What has happened to Top Band?

**G4LNA** · Sun 20th Nov 2011, 19:32

As the title says really. I used to use Top Band on a very regular basis, but these days there seems to be nobody on, in the middle part of the band that is. I know the band is open because I can quite often hear the Germans, and what sounds like some of the Scandinavian stations coming in quite strongly, and as for the Russians, I wonder what power they are running?

It's a pity as it is a great band for inter-G contacts. I must say, everyone seems to be down the bottom end wanting to work the DX and not interested in having a local chat.

The activity seems to have diminished in just a few recent years.

**techiesteve** · Sun 20th Nov 2011, 22:44

I can hear two nets on top band during the evening. Nothing like the activity there used to be in the 1960's. Then there was local activity every night and weekend mornings. I never hear daytime activity now, but then I don't have a suitable antenna.

**G4LNA** · Mon 21st Nov 2011, 19:34

Hi Steve,

The band during the 1960's used to be very busy indeed, but only a few years ago the band used to be very busy in east London here, both SSB and AM, but these days you might here the odd QSO in some corner of the UK, I seem to be a lonely voice in London these days

Anyone want to make a sked?

**M0WAO** · Mon 21st Nov 2011, 23:03

not having a 160 meter radiator/coil on my sandpiper v9 antenna yet, so as soon i have it i'm in for a try.

**G4LNA** · Tue 22nd Nov 2011, 19:52

Originally Posted by 2E0WAO

not having a 160 meter radiator/coil on my sandpiper v9 antenna yet, so as soon i have it i'm in for a try.

That would be great if you can get something working, my antenna is only small but it covers the UK and beyond, so Crawley is just down the road.

**M0WAO** · Thu 24th Nov 2011, 16:38

Originally Posted by G4LNA

That would be great if you can get something working, my antenna is only small but it covers the UK and beyond, so Crawley is just down the road.

just ordered the 160 meter radiator/coil from sandpiper will get that next week

**G6NHU** · Thu 24th Nov 2011, 19:49

I'm hoping to rehang my long wire at the weekend which will radiate on top band. Just.

**G4LNA** · Thu 24th Nov 2011, 21:26

Sorry I'm a bit slow to replying to you, but my 10MB internet connection is rubbish and apparently it isn't going to get fixed till May/June 2012, what terrible service.
It would be nice if we can hear each other on Top Band. I can usually get on over the weekend in the evenings. I usually hang around 1948KHz. If any of you are around I will take a listen.

**M0WAO** · Wed 30th Nov 2011, 18:49

got my 160 meter bit installed and have it tuned around 1846khz as that's out side the secondary user area. 1948khz will be to high for me, get swr far over 3:1
P1020604.jpg

**G4LNA** · Wed 30th Nov 2011, 19:14

Well done Bilton, I can tune my antenna anywhere, but it does get busy that end of the band with some mighty big signals. Let me know if you want to give it a go.

**M0WAO** · Thu 8th Dec 2011, 08:45

bear in mind that an antenna like i have is very narrow band on the lower frequencies.

got about 59 from both pa3buf & pa5svd and a 54 from ha6zb last night so the sandpiper is working

this was on 1844kc

**techiesteve** · Thu 8th Dec 2011, 09:25

Hi Biton, most interesting to hear you are using a Sandpiper antenna on 160M. I'll be installing a Sandpiper MV6+3 (lowest 80M) or MV10 (with 160M) in the spring. I've cut back a large bush in the corner of the garden but never had time to get the stump out, so nowhere to place it yet in a small garden. I was wary of the 160M option due to the very low bandwidth and having little room for long radials. Without a vertical the only way I'll get out on 160M is via going portable. Good to hear you're making contacts with yours. How have you mounted yours, ground mounted or at height, and what arrangements of radials are you using?

**M0WAO** · Thu 8th Dec 2011, 18:22

@steve,

first of all don't expect wonders from an antenna like this on the 160 meters. but we do need them as not everybody can erect a 300ft tower or can put up a couple km's of wire in the garden. i have the same problem as some do; small garden, space, neighbours, landlords etc.

i'm very happy with my sandpiper. the mv you talking about is shorter then my v9 i have. i bought the v9 5+3 (80 - 10 meters) and later bought the 160 meter radiator/coil for it as i have changed radio (ic-730 -> ft-100). i also bought some parts from the mv to modify the v9 to include the 6 meters band.
that the 160 & 80 meters have very narrow bandwidth is no problem for me as i'm only using lsb on them and not doing any contesting either. (contesting i do on the water

)
i have installed the antenna on a scaffolding pole about 17" above ground as recommended by sandpiper and have 3 copper pins in the ground. no radials as i have no clue where to put them. and that's it

pictures here

**M0WAO** · Mon 12th Dec 2011, 19:11

@paul,

by times i'm on 1844 (+- qrm) in the evenings (around 23:00 gmt) talking to my friends in my native language but we also do speak in english to talk with others

it's a small net from pa3buf & pa5svd and everybody is welcome to join.

**G4LNA** · Mon 12th Dec 2011, 20:17

Thanks for the info Bilton, 23:00 is a bit late for me, I have to be up around 05:00 in the morning to get ready for work, but thanks for the invitation, I will keep that in mind if I have one of my days off.

Nice to hear you are getting on Top Band, speak to you soon.

**M0WAO** · Tue 13th Dec 2011, 00:09

@g4lna, we can always try at another time as i'm not every evening on that net as my friends do, they are pensioners and don't have to go to work any more

or may be on a weekend day?

**G4LNA** · Tue 13th Dec 2011, 05:59

I'm supposed to be a pensioner and I'm still going to work, at lease I've got my twearly pass and my NHS pension

anyway, the company won't let me retire. I'm usually around weekend evenings, but not too late as the shack is inside, so I can't keep the shack manager awake, that is one of the reasons why I use the key mainly late in the evenings.

**G4LNA** · Mon 19th Dec 2011, 17:07

Well, that was an eventful half hour, I've just come off Top Band on 1828KHz CW working Potsdam, Oldenburg and the last station DL0CUX in Cuxhaven the light ship ELBE1. I think I'm going to have to spend a bit more time on there, all good reports of 599, not bad on my small 34 Mtr quad loop

**M0WAO** · Tue 20th Dec 2011, 19:27

well done

at what time did you had these contacts may be next time create a small "in company"

**G4LNA** · Tue 20th Dec 2011, 20:03

Hi Bilton, it was between 16:30 and 17:00. It was interesting because there was no other station on when I put a call out and I had just one contact after another.