QSB reported on 40 meters [Archive]

KA4DPO

04-06-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ April 06 2007,08:24)]I just bought a new leenyer to get rid of them dang QSB's.

I figured I'd turn all knobs to the right to get the most pounds.

Next thing you know it blew up in smoke.

When I called the manufacturer they said that it's my fault.

What kind of idiots don't stand behind their product? #

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
They got some kind a nerve, what's this world comming to?

ky5u

04-06-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ April 05 2007,21:30)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Glad you have a sense of humor.
Don't leave off the "of humor" part. Otherwise..

n0nwo

04-06-2007, 02:47 PM

I'm even more confused than normal. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Minton

ky5u

04-06-2007, 02:50 PM

10 future KWW post subjects:

1) Did you know that you can't drive a ground rod into concrete!!

2) What's that bright light in the eastern sky this AM?

3) Did you know you can't eat a "Happy Meal" and whistle into the mike to tune your SSB rig at the same time?

4) You can check a rig for RF output with your tongue...but be careful. Sometimes those RF connectors get really HOT and will burn your tongue.

5) If you build a store bought dipole with black rope and tie it off with that wire they give you, it won't load.

6) Look at the pretty bunnies!

7) Why is it that when you go lower in frequency and shorten your dipole it doesn't work? What's up with that?

8) You can use a straight morse code key to add a roger beep to your HF transmissions!

9) I QSOed with a guy in China this morning and he kept saying it was night time. Why would he lie to me?

10) Where do you plug the cable on a bird wattmeter? I moved the feathers around but I can't find the connectors.

KD6NIG

04-06-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ April 06 2007,06:24)]I just bought a new leenyer to get rid of them dang QSB's.

I figured I'd turn all knobs to the right to get the most pounds.

Next thing you know it blew up in smoke.

When I called the manufacturer they said that it's my fault.

What kind of idiots don't stand behind their product?

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Thats because you used a callsign, instead of a catchy handle like "Bandit" when you transmitted.

You also failed to say "break 1-9, break 1-9". You are a rude operator, and as the soup nazi would say....

"NO RF FOR YOU! NO WARRANTY! YOU BUY ANOTHER IN ONE YEAR!"

N8CPA

04-07-2007, 08:34 AM

And sometimes CW ops talk about my former wife. I can't count how many times I've heard 599X. How do they know I was married before? Or are they trying to tell me about their former relationships? Why do I care?

k0cmh

04-07-2007, 01:50 PM

AG4YO:

Regarding your #3: #" Did you know you can't eat a "Happy Meal" and whistle into the mike to tune your SSB rig at the same time?"

Of course I can. #There are just two things one has to master to acomplish this great feat. #1. #Remember to wipe the crud off the microphone every now and then or else the audio gets real low, and 2. Those little toys get pretty crunchy, but keep chewing and it will get chewed.
73

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

AC0H

04-07-2007, 03:21 PM

The question I need answered is what happens if my rig doesn't have excess SWR's?
Am I missing out on something? Do I need a new radio? Maybe hold my mouth differently while sending? What?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I don't want to be the only Ham on the block without the right number of SWR's. It wouldn't look right.

G0GQK

04-07-2007, 09:39 PM

Just don't worry about it. I bet your rig has a load of VSWR's, which are the upgrade version.Check through the menu, they'll be there.

G0GQK http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

WA9SVD

04-07-2007, 10:19 PM

But I was told that if I put a LID on my VSWR's, the QSB will vanish. Is that only a myth?

K6UEY

04-07-2007, 10:47 PM

The lack of adequate VSWR's is a new strategy to sell more rigs. They found if you tell a computer Geek he needs a new computer or software every six months he will run out and buy one.

With the large numbers of nonRadio Computer people now in HamRadio they thought they would extend the ploy.

They now market the radios with a minimum number of VSWR's in the meter.When you call the service desk(in INDIA) they say you must buy another rig and ask for the option with the VSWR's.

The new rigs with the VSWR's built in will be available in 6 months. They are hoping sales will increase with this successful tried and true marketing Gimmick !!

AC0H

04-07-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote[/b] ]The lack of adequate VSWR's is a new strategy to sell more rigs. They found if you tell a computer Geek he needs a new computer or software every six months he will run out and buy one.

I haven't built one in a few years. Just too damn expensive trying to keep up with the Jone's.

I am starting to get that itch though.

Asus mobo, Intel Core 2 duo E-6600, 2Gig of DDR2 Ram, a couple of 500G SATA drives, DVD-RW, 512MB PCI-E 16 Video card, NVIDIA preferably. Already got the 20" wide screen (16x10) LCD.

Solitaire will be kewl on that bad boy!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

WA9SVD

04-08-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote[/b] (AC0H @ April 07 2007,16:52)]Quote[/b] ]The lack of adequate VSWR's is a new strategy to sell more rigs. They found if you tell a computer Geek he needs a new computer or software every six months he will run out and buy one.

I haven't built one in a few years. Just too damn expensive trying to keep up with the Jone's.

I am starting to get that itch though.

Asus mobo, Intel Core 2 duo E-6600, 2Gig of DDR2 Ram, a couple of 500G SATA drives, DVD-RW, 512MB PCI-E 16 Video card, NVIDIA preferably. Already got the 20" wide screen (16x10) LCD.

Solitaire will be kewl on that bad boy!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
PONG is WAY kewler than that! (Keep your eye on the ball...)

k7mh

04-08-2007, 04:27 PM

Anyone remember the 3CX1000QSBA7 boy was that an unstable tube! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

WA9SVD

04-09-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote[/b] (k7mh @ April 08 2007,09:27)]Anyone remember the 3CX1000QSBA7 boy was that an unstable tube! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
You mean it was a psychoceramic? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

kn4ds

04-09-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ April 09 2007,14:28)]Quote[/b] (k7mh @ April 08 2007,09:27)]Anyone remember the 3CX1000QSBA7 boy was that an unstable tube! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
You mean it was a psychoceramic? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
OK, we can all rest now.. that's the groaner of the day...

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

ac3p

04-09-2007, 07:43 PM

Quote[/b] ]2) What's that bright light in the eastern sky this AM?

Somebody's operating AM? What band? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

ab8ma

04-09-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ April 06 2007,14:50)]6) Look at the pretty bunnies!
Number 6 gets my vote.

N9XR

04-09-2007, 08:03 PM

Maybe it is just me, but I think people's problem with VSWR is mostly imaginary.

kl7aj

04-09-2007, 08:54 PM

ARRRRRGGGGHHHH! It's things like this that make me want to quit the hobby! I bet it was INTENTIONAL QSB to boot!

I"m disgusted. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

eric

WA2ZDY

04-09-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ April 06 2007,09:24)]Next thing you know it blew up in smoke.
I'll bet there was some QSB when that happened.

K8MHZ

04-09-2007, 09:05 PM

Some of that intentional QSB could actually be considered malicious.

kl7aj

04-10-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote[/b] (k8mhz @ April 09 2007,14:05)]Some of that intentional QSB could actually be considered malicious.
COULD be? That is far too mild!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

eric

AC0H

04-10-2007, 11:27 PM

Quote[/b] (ac3p @ April 09 2007,14:43)]Quote[/b] ]2) What's that bright light in the eastern sky this AM?

Somebody's operating AM? What band? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Yes, lets expose the backward thinking Luddites for what they really are.

N8CPA

04-11-2007, 12:31 AM

QSO went QSB
QSL went SOL
Woe is me!

W5HTW

04-11-2007, 12:44 AM

I had one of them thar ole QSBs up thar on them thar extry channels. Wa'al maybe hit wuz a QTH or a QT-10-20 or sumptin' like thet thar. Anyways, I tossed a couple more pounds on the fire, whupped up mah leenyar a bit, ya know, and chased sum of them thar lil ole swrs out of th' wiar, and them ole QSBs seemed to be a lil better. Flipped all them thar knobs fully to the right, even the one on thet thar old Turner Plus 4 power mike, and I cud see them thar QSBs or 10-Bs or whutever they wuz, just a-leapin' from the top of my meter and runnin' up thet thar ole wire. All ya gotta do when them QSBs come down th' wiar is hit 'em wid a few more pounds, and get them swrs down a bit more, and you won't see no more QSBs, QSL?

ab8ma

04-11-2007, 12:58 AM

Got to get one of them good radeos with the QSB knob on the front. Works great with the quad (4 channel). I think the old timers called it the "fade control". Kind of pricey though cause it has in it's circuit one of them POTENTIOMETERS. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

WA9SVD

04-12-2007, 01:08 PM

The QSB IS mailcious, because Nature CAN be a mother... But even more surprising is the report of the elusive "Crashes" heard on 75 Meters. Believe it or not, there are Amateurs that have never even heard these rare phenomena, and may even doubt they exist. (Of course, there are some hams that have never listened to 75/80 Meters between March and November...) For most of us, though, it doesn't take a bolt of lightning to make us believers. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

ab1ga

04-12-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote[/b] (ab8ma @ April 10 2007,19:58)]Got to get one of them good radeos with the QSB knob on the front. Works great with the quad (4 channel). I think the old timers called it the "fade control". Kind of pricey though cause it has in it's circuit one of them POTENTIOMETERS. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Yeah, I got me one of them radios with a FADER knob on it and it cost me a fortune.

But I can't really complain about the price cuz the vendor threw in a bunch of really nice accessories, like a Subaru!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

WA9SVD

04-12-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote[/b] (n9xr @ April 09 2007,13:03)]Maybe it is just me, but I think people's problem with VSWR is mostly imaginary.
At one time I even worried about ISWR's, but my Elmer told me it was just a phase I was going through.

K4KWH

04-14-2007, 06:50 PM

Good to have fun--so long as we don't take it TOO far. #For those newbies and in their defense, stop and think that you weren't always BORN with such vast knowledge!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I know, I know. I run into it regularly with folks that buy and install HF antennas and they simply have NO clue. Doubt they even bothered to read the instructions; this is a Plug 'n Play world, remember?
NOT with HF you don't!!!! #So they come back to ME, the implication being, "hey, YOUR antenna won't work, so it is defective. #Saw one recently installed DIRECTLY to a swing-out tire rack (SUV). No insulation, no nothing. Shorted down! #Up/down switch wired totally wrong--even in the presence of instructions. #Almost set the vehicle on fire. #Didn't/doesn't understand that the tire rack is NOT a good place to have a mobile screwdriver (hinges, grease "insulate" the thing from ground causing impedance issues. Path to a real ground too long?) No clue about said impedance and how its #effect/relationship to making a low band antenna works. #It's the impedance thing I run into more than anything--sometimes with "Extra" (?) hams. #They simply memorized the questions and sat the exam, promptly forgetting anything that they
read. #WHAP! Instant "ham"! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #Hey, I don't know it all, but I have a LOT of experience! If I had a beef, it is with those who take the exams, call themselves "amateur radio operators", and never crack a book or TRY to learn somebout how things are done. #These are the ones who crowd around the
stove while they wait for W4 so-n-so to fix their radio just like they did when they (maybe) were 11 Meter ops! Or waiting to have an antenna installed FOR them "because this here antenna you sold me doesn't work". I'm gonna start charging DOUBLE for installs! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Having said that, hey, give 'em a CHANCE. #YOU were a newbie at one time! #Didn't YOU ever short out something? Let the smoke out of the radio? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif #Turn a slug you shouldn'a? #We were ALL young once.

73

ky5u

04-14-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote[/b] (K4KWH @ April 14 2007,11:50)]Good to have fun--so long as we don't take it TOO far. For those newbies and in their defense, stop and think that you weren't always BORN with such vast knowledge!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Yep, and I wan't too proud to latch onto the oldest, grumpiest, mose experienced guy and pick his brain dry. Look up my first mentor, Jefferson Davis Bloom (JD Bloom) on the net. I was 17 at the time and by the time I was 18 I had 60 years of broadcast knowledge to work with. Learned alot from a Ham named Ralph Hartwell too. He's involved in the 500kHz test license now.

Then there was Al Landry who doubled my troubleshooting skills in two weeks. And then John McGlocklin who made me a microwave expert in 30 days. Al Landry also helped me learn Radar enough in 2 weeks that I could fix any Radar even if I never saw it before. Then there was Sam Smith who was 1/2 Cherokee Indian. He helped me understand phased broadcase arrays in a few hours. Dell Oiler who taught me more about 2-way radios in a week than most people know in a lifetime.

By the time I was 23, I was the best all around tech in my area. All of it from keeping mouth closed and ears open.

K7JBQ

04-15-2007, 02:19 AM

This just in: According to Al Gore, QSB is man-made.

"Before man came along," he noted, "there was no such thing as QSB."

73,
Bill

AG3Y

04-15-2007, 03:11 AM

Or QRM, either! ( as opposed to QRN ! )

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

vk6zgo

04-16-2007, 12:45 PM

Sorry guys,but this is obviously an American "in" joke,I cannot see anything wrong with someone telling another station that his signal was fading!!. Obviously the other station can't do anything about it,but it's nice to know.
I have in front of me the 2001 ARRL h/book, which quotes: QSB- "Are my signals fading?" with the affirmative code QSB--"Your signals are fading"
This code has been quoted similarly in every reference #I've seen in the last 40-odd years, so I repeat, I don't see the joke.
Perhaps I misread the first posting & the "be forewarned" was part of the report, but it doesn't read that way to me--please advise me whether I am suffering from "Oldtimer's Disease",or what?
73 VK6ZGO

WA9SVD

04-16-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote[/b] (vk6zgo @ April 16 2007,05:45)]Sorry guys,but this is obviously an American "in" joke,I cannot see anything wrong with someone telling another station that his signal was fading!!. Obviously the other station can't do anything about it,but it's nice to know.
I have in front of me the 2001 ARRL h/book, which quotes: QSB- "Are my signals fading?" with the affirmative code QSB--"Your signals are fading"
This code has been quoted similarly in every reference I've seen in the last 40-odd years, so I repeat, I don't see the joke.
Perhaps I misread the first posting & the "be forewarned" was part of the report, but it doesn't read that way to me--please advise me whether I am suffering from "Oldtimer's Disease",or what?
73 VK6ZGO
ZGO:

It's not an "American" joke. It was a "newbie" being surprised that fading exists, and reporting it as if it were a newly discovered phenomenon. (As you say, it's been in every reference in well over 40 years.)
The same with 75 Meters; a new (at least to HF) operator was surprised that there were, are, and always will be static crashes associated with electrical discharges in the atmosphere associated with certain natueally occurring weather phenomena. (AKA Thunderstorms.)
Anyone who has ever listened to AM broadcast (DO they still have that in VK Land? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) knows that lightning causes static and noise; it certainly extends into the HF region and can be heard easily on 80/75 Meters. (That's why many operators consider it a "Winter band" here in the States.)

The joke is that the newbies thought they had made a new discovery. But it's pretty much good-natured.

w5klb

04-16-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote[/b] (AC0H @ April 10 2007,16:27)]Quote[/b] (ac3p @ April 09 2007,14:43)]Quote[/b] ]2) What's that bright light in the eastern sky this AM?

Somebody's operating AM? What band? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Yes, lets expose the backward thinking Luddites for what they really are.
From Gregg's perspective, "AM" is "Another Miracle." http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

vk6zgo

04-23-2007, 01:57 PM

Hi again,

The point I was making was that the reporting of QSB on

air,particularly on CW is quite normal,so it didn't seem

screamingly funny.

Reporting of the same,or QRN, on QRZ,is a different

matter, & I suspect this is a running joke, due to such

postings by newbies,

Yes, we do have AM #B/C stations in VK, I used to work

at one (55kW clear channel ), which #shut down at

midnight. On midnight to dawn shift in the Comms

building nearby,I pointed the loopstick of the #domestic

AM set at the 600 ' radiator,& used the re-radiated

signals for MF Dx-ing-( quite a bit of QSB on signals from

the Eastern side of the country,but a lot of fun).

That said,however, I doubt if many young people ever

listen to AM radio, especially distant stations,so they

wouldn't have encountered fading

I have had QSB reported to me on a number of occasions

on air (SSB), & have always had the suspicion that in

these cases it had several other meanings,eg:

(1) "You have a weird accent ,OM & I can't understand

you".

(2) "Go away, I really want to talk to my buddy across town."

(3) "Your signal is fading"

Perhaps I'm paranoid.

73, VK6ZGO

WA9SVD

04-23-2007, 02:14 PM

ZGO:

It's mostly in fun; even the original poster has admitted it was (at least in part) "TIC" (tongue in cheek.")
It's just that many of the new operators are just discovering things we all take for granted, and in some cases, are somewhat disillisioned. Some wonder why 10 Meters isn't packed with signals day and night; after all, there are all the new operators (especially in the U.S.) that are on the air. Some are surprised that there can be fading on signals, or that propagation changes, sometimes fairly abruptly. Or that there are static crashes caused by ligntning on the lower bands. (You are correct; many of the younger generation have never listened to AM broadcast stations, so they aren't familiar with the way the lower frequencies work. Or in some cases, don't work.)
So, while some of the new operators may have been mislead as to their expectations for HF operations, most are willing to patiently learn how things really are.
And working at a club station, I get to interact with a lot of the "newbies." Most are enthusiastic, but scared to get on HF. With guidance, though, they gain confidence, and you should see their faces light up when they make their first HF contact. THAT'S what makes Elmering (and patience) pay off.

kl7aj

04-23-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ April 06 2007,06:02)]ACTUAlly a sense of humor and A THICK HIDE! are required, or you'll just fade away. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Old hams never die, they just QSB

kl7aj

04-23-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ April 12 2007,06:08)]The QSB IS mailcious, because Nature CAN be a mother... #But even more surprising is the report of the elusive "Crashes" heard on 75 Meters. #Believe it or not, there are Amateurs that have never even heard these rare phenomena, and may even doubt they exist. #(Of course, there are some hams that have never listened to 75/80 Meters between March and November...) #For most of us, though, it doesn't take a bolt of lightning to make us believers. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
We had one of the most phenomenal crashes ever, here on 75 last night! S9+35 signals all around, down to s0 Instantaneously! I've experienced these many times, but never so extreme. I thought everyone died at the mic.

Back in the late 80s there was an AM broadcast crash in Interior Alaska....first one up here to anyone's recollection.

The most reasonable explanation for these is cosmic ray bursts of enough intensity to ionize air at an altitude of just a few thousand feed. Yikes....I guess it's a good time to duck when you hear an AM crash!

eric

k0cmh

04-23-2007, 07:00 PM

ALERT:

I had some of those QSB during a QSO, so I asked a friend how I might get rid of them. Well, he told me that they accumulate on the surface of an antenna over time. That is why an aluminum antenna gets dull after awhile. He told me to shine up my antenna.

So, I took a Brillo pad to my $450.00 multiband vertica. Man does it shine now. Except for that kind of blue-green stuff where the sections join. But my friend says that is just Brillo pad soap and as it rains that soap will keep new QSBs from attaching themselves.

So far I can't tell for sure if the QSBs are gone. Since I took the Brillo pad to the antenna, I haven't heard much on the bands. Must be Spring and everyone is outside and not in the shack. Not much going on on the bands. Its a shame, since I cleaned up that antenna and all.

KE5FRF

04-23-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ April 16 2007,08:18)]Quote[/b] (vk6zgo @ April 16 2007,05:45)]Sorry guys,but this is obviously an American "in" joke,I cannot see anything wrong with someone telling another station that his signal was fading!!. Obviously the other station can't do anything about it,but it's nice to know.
I have in front of me the 2001 ARRL h/book, which quotes: QSB- "Are my signals fading?" with the affirmative code QSB--"Your signals are fading"
This code has been quoted similarly in every reference #I've seen in the last 40-odd years, so I repeat, I don't see the joke.
Perhaps I misread the first posting & the "be forewarned" was part of the report, but it doesn't read that way to me--please advise me whether I am suffering from "Oldtimer's Disease",or what?
73 VK6ZGO
ZGO:

# #It's not an "American" joke. #It was a "newbie" being surprised that fading exists, and reporting it as if it were a newly discovered phenomenon. #(As you say, it's been in every reference in well over 40 years.)
# #The same with 75 Meters; a new (at least to HF) operator was surprised that there were, are, and always will be static crashes associated with electrical discharges in the atmosphere associated with certain natueally occurring weather phenomena. #(AKA Thunderstorms.)
# #Anyone who has ever listened to AM broadcast (DO they still have that in VK Land? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) knows that lightning causes #static and noise; it certainly extends into the HF region and can be heard easily on 80/75 Meters. #(That's why many operators consider it a "Winter band" here in the States.)

# #The joke is that the newbies thought they had made a new discovery. #But it's pretty much good-natured.
Actually, no. This post WAS a joke. I started the thread. I am not surprised that fading exists. I was teasing not "Newbies", but one in particular...Greg. It was all in fun. He started the "Static crashes on 75 meters" thread and I took a slight jab at him. No harm, no foul.