[SJDXA] 160 SSB Contest

[Bob Schenck N2OO]

SJDXA members,

I am looking for a head count for the upcoming CQWW 160 SSB Contest that is
scheduled for February 26-27-28.

The CW crew has been hard at work rebuilding the antennas and inside setup
and it looks like we will definitely be QRV this year barring the unforeseen
of course.

Bob W2ARP will be flying up to join us this year. Fyi.

 

Here is John's review of a work party at the site yesterday.

 

Hi Everyone...

 

A quick update on today's 'indoor' work party.....to resolve many lingering
issues identified during the ARRL160 and Stew Perry TBDC.    

Attending 10 to 3 p.m. were K2TW, W2NO and W2GD.

 

First, we re-tested the TX array and found it was still exhibiting SWR
curves essentially identical as those Tom and I recorded following the Stew.
We first ran SWR tests without the selection/combiner box in line at both
low and high power, then then inserted the repaired box in line and repeated
the process...everything stayed the same.....predictable and rock solid
results.  

 

We then recorded OMNI observations, testing at both low and high power...and
found acceptable results for operation from 1800 to 1870.  

 

Finally we attempted to insert a tuner in the NE sloper feedline, but the
tuner failed (burned band switch wafer) so we abandoned this approach for
the time being.

 

Here is the updated table of SWR data for our TX array.

 


SWR on 

1/14 2016

 

 


FREQUENCY

     OMNI

Northeast    Sloper

West  Sloper


1760       

  1.4

2.0 + 

1.7 


1775

  1.4

2.0

1.5


1790

  1.2

1.2

1.4


1800

  1.2

1.2

1.2


1810

  1.3

1.3

1.2


1820

  1.4

1.4

1.1


1830

  1.5

1.4

1.1


1840

  1.7

1.5

1.3


1850

  1.7

1.5

1.3


1870

  1.7

2.0

1.7


1880

  1.7

2.1

2.0

	
 

		
	
 

		

 

 

We did both low and high power SWR tests on the back up Inverted L antenna
and it was found to be under 1.7 to 1 from 1800 to 1870, with a dip near
1830.

 

Dan replaced the very very old PCs servicing the Run and Mult positions.
Both new machines are loaded with the current version of Win-Test (4.19).
All three PCs need to loaded with current country and Super Check Partical
files on contest day.

 

New RG8X jumpers were installed between the Acom 2S1 switch and both xcvrs
and the amplifier and then tested to ensure proper operation.

 

W3LPL 160M band pass filters were installed in the three beverage switch box
output lines going to the Mult, Run and Slave op positions.  More testing is
still required to confirm they do not degrade reception due to insertion
loss which was crudely measured to be about 5 db.

 

Likewise, an ICE 160M band pass filter was inserted in the common transmit
line from the Acom 2S1 switch to the amplifier input.  We also need to test
this change for possible insertion loss issues.

 

A third split was added to the HI-Z Four antenna output so all three K3
equipped operating positions can be used in diversity mode. 

 

We tested the repaired backup Acom 2S1 switch.  It functioned properly.

 

All cables on the table were LABELED!  In the future this will enable
configuring the station exactly the same way for each contest.... not to
mention taking the guess work out of deciding what cable goes where. We
finally have a full set of dedicated station cables - no more borrowing from
individual operator supplied sources. 

 

Measurements were taken to enable construction of two wood shelves, one for
over the Mult and Run positions, and the other for over the Slave position.
These shelves will help resolve most of the 'clutter' problem on the table.

 

While we were on-site today, the AC Electric radio interference tech stopped
by. I gave him an orientation on our operation, the need to have a clear
spectrum around 2 Mhz, etc.  Although today the normally high amplitude
noise on Route 9 just north of Murphy Dr was largely silent, it did erupt
for a brief period and it was readily observed by the tech.  He believes the
source could well be the three fuse holds at that spot on Rt. 9 opposite
Spruce Ave.....Marko will return again for more observations and hopefully a
repair.  

 

Finally we did some noise sniffing (using a small transistor radio) inside
the building and outdoors.  There is a moderately loud arching type noise
being propagated on the building wiring and it can be heard at the breaker
box.  There is also a very loud broadband 'rush' type noise which we've
previously traced to the FM broadcast transmitter (that produces S-9+ noise
on the TX array making it largely unusable for RX).  Finally, we found the
same arching type noise heard in the bldg wiring on the NE beverage coax
feed line out along the driveway.  This cable lays on the ground directly
under power lines for about 100 feet.  Since we could not kill the power to
the building today, it could not be determined if the arching noise is being
generated in the building, or is it coming in from Murphy Drive on the power
grid.  Further testing is required soon. 

 

Overall a most productive day!

 

Below is the preliminary operator list (FT and PT) for the CQ160 CW that
will take place on January 29/30/31:

 

W1GD, K2SG, K2TW, N2HM, N2OO, W2CG, W2GD, W2NO, W2OB and guests N4HY and
W5ZN.

 

73,

 

John W2GD

908 391 5611

 

 

 

See ya' in the Pileups!

73!

Bob Schenck, N2OO

President South Jersey DX Assn

GO SJDXA!!!  <http://www.sjdxa.org/> www.sjdxa.org

Field Day Chairman Old Barney ARC

GO OBARC!!!  <http://www.obarc.org/> www.obarc.org

 

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