DX the horizontal way - What's the difference ?

 Now that it will be slowly fall with dropping temperatures portable-DX would not be recommend anymore unless you are sitting in a camper equipped with a heater but indeed being home at the Transceiver could be also an event. Therefore I have build such an easy antenna which also could be interesting to bring it up for the next field day or something like that.

A Delta-Loop-Antenna like that one I've built is an inverted triangle which could be very easy to be installed if you have a portable mast build of fiber. I used to do it with a copper wire of  2.5mm diameter and 11.1m length which will bring the antenna about in range of 27.2 up to 28 MHz. 

Usually a Delta-Loop will have a high impedance of about 100 to 200 Ohms depending on the length of each side of the triangle. The more those three sides having an equal size the higher will be the impedance. But don't worry about 200 Ohms. You can bring it down on the wanted 50 Ohms easily by using an about 1.80m. long koax of 75 Ohms like those TV cables which has to be connected between the antenna and the 50 ohm antenna cable. You could use two simple lamp terminals for fix it between the antenna and the 50 ohm koax just with a little screw driver.

In my case I have already two masts on my balcony and unfortunately there is no more room to build up wider antennas like i.e. a dipole antenna which for the 11 meter band will be at least 5,5m wide so the only chance I have is to do it vertical, that's what I thought until now.

3 Antenna Masts on balcony - Delta Loop in the middle

The electric length of a Delta-Loop-Antenna works for fact equal compared to a Dipole-antenna so your signal being received by someone will be about the same as from a dipole. One more point for the delta-loop is that while a dipole will be installed without the possibility to turn it easy in the right position you can do it easily with a Delta-Loop because of its smaller size. The second good point which speaks for a delta-loop is that you only need one mast while a dipole has two points on which you bring em up in the air. Like every antenna also a delta loop works best if it is installed at least one wave length above the ground which in my case is 11m for the CB-band.

Above the roof (from left to right):
11m. vertical, 11m. Delta Loop, 2 Antennas VHF/UHF

I simply took a PVC-plastic-pipe of 3.20m length and drilled a hole in the middle of it so the top element of my 14 meter long fiber mast from the German specialists Spiderbeam could get through that hole. Then I also got a piece of rope fixing it on top of the mast and to both sides of the pipe to hold the ends of the pipe in an upright position. Then I put the antenna-wire through the PVC-pipe and bend to rest of wire at each side down until it reached back to the mast in equal length. Now, because of my other Antenna's on the balcony which gave me less space to put a wider antenna between it, I measured only 3.20 meters of pipe so I was able to turn that antenna between those other antenna's and, additional to this size the delta-loop has been automatically matched to have 50 ohms impedance so I didn't need the piece of TV-cable to be installed and the SWR shows 1,1:1 at 27.5 MHz.

Delta Loop Antenna: The Drawing

As the band was wide open on that sunny day in October 2024 there were lots of stations to hear. So I called CQ and made contacts all over the world. Sometimes I found out to turn the antenna will be more effective for some stations which were not in the right direction before. In the afternoon there was a spot open to Melbourne, Australia coming in with S7 and I was been heard by S3. Same experience I made with Iceland. My reading was S7 and I was been heard by S3. The States of Maine, Kentucky, Tennessee, and also Nebraska in the US were showing the same effect. They all have been about 4 steps stronger on my S-meter as they could hear me but at last it was good enough to make the connection. The horizontal polarization works really great because of its flat radiation angle which will be reflected somewhere in the Ionosphere or other magnetic charged air layers while on the other hand stations under ground wave conditions I still work better with a vertical because they do the same polarization.

All in total I can say that a smaller antenna won't be the super power thing. That's for sure.  But it will be useful if you're having less space to build bigger antennas. The more space you have available the bigger antennas you can build up in the air and the stronger your signal will be received at the other side of the planet. The more elements you will add to one of those delta-loops the more gain it will have. The horizontal polarization will made up a plus of possibilities by intercontinental DX connections and you can turn it into the right direction to get rid of QRM what comes from other sides. A delta-loop like mine with only one element works equal in both directions as in front and back so if you turning it north you will also work south the same quality. Probably there will be something happen to the regular ways of the radiating HF between antennas set up so close beside each other like mine. Happily I couldn't find any interference but who knows how the aluminum masts having influence on the HF coming out of the delta-loop. I was actually very impressed how this antenna is still working. According to many antenna books there won't be the best antenna for everything, such for any frequency or even for every situation, but all I could say after testing this one is that the Delta-Loop is one of a kind !

Yours Alex, 13CT30.

Mountain DXpedition and the lightning (static) strikes

 It was June the 29th while I joined a nation wide DX event at CB-Radio from a mountain located in the Teutoburg Forest south of Osnabruck (JO42AE). The tower I went on is called Hermannsturm.

While in a pile-up under ground wave conditions I made contact down to Bavaria and other regions in Germany as well as to the Netherlands.

In the meantime severe thunderstorms aproached close to the tower so couldn't make it far this night. I've heard loud noise from my radio speaker discovering it was static in the air coming down through the antenna. 

So I shortly removed the PL-plug from my radio, took a video of what happend, and fast left the tower afterwards to avoid being hit by the appearing lightning.

Warning: Never enter a tower during severe thunderstorm weather conditions !

Yours 13 CT 30, Alex

Official DX-CharlyTango.de On Zello

Zello Channel: DX-CharlyTango.de

The Official Charly Tango International DX-Group has its own channel using the Zello app.

You can find us by typing the following channel name.

DX-CharlyTango.de

You can also download the free Zello app for your cell phone at Play Store.

73s, Alex 13 CT 30

Back tracking your own HF-signal - The use of SDR technique

Online SDR from Pardinho, Brazil

 Did you ever wonder how to make sure that your signal can be heard in different countries while trying to have a DX-contact with them ?

First of all someone might tell you about it but just in case you don't receive an answer of your CQ a SDR website could be used for receiving your own signal while transmitting which provides you the information about if your signal could be received and it also indicates how strong your signal might be in the area where the SDR is located. A Web SDR stands for a Software-defined Radio Receiver which can be tuned via Internet which gives you the abillity of using a remote controlled receiver far away from your QTH without any human responding to your call.

For connections with South America I like to use the SDR receiver from Pardinho in Brazil which is located about 200 kilometers west from the City of Sāo Paolo. It might be also interesting listening to the range of other stations being received in Pardinho you probably can't hear on your own radio but on the SDR. Sometimes those stations are still able to receive your signal i.e. from North America to which I made a QSO to Florida while listening to that station and my own signal at the Pardinho SDR.

Pardinho Web SDR, Brazil

Just give it a try and set your working frequency at the SDR. Sometimes it doesn't need much PWR to hear yourself back. Beside lot's of Brazilian stations there is a big receiving range from foreign signals available depending on propagation. If you are an Amateur Radio licence holder you might choose a quite frequency for testing your receiving signal to this device in Brazil while CB radio operators have to expect way more QRM most of the time. 

The Pardinho Web SDR belongs to the Ham radio OP William, PY2GN, and its antennas seem to be quite impressive not only from the pictures view but also from the receiving range of his Web SDR compared to others. At last this is why I personally like to use the Pardinho SDR much more than different SDR providers in that area.

Martin, LU9EFO, wrote a special report on Willams Web SDR in Pardinho, Brazil.

For other Web SDR pages I recommend the map of Kiwi-Web-SDR on which you will find the best SDR station for your needs worldwide.

73's and good DX, yours Alex, 13CT30

13CT1 keeps Charly Tango alive - Stickers for CT members now available

 Now that time has passed since the esteemed founder of the Charly Tango Club Eberhard Albrecht died in 2000, his successor Wolfgang has finally adopted his call sign and has risen to number one in the call sign list in honorable continuation to the previous founder of the Charly Tango International DX-Group.

Admin of Charly Tango Wolfgang M.

His old call sign 13CT1203 is now free and can be reassigned.

With the admin's call sign change the Charly Tango International DX-Group now offers its members stickers with their call signs on it.

Sticker at Wolfgang's car

They are available in black or white, dimensions 25cm diameter for 5 EUR per piece or 12.5cm diameter for 2.50 EUR per piece. Plus 2 EUR shipping.

If you would like to have one or more, please do not hesitate to contact Wolfgang via email and place your order with him. He will forward it to the CT member who makes the stickers.

Charly Tango Call Sign - Why & How to apply

 One of the most questions which keeps coming up is about Charly Tango call signs.

People have been a bit confused listening to the air bands hearing Charly Tango stations and then have asked what these call signs are about. Most certain questions were "Do I need to get a Charly Tango call sign or do I need one anyways, do I have to pay for it, and if I want one where do I get one from ?"

First thing to let you know about that is as simple as if you're not an amateur radio call sign holder using ham radio frequency's you don't need a call sign to do the hobby such as CB-Radio !

These things of the past doesn't apply anymore today because there isn't any requirement anymore.

Now if you want to come back on radio you are free to name yourself like ever you want for example your first name is Peter from London you will be Peter from London which would be just fine. If you're Michel from Berlin then that's not at problem too or even Natasha from Moscow would be absolutely fine. Jason from Washington, DC or even Valtyr from Iceland, that's great.

You know, the thing is how to make yourself better recognizing by having a long distance chat on the radio which is called DX. This is the main point of why to use call signs on the radio. 

So let's think you are having a chat with me at the 11 metre CB band. My call sign is 13 Charly Tango 30 and my name is Alex. I know a couple of guys who are named Alex too so the chance could be very high to catch another guy with the same name which could lead into confusion on the radio but it shouldn't happen if you are using a call sign which, such from Charly Tango usually is unique. Next point is that those call signs, where ever you apply for has a country code in front of it which is kind of equal like telephone numbers. Mine has got a 13 which stands for Germany so my locations country will be regognized just by telling my call sign. Now you are in example Carl from London, Ontario, Canada hearing me calling "CQ DX this is 13CT30" you suddenly know that I'm from Germany while on the other hand you might reply "Here is Carl from London" I probably think you're from the United Kingdom but not thinking about there is another London far away which would make this contact definitely worth it. To avoid those mistakes a call sign like those from Charly Tango definitely can help. We might also exchange QSL-cards but how should it be done properly without a call sign ?

You are free to do whatever you want. You want a DX-call sign, go ahead and get one but make sure you gonna chose the right one which matches for your needs. I guess there are still clubs out there who aren't free of charge which leads us to the next question:

"If I want a Charly Tango call sign do I have to pay for it ?" No, absolutely not !

If you decide to join the Charly Tango International DX-Group you will get a lifetime call sign with your membership for free. Since the old Borderland DX-Group is not registrated as an official association anymore there are no obligations to todays members of Charly Tango anymore.

With other words: A Charly Tango call sign is free for your lifetime.

If you want one then simply give our admin in Charly Tango a shout on his phone number +4916098486171 , use the register form by clicking the link at the Charly Tango homepage, or write an email to the webmaster.

Just make sure to apply with www.DX-CharlyTango.de which is the original Charly Tango DX-Group as I often state to watch for the letter "Y" in the name Charly but NOT "IE" ! You know it's just like fake news one different letter could let you fall into the trap of a fake group or just like in this case a stolen idea because you can't see any differences on the call signs.

It's also useful to have a call sign list available to look up call signs during or even after a chat on radio with a station who is registered with a DX-club like Charly Tango. That's pretty easy to look up just for the basic info about name and location as well as an activity status just in case you have missed this information during a QSO while the propergation got down or QRM level led you not to understand the station you have had a chat with.

There are many good points for having a call sign but like I've already mentioned it isn't required so it's your choice. For myself I've decided to use my CT call sign for DX while for local calls I'm using another one. Just like I said there are many ways of use but when it comes to if's and but's I myself prefer to have a call sign instead of not being heard with low signals in kinda noise jungles sometimes.

73's and good DX yours 13CT30, Alex

History about CB-Radio in Germany

In 1974, the CEPT Lisbon passed a recommendation for CB-Radio in the 27 MHz range.

German CB-Radio-Station in 1976

In Germany, the CEPT recommendation was implemented by the Deutsche Bundespost (DBP) on July 1, 1975 through Official Gazette Order 393/1975, thereby introducing CB-Radio. Operation was permitted on 12 frequencies (channels 4 to 15) with a maximum transmission power of 0.5 watts PEP or 0.1 watts ERP (for handheld radios). 

German made handheld CB-Radios in the 70's

So-called mobile radio systems (mobile and hand-held radios) were free of registration and fees, thanks to a general permit.

CB-Radios at a German dealer with prices in Deutsch Mark.

However, fixed radio systems (home bases) had to be registered with the DBP; the monthly approval fee was DM 15. Home stations were assigned a nickname, which could usually be chosen freely. Radio communication between home stations was prohibited. Initially, the only type of modulation used was amplitude modulation (AM), but from 1978 frequency modulation (FM) also were increasingly used.

In 1981, the new Federal Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (BMPT) published decree 434/1981 in the Official Gazette 62/1981. This released radio channels 1 to 22 for operation with 0.5 watts in FM like it was allowed in the Netherlands. The fee for home stations was reduced to DM 10 and a so-called pilot tone barrier was to be introduced, with which the radio communication between home stations was to be blocked (but it was largely ignored by the industry). The old 12-channel AM devices were to be slowly withdrawn from circulation with a registration deadline of December 31, 1982. From January 1st, 1992, AM modulation was to be finally banned.

The BMPT had made its calculations without the CB-Radio-Operators and the CB-Industry.

CB radio operators wanted to keep AM and the industry complained that the new 22-channel devices could not be saled. On March 1st, 1983, a conversation took place between representatives of the authorities, CB radio operators, and the industry which resulted in the following compromise, which was published in Official Gazette 55/1983 dated April 12, 1983:

The registration ban for 12-channel home stations has been lifted. In addition, 40 channels of FM were released. This led to the strange German 40/12 channel regulation. For the first time, the obligation to pay fees was determined not only according to the type of device (handheld device, mobile or home station), but also according to the type of modulation:

Devices with 40 ch FM and 12 AM channels - whether mobile or home bases - cost a permit fee of 10 DM per month. 40-channel FM home base transceivers cost 5 DM, 40-channel FM mobile devices were free of registration and fees according to the CEPT regulationas, and old 12-channel devices became grandfathered.

A little later, in 1984, there was another change:

With Official Gazette Order 768/1984 dated September 18, 1984, the BMPT determined that all FM devices would in future be registration and fee-free. 40/12-channel mobile and home stations as well as certain handheld radios cost 5 DM/month. For this 5 DM monthly fee, up to five devices could be operated. This regulation lasted until the new Telecommunications Act came into force in mid-1996.

As before, all approvals relating to AM devices were limited to December 31, 1991. According to the wishes of the BMPT, AM operation should no longer be permitted from January 1, 1992 (see above). It was not until the end of 1988 that the BMPT moved away from this position and released AM again indefinitely.

CB-Radio in Germany has now been upgraded again.

The RegTP allowed the use of any type of antenna (up to now only vertical antennas without gain were permitted), for example dipoles or gain-generating directional antennas. In addition, 40 additional frequencies below the previous 40 channels were released for use, albeit with a certain and much-criticized restriction: A so-called protection zone to neighboring countries, which is 45 km for fixed stations and 25 km to neighboring countries for mobile and portable stations. The use of channels 41 to 80 is not permitted within this protection zone. This means that a large part of CB-Radio-Users still only has 40 channels available.

With Decree 289/1997, amended by Decree 50/1998, the RegTP now also released digital operating modes in CB radio. Packet radio is mainly used in Germany. But other digital operating modes such as SSTV or Morse telegraphy have also become possible. Decree 288/1997 was intended to introduce a call sign requirement in digital CB radio, which obliged every radio operator to use a call sign assigned by the RegTP for digital operating modes. However, this regulation met with fierce resistance among radio operators and associations, so it was withdrawn with Order 49/1998. The digital CB radio operator now has access to call signs from a series assigned by the ITU, but these do not have to be used.

Since May 29, 2002, the modulation type SSB has been permitted on channels 4 - 15 with a maximum of 4 watts of transmission power for a limited period until March 31, 2004 (Approval 268/2002). The individual allocation applies to frequency use by devices that comply with the European standard ETSI EN 300433 are provided with a CE marking based on a declaration of conformity.

The RegTP published new regulations for CB radio on September 10, 2003:

General allocation (Vfg 41/2003) in the Official Gazette No.18

The most important innovations:

The time limit until March 31, 2004 for SSB (approval 268/2002 - see above) has been lifted.

Furthermore 80 FM channels (4 watts), 12 channels SSB (4 watts) and 12 channels AM (1 watt)

CB-Radios no longer need to be registered with RegTP.

CB radio operators no longer have to pay for frequency usage or EMV fees retroactively from January 1, 2003.

Devices that comply with the R&TTE directive and bear a CE mark, or have a German approval mark, or have been approved in another European country are permitted for operation.

Fixed radio systems with an effective radiation power of 10 watts or more EIRP will continue to require a location certificate from RegTP in the future.

The CB channels 6, 7 were also released for data radio (previously: 24, 25, 52, 53, 76, 77). Data radio may only be operated in the operating modes F1D, F2D and G2D (frequency and phase modulation, FSK or AFSK).

There is no call sign requirement anymore. If call signs are used, RegTP recommends contacting the DAKfCBNF to (quote) "prevent misuse of international call signs".

The ban on using channels 41-80 in the protection zones (near the border) only applies to fixed CB radio stations (bases). CB handheld radios and CB mobile stations are no longer affected. CB base stations within these protection zones can still apply to the RegTP for a paid frequency allocation for the use of channels 41-80.

The new general approval is limited until December 31, 2013

Detailed information is available from the Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railways (formerly RegTP) at: www.bundesnetzagentur.de.

This text also is available in German language at the DX-Charly Tango hompage.