwM3JyUmdq3ZxXoIaMZbZGdkeMq8GOROQaFJlTKo0E78PJd EbmyjQYtEQqwD+/ZEp/GYiWeNEa+s3WJwyBmU= MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.142.203.3 with SMTP id a3mr1566420wfg.102.1298131194758; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 07:59:54 -0800 (PST) Received: by 10.143.17.7 with HTTP; Sat, 19 Feb 2011 07:59:54 -0800 (PST) In-Reply-To: <002901cbd03d$9c3e1d50$8d01a8c0@JAYDELL> References: <004101cbcfb6$fb13d6d0$0401a8c0@xphd97xgq27nyf> <002301cbcfc1$f1d7ca80$8d01a8c0@JAYDELL> <000201cbd031$461e0ae0$8d01a8c0@JAYDELL> <002901cbd03d$9c3e1d50$8d01a8c0@JAYDELL> Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:59:54 +0100 Message-ID: From: HB9ASB To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org DomainKey-Status: good (testing) X-Spam-Score: 0.0 (/) X-Spam-Report: autolearn=disabled,HTML_MESSAGE=0.001 Subject: Re: LF: TA ... last night Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=000e0cd17de2bc470d049ca4b8f8 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 2.63 (2004-01-11) on post.thorcom.com X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, hits=0.8 required=5.0 tests=HTML_30_40,HTML_MESSAGE autolearn=no version=2.63 X-SA-Exim-Scanned: Yes Sender: owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group X-SA-Exim-Rcpt-To: rs_out_1@blacksheep.org X-SA-Exim-Scanned: No; SAEximRunCond expanded to false x-aol-global-disposition: G X-AOL-SCOLL-AUTHENTICATION: mail_rly_antispam_dkim-m024.2 ; domain : gmail.com DKIM : pass x-aol-sid: 3039ac1d60554d5fe93a4795 X-AOL-IP: 195.171.43.25 X-AOL-SPF: domain : blacksheep.org SPF : none X-Mailer: Unknown (No Version) --000e0cd17de2bc470d049ca4b8f8 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi Jay The transmitter power last night was about 700W RF. Here is a picture of the antenna: http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/img_0463-groc39fe-webansicht.jpg If we come closer, it looks like this: http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/mein-shack.jpg The shelter under the tower is our shack. The tower is freestanding and isolated from the ground, 125m high, and was the spare antenna of an AM broadcast transmitter on 765 kHz. There is certainly a good radial network buried in the ground, but we have found no data. Here you may see the simulation of the tower, we made. The text is in German, but I think the pictures are more important (please scroll down): http://funkperlen.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/sottens-auf-137-khz/ We feed the antenna with a tapped variometer. So far straight forward. The problem was the coil from one leg to ground (as a static discharge and as a feed-line for the flight traffic lights). The inductance of this coil is far too low for 136 kHz. So we've put a capacitor in parallel to get a resonant circuit on 136 kHz: http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/photo-groc39fe-webansicht.jpg for the fine tuning we used one of the original capacitors of the AM transmitter located in the shack :-) http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/img_0451-groc39fe-webansicht.jpg There is also the original Variometer, a beautiful piece, but we couldn't use it: http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/image_large11.jpg I hope I've answered your questions 73 de Toni 2011/2/19 > Toni > > Thanks for the info on you operating conditions. Curious about > the configuration of the antenna / matching system and what > transmitter power was in use last night. The signal was VERY strong! Will be > QRV for any additional T/A transmissions from Sottens. > > Thunderstorms weren't in the forecast and are quite rare here in February. > Earlier in the week we had daily temperatures with highs of 20 degrees F ... > yesterday we peaked out at 60 degrees F ... currently we're back in the 20's > with near whiteout condx in snow squalls! There's an old saying in New > England ... "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute". It sure applied > this week. > > Sorry for the weak signal on 40m - was running exciter power only. I did > fire up the 8877 but an intermittent (maybe just in the metering circuit) > forced a precautionary shutdown. > > Jay W1VD WD2XNS WE2XGR/2 > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* HB9ASB > *To:* rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org > *Sent:* Saturday, February 19, 2011 8:06 AM > *Subject:* Re: LF: TA ... last night > > Hello Jay > > Thank you to made this event possible. The transmitter we are using was > built in 1999 and it is still equipped with a Vackar-VFO (6.8 MHz divided by > 50). I will replace it by a DDS after the Operation in Sottens. For QRSS10 > its stability is at the limit. We can't use it in lower modes. Despite this, > the heavy drift at start up is a mystery. May be we touched the dial > unintentionally. > There is also a problem with overheating of the LPF. I have to build it > bigger, with a cooling fan. > > I don't know yet, if somebody will activate the TX next weekend, I will be > busy Friday and Saturday evening. But to get earlier on the air would > certainly help to find operators ;-) > > So far we have been lucky with the weather condx: In the past weeks it was > dry and unusual warm for the season. No rain, no snow. This may change now. > Hope we don't get the thunderstorms you had. The Tower is isolated from the > ground and there is only a chocke on one leg to discharge the static build > up when in use. Every time we go to the site, we have to open five heavy > blade-switches, one for each leg and one in the shack - in summer it must be > terrible. > > Your 40m signal was not strong over here and we lost you almost in the > hick-hack of the contest. > > Thanks again for your support and your patience. 73 de Toni, HB9ASB > > > 2011/2/19 > >> Toni >> >> Thanks again for the FB QSO! >> >> A couple notes from last night in case you're planning more T/A >> activity ... >> >> HE3OM was quite strong here right from first key down so an earlier start >> time would be appropriate. Between this weekend and next sunset >> changes about 8 minutes. Recommend a start time 1/2 to 1 hour earlier >> - longer if you can manage it. A number of years back I received Brian >> CT1DRP as much as 1-1/2 hours before local sunset. While it wasn't a regular >> occurrence it did show what's possible. Your signal is the strongest I've >> seen from EU so who knows what limits can be pushed. >> >> Signal strength steadily deteriorated as the evening progressed as I've >> noticed this on other EU signals this season. Earlier is better. >> >> On initial startup there was a quick drift down in frequency from 316 to >> about 310 where it stabilized for the rest of the QSO. On slower QRSS modes >> this could drop you 'off screen' on a grabber that displays only a narrow >> frequency range. Assume that was just the equipment warming up. >> >> Thanks to all involved for getting HE3OM on the air - the effort is >> appreciated! >> >> Jay W1VD WD2XNS WE2XGR/2 >> >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> *From:* HB9ASB >> *To:* rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org >> *Sent:* Friday, February 18, 2011 7:13 PM >> *Subject:* Re: LF: TA tonite >> >> TNX QSO Jay >> now we receive on 137.790 in QRSS60 >> 73 de Toni >> >> 2011/2/19 HB9ASB >> >>> Hi Jay >>> thanks a lot. We listen on 7015kHz after transmission >>> 73 de Toni >>> >>> 2011/2/19 >>> >>> Toni >>>> >>>> Signal was unstable but is settling down. Watching in QRSS10. >>>> >>>> http://www.w1vd.com/grabber.html >>>> >>>> Jay W1VD WD2XNS WE2XGR/2 >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> *From:* HB9ASB >>>> *To:* rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org >>>> *Sent:* Friday, February 18, 2011 5:38 PM >>>> *Subject:* Re: LF: TA tonite >>>> >>>> ok Mal >>>> We started on 316 in QRSS10 and will listen on 7015. >>>> 73 de Toni >>>> >>>> 2011/2/18 mal hamilton >>>> >>>>> Now starting on 136.318 qrs 30 and QSX 7022. >>>>> Pse reply on 7022 normal CW with callsign and report if detected. and I >>>>> will immediately cut and send callsign and report. >>>>> will also QSX 137.780 or as requested. >>>>> Nw starting QSO mode >>>>> 73 mal/g3kev >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> > --000e0cd17de2bc470d049ca4b8f8 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Jay
The transmitter power last night was about 700W RF. Here is a pi= cture of the antenna:
http://funkperlen.files.wordpres= s.com/2011/02/img_0463-groc39fe-webansicht.jpg
If we come closer, it looks like this:
http://funkperlen.files.wordpress= .com/2011/01/mein-shack.jpg
The shelter under the tower is our shac= k. The tower is freestanding and isolated from the ground, 125m high, and= was the spare antenna of an AM broadcast transmitter on 765 kHz. There is= certainly a good radial network buried in the ground, but we have found= no data. Here you may see the simulation of the tower, we made. The text= is in German, but I think the pictures are more important (please scroll= down):
http://funkperlen.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/sottens-auf-137-khz/
W= e feed the antenna with a tapped variometer. So far straight forward. The= problem was the coil from one leg to ground (as a static discharge and as= a feed-line for the flight traffic lights). The inductance of this coil= is far too low for 136 kHz. So we've put a capacitor in parallel to= get a resonant circuit on 136 kHz:
http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/photo-groc39fe= -webansicht.jpg
for the fine tuning we used one of the original cap= acitors of the AM transmitter located in the shack :-)
http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/img_0451-gr= oc39fe-webansicht.jpg
There is also the original Variometer, a beau= tiful piece, but we couldn't use it:
http://funkperlen.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/image_large11.jpg
<= br>I hope I've answered your questions
73 de Toni

2011/2/19 <= jrusgrove@comcast.net>
Toni
=A0
Thanks for the info on you operating= =20 conditions.=A0Curious about the=A0configuration=A0of the=A0antenna /=20 matching system and what transmitter=A0power was in use last night. The=20 signal was VERY strong! Will be QRV for any additional T/A transmissions= from=20 Sottens.
=A0
Thunderstorms weren't in the fore= cast and are quite=20 rare here in February. Earlier in the week we had daily temperatures=20 with=A0highs of=A020 degrees F ... yesterday we peaked out at 60 degrees= F=20 ...=A0currently we're back in the=A020's with near whiteout condx= in snow=20 squalls! There's an old saying in New England ... "If you don'= ;t like the=20 weather, wait a minute". It sure applied this week.=A0=A0
=A0
Sorry for the weak signal on 40m - wa= s running=20 exciter power only. I did fire up the=A08877 but an intermittent (maybe ju= st=20 in the metering circuit) forced a precautionary shutdown.
=A0
Jay W1VD=A0 WD2XNS=A0 WE2XGR/2=
=A0
=A0
=A0
=A0
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 HB9ASB
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 8:06=20 AM
Subject: Re: LF: TA ... last nig= ht

Hello Jay

Thank you to made this event possible.= The=20 transmitter we are using was built in 1999 and it is still equipped with= a=20 Vackar-VFO (6.8 MHz divided by 50). I will replace it by a DDS after the= =20 Operation in Sottens. For QRSS10 its stability is at the limit. We can&#= 39;t use=20 it in lower modes. Despite this, the heavy drift at start up is a myster= y. May=20 be we touched the dial unintentionally.
There is also a problem with= =20 overheating of the LPF. I have to build it bigger, with a cooling=20 fan.

I don't know yet, if somebody will activate the TX next= weekend, I=20 will be busy Friday and Saturday evening. But to get earlier on the air= would=20 certainly help to find operators ;-)

So far we have been lucky= with=20 the weather condx: In the past weeks it was dry and unusual warm for the= =20 season. No rain, no snow. This may change now. Hope we don't get the= =20 thunderstorms you had. The Tower is isolated from the ground and there= is only=20 a chocke on one leg to discharge the static build up when in use. Every= time=20 we go to the site, we have to open five heavy blade-switches, one for ea= ch leg=20 and one in the shack - in summer it must be terrible.

Your 40m si= gnal=20 was not strong over here and we lost you almost in the hick-hack of the= =20 contest.

Thanks again for your support and your patience. 73 de= Toni,=20 HB9ASB
=A0

2011/2/19 <jrusgrove@comcast.net>= ;
Toni
=A0
Thanks again for the FB QSO!
=A0
A couple notes from last night in= case you're=20 planning more T/A activity=A0...
=A0
HE3OM was quite strong here right= from first=20 key down so=A0an earlier start time=A0would be appropriate. Between=20 this weekend and next sunset changes=A0about=A08=20 minutes.=A0Recommend a start time=A01/2 to 1 hour earlier=20 -=A0longer if you can manage it. A number of years back I received Bri= an=20 CT1DRP as much as 1-1/2 hours before local sunset. While=A0it wasn'= ;t a=20 regular occurrence it did show what's possible.=A0Your signal is= the=20 strongest I've seen from EU=A0so who knows what limits can be=20 pushed.
=A0
Signal strength steadily deterior= ated as the=20 evening progressed as I've noticed this on other EU signals this= season.=20 Earlier is better.
=A0
On initial startup=A0there was a= quick drift=20 down in frequency from 316 to about 310 where it stabilized for the re= st of=20 the QSO. On slower QRSS modes this could=A0drop you 'off screen= 9;=20 on=A0a grabber that=A0displays only a narrow frequency range. Assume= =20 that was just the equipment=A0warming up.=A0
=A0
Thanks=A0to all involved=20 for=A0getting=A0HE3OM on the air - the effort is=20 appreciated!
=A0
Jay W1VD=A0 WD2XNS=A0=20 WE2XGR/2=A0
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0= =A0=A0=A0
=A0
=A0=A0=A0=A0
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 HB9ASB
Sent: Friday, February 18,= 2011 7:13=20 PM
Subject: Re: LF: TA tonite

TNX QSO Jay
now we receive on 137.790 in QRSS6073 de=20 Toni

2011/2/19 HB9ASB <hb9asb@gmail.com&g= t;
Hi=20 Jay
thanks a lot. We listen on 7015kHz after transmission
73= de=20 Toni

2011/2/19 <jrusgrove@comcast.net<= /a>>=20

Toni
=A0
Signal was unstable but is= =A0settling=20 down. Watching in QRSS10.
=A0
=A0
Jay W1VD=A0 WD2XNS=A0=20 WE2XGR/2
----- Original Message -----=
From:=20 HB9ASB
Sent: Friday, February= 18, 2011=20 5:38 PM
Subject: Re: LF: TA=20 tonite

ok Mal
We started on 316 in QRSS10 and will listen on= =20 7015.
73 de Toni

2011/2/18 mal hamilton <g3kev= mal@talktalk.net>
Now starting on 136.318 qrs 30 and= QSX=20 7022.
Pse reply on 7022 normal CW with= callsign=20 and report if detected. and I will immediately cut and send= =20 callsign and report.
will also QSX 137.780 or as reques= ted.=20
Nw starting QSO mode
73 mal/g3kev
=A0





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