N4PY Software gets me TX9
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I worked TX9. After getting up at 4 am since last Thursday and devoting a long
weekend, I had no luck. On Tuesday evening at 7 pm I finally got him on 17 CW. I could not have worked him without N4PY software. My K2/100 is an excellent radio and my 80 meter dipole usually does the job, but they were no match for the combination of loud pileups and weak DX signals. This is because the K2 does not allow different filters for VFO A and VFO B. Using N4PY software I could really narrow the filter to listen for TX9's weak signal on VFO A and, at the same time, use a wide filter on VFO B to find where in the band he was listening. I tried for days to be just a bit up or down from the station he last worked. The wide filter on VFO B made that easy, but still no luck. It sounded like everyone else in the pileup was doing the same thing. Finally I hit on the right combination. Use a narrow filter on VFO A to be sure I could hear him clearly. Use a wide filter on VFO B to listen to the pileup. Then, as soon as he finishes with one QSO, click the A/B button on the N4PY software so you are listening to the pileup. Quickly search for a quiet hole in the mob, tune VFO B there, click A/B again, and start sending your call. You have to be fast. As soon as he finishes with someone, it takes less than a second or two to go to VFO B, find a hole, go to VFO A, and start calling. Without the N4PY software it couldn't be done. The hole moves as the pileup shifts around. To be effective you need to do this after each of his QSOs. I suppose those with dual receivers can do that easily. But, with most of that functionality provided by the software I can be competitive with the big boys with my K2. I have no financial or other interest in the N4PY software other than being a satisfied user. 73 de NA8M John _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi
First - well done & enjoy this rare one. With all my deep love for the K2 (mine #1458) and respect for software by hams for hams - let's not exaggerate. "...Without the N4PY software it couldn't be done..." - absolutely not right. Proper split procedure at the RX end (your or mine...without any software) can assure spotting & finding the DX station and working him, provided all other things are normal (no jamming, proper power etc'). Just done that, 15m cw, no software at all, on my 751A 100W + 3 el beam.(& Yes - it was rough...) 73, Isaac , 4Z4TL ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Huffman" <[hidden email]> To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 2:09 PM Subject: [Elecraft] N4PY Software gets me TX9 > I worked TX9. After getting up at 4 am since last Thursday and devoting a long > weekend, I had no luck. On Tuesday evening at 7 pm I finally got him on 17 CW. > I could not have worked him without N4PY software. > > My K2/100 is an excellent radio and my 80 meter dipole usually does the job, but > they were no match for the combination of loud pileups and weak DX signals. > This is because the K2 does not allow different filters for VFO A and VFO B. > > Using N4PY software I could really narrow the filter to listen for TX9's weak > signal on VFO A and, at the same time, use a wide filter on VFO B to find where > in the band he was listening. > > I tried for days to be just a bit up or down from the station he last worked. > The wide filter on VFO B made that easy, but still no luck. It sounded like > everyone else in the pileup was doing the same thing. > > Finally I hit on the right combination. Use a narrow filter on VFO A to be sure > I could hear him clearly. Use a wide filter on VFO B to listen to the pileup. > Then, as soon as he finishes with one QSO, click the A/B button on the N4PY > software so you are listening to the pileup. Quickly search for a quiet hole in > the mob, tune VFO B there, click A/B again, and start sending your call. > > You have to be fast. As soon as he finishes with someone, it takes less than a > second or two to go to VFO B, find a hole, go to VFO A, and start calling. > Without the N4PY software it couldn't be done. The hole moves as the pileup > shifts around. To be effective you need to do this after each of his QSOs. > > I suppose those with dual receivers can do that easily. But, with most of that > functionality provided by the software I can be competitive with the big boys > with my K2. > > I have no financial or other interest in the N4PY software other than being a > satisfied user. > > 73 de NA8M > John > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Tsachy L wrote:
> Proper split procedure at the RX end (your or mine...without any software) > can assure spotting & finding the > DX station and working him, provided all other things are normal (no > jamming, proper power etc'). > Just done that, 15m cw, no software at all, on my 751A 100W + 3 el beam.(& > Yes - it was rough...) In the really humongous CW pileups, it's very hard to find the station that the DX is working when you are using a narrow bandwidth and slow tuning rate -- and of course these are what you need to hear the weak DX station. Even the N4PY software (which I have and like) doesn't really switch fast enough if the DX station is working quickly at high speed. I've suggested to Elecraft that they make it possible to select bandwidths and tuning rate per-VFO. Maybe they will do it. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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> I've suggested to Elecraft that they make it possible to select bandwidths and > tuning rate per-VFO. Maybe they will do it. I'll second that!! 73 de NA8M John _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by John Huffman
Tsachy -
I'm sure you have no problem. But, with my limited skills I should have more clearly said, " For me,...Without the N4PY software it couldn't be done...". What I mean is that in my situation I could only hear the TX9 with the narrowest filter. However, if I listened on the other VFO the filter was too narrow to hear where he was working or where there was a hole. In this specific case I would need to listen for him to end a QSO, change to VFO B, change filters, tune, change to VFO A, change filters and listen. I'm not that fast. I wish the K2 had the ability to remember what filter is being used with which VFO. But, since it doesn't I'm glad there is software to accomplish that task. It would be a nice improvement if the next revision of the K2 firmware included that feature. Perhaps your 751A allows different filters to be used with the two VFOs? Congratulations on working this rare one! 73 de NA8M John _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: N4PY Software gets me TX9
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In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO
Great idea Vic ! Over here a 'well behaved' pile up is history, and HOPEFULS
and JAMMERS are the norm. Still think that a properly designed panadapter is the best tool - but am I a dinosaur? 73, Geoff GM4ESD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vic Rosenthal" <[hidden email]> To: "Tsachy L" <[hidden email]> Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 9:57 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] N4PY Software gets me TX9 > Tsachy L wrote: > > > Proper split procedure at the RX end (your or mine...without any software) > > can assure spotting & finding the > > DX station and working him, provided all other things are normal (no > > jamming, proper power etc'). > > I've suggested to Elecraft that they make it possible to select bandwidths and > tuning rate per-VFO. Maybe they will do it. > > -- > 73, > Vic, K2VCO > Fresno CA > http://www.qsl.net/k2vco > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by John Huffman
I must be doing something wrong. Worked the TX9 on 15 with my
K1 and a GAP Vertical. RIT & XIT and 5 watts. ... Us West Coast cheaters! He was S9+10 so my 5W shuda bean about S7-9...Good going from MI. .. Can't agree on software... 73, Art W6KY K1-4 K1-2 John Huffman <[hidden email]> wrote: I worked TX9. After getting up at 4 am since last Thursday and devoting a long weekend, I had no luck. On Tuesday evening at 7 pm I finally got him on 17 CW. I could not have worked him without N4PY software. My K2/100 is an excellent radio and my 80 meter dipole usually does the job, but they were no match for the combination of loud pileups and weak DX signals. This is because the K2 does not allow different filters for VFO A and VFO B. Using N4PY software I could really narrow the filter to listen for TX9's weak signal on VFO A and, at the same time, use a wide filter on VFO B to find where in the band he was listening. I tried for days to be just a bit up or down from the station he last worked. The wide filter on VFO B made that easy, but still no luck. It sounded like everyone else in the pileup was doing the same thing. Finally I hit on the right combination. Use a narrow filter on VFO A to be sure I could hear him clearly. Use a wide filter on VFO B to listen to the pileup. Then, as soon as he finishes with one QSO, click the A/B button on the N4PY software so you are listening to the pileup. Quickly search for a quiet hole in the mob, tune VFO B there, click A/B again, and start sending your call. You have to be fast. As soon as he finishes with someone, it takes less than a second or two to go to VFO B, find a hole, go to VFO A, and start calling. Without the N4PY software it couldn't be done. The hole moves as the pileup shifts around. To be effective you need to do this after each of his QSOs. I suppose those with dual receivers can do that easily. But, with most of that functionality provided by the software I can be competitive with the big boys with my K2. I have no financial or other interest in the N4PY software other than being a satisfied user. 73 de NA8M John _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
K2 and the TX9 from the Southeast
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With my poor antennas and equally poor propagation (with only a couple of
exceptions, they were ESP) working the TX9 from here in the Southeast was NOT easy for me! Like some others, I also spent pretty much the entire period of their operation chasing them on about 5 hours of sleep per night. The result: 3 contacts - 2 cw (17 meters - one QRO, one QRP) and 1 ssb (10 meters). TX9 is DXCC # 344 for me so in my little world it had to be "bell to bell." I have 4 stations set up (lots of equipment - lots of covenant restrictions and therefore rotton antennas!) each with linear amps. K2; Icom 756 Pro II; Yaesu 1000MP Mark V; and Collins S-line. All three qso's were made using the K2! With their signals ESP most of the time, the only rig that gave me any sort of readable copy was the K2 - yes, I could tell they were in there on the others but I could actually copy them on the K2 ! In order they were: K2, 75S-3, and the Pro II and MK V were about the same. I know that the 40 year old Collins 75S-3 being second may seem out of place to many but with the 200 hz Collins xtal filter (augmented with the Timewave DSP 5-9+) it is quite amazing even in today's world (see Sherwood's various musings on rcvrs). The Pro II had one advantage over the K2 and the others - the notch filter on it simply is the best! On ssb the notch filter eliminated the cw on top of them on 40 in the "manual" position - the others could not touch it! I've never been impressed with the dsp notch in my K2 even with lots of fiddling with the parameters. I have to rate it as only "fair" - 'course, I believe that the Pro II does the dsp notch at the IF and that makes an amazing difference! There are lots of things about each of the other rigs that I really like - but - if I had to keep just one it would have to be the K2. What an amazing little box! 73 es gud dx --don n4hh K2/100 #2028, etc, etc. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.778 / Virus Database: 525 - Release Date: 10/15/04 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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