Top Band (160m) Multi-Tx Experiment

Updated regularly - press F5 (refresh) to ensure you read the latest information on each page.


Overview
 If all you want is an overview then try this,  if it leaves you with questions the answers should be below.

 

Dates
 This link on the left gives dates for all types of local Top Band DFs, the GREEN ones are Multi-Tx.  

Next event - Philip Sunday 27/05/2012    Eight Ash Green on Map 168
Also Mid Thames Jubulee Multi-Tx   03/06/2012 -   Start Details

 

WHY? Reasons for starting the experiment in September 2008.

 

HOW IT ALL WORKS Use the links in this table if you are coming to one our events and need to understand the detail.
Introduction Basic principles, types of transmitter, outline of rules.
The detail Describes the scoring system using tickets and more detail about how the events work.
Joker An additon to the scoring system - more incentive to hunt on your own - also useful for training.
Schedule Table of transmitter frequencies and time slots as used on Colchester Multi-Tx events.
Sounds The sounds of the various transmitters - check out the Morse! 
Team in car Extension of rules to allow two or more competitors in one car (Single site events only).
Novice help Introducing people to DF and support for senior competitors

 

OPERATORS
A new approach is needed The role of the operator in Multi-Tx is very different from traditional DF. Objectives and points to consider when planning your event are outlined.
Novices More on event planning with particular reference to novices and senior competitors.
Envelopes Envelopes required to help Novices - mail merge files available to save work.
Key points Key points for Colchester operators.
Tx collection Collecting in all the Txs after an event.
Mini Tx User manual for the Mini TXs
Maxi A User manual for Maxi A, a purpose built Tx for this type of event.
Maxi Keyer Auto timer and keyer which may be attached to any solid state Tx to allow it to operate as a Maxi.
Micro Tx Instructions for Micro Tx
Evening Delays Delay switch settings for an evening event.
Afternoon Delays Delay switch settings for an afternoon event.

 

RECENT EVENTS
Sunday 15/04/12 Tim, Manningtree, railway, 2 rivers - excellent example of how the scoring works - don't get caught!
Sunday 11/03/12 Peter (Snowman) - Near Gosfield on Map 167 - 10 Txs
Sunday 20/11/11 Roy at Colchester Highwoods  - 10 Txs in a very public place.
Sunday 21/08/11 Colin & Rosie host the second Kent Multi-DF  - 10 Txs in beautiful countryside.
Friday 29/07/11 Ian - 9 Txs  in 1 3/4 hours - bound to be tears before bedtime!    Chalkney Wood , White Colne.
Sunday 12/06/11 Roy - 10 Txs - Gravel pit area Brightlingsea. Some had a good day, some a bad day, some a DF of a day!
Sunday 22/05/11 Tim  - 10 Txs - Excellent site with little shown on the map - had us all fooled!
Sunday 20/03/11 Peter at Halstead with all 10 Txs - his first attempt at a 'full house'.
Sunday 06/02/11 Snowman Trophy -  Philip at Wormingford with ten Txs  - Joker introduced (see GENERAL INFORMATION)
Sunday 05/12/10 The last event of 2010, start Great Bentley (12.30), signals led us to Wrabness again ... snow ??
Sunday 14/11/10 Ian  Tolleshunt Knights  -  8 stations - it was slightly damp.
Sunday 17/10/10 The Mid Essex Trophy  report    Roy  near Tiptree - Ten stations
Friday 09/07/10 Roy - Brightlingsea with Maxi, 5 Minis and 4 Micros. On site training for beginners.
Sunday 23/05/10 Philip at Wrabness with Maxi and 5 Minis, trial of the Butson Triffids and the new Maxi A.
Sunday 21/03/10 The Kent Challenge - new ticket system, more than one competitor per car.
Sunday 29/11/09 Last event of 2009, set the format for 2010. Ten Txs and the operator training instead of hiding.

 

HISTORY OF EVENTS

This style of competition is evolving, the historic reports below have different formats.
Newcomers should concentrate on reading the reports above avoid confusion.  However, the reports below may be useful to those of you who fancy trying something similar in your own area, saving you from inventing the square wheel.
In 2009 the Chelmsford and double events used the Multi-Tx format.
The Colchester evenings had one Tx as usual but Minis and Micros were put out so that people could get used to them after they had completed the main competition. This taught us much, good and bad about the use of unmanned stations.
In 2010 the Colchester events used the Multi-Tx format while Chelmsford events maintained traditional style giving us the chance to enjoy and compare both types.

19/09/08 Chelmsford First ever use of a remote Tx in by our club - birth of an idea.
03/10/08 Colchester First test of a synthesised Mini Tx, it was no problem but ...
Mid Essex 2008 A Maxi and a Mini one each of three sites, yes 6 Txs! This used punches, tickets now preferred.
Snowman 2009 Snowman DF. Two sites, run by Andrew and Richard. 6 Txs on 2 sites (Maxi, Mini and Micro on each).
Chelmsford Evening First new style Chelmsford evening event. Philip with a Maxi, Mini and a Micro on one site.
Colchester with test I used the end of a normal Colchester evening event to test out 5 Mini Txs time multiplexed on 1960 KHz. (Main Tx on 1910 KHz).
Sunday May 10th * First single site Sunday. Andrew set up a Maxi, 3 Minis and a Micro for his Chelmsford event. *
May Colchester Event Tim's Colchester event had 4 Minis added for fun only! Nettle soup anyone?
June Colchester Ian used something called a valve to get us close then  more practice with 4 Minis and a Micro - good pictures of equipment.. Some competitors had fun, others were ..................................... distracted, ..... who me?!
July Colchester Philip with Main station and two micros for fun. Navigator Graham got to use a DF set. Micros are excellent for training.
Aug Chelmsford * Tim with Maxi, 2 Minis and a Micro. I managed to win with a useless strategy but others used even worse ones. *
I may struggle next year when the others work out the rules - better change them before then!
Sept Colchester Peter with 5 Minis added for fun. The main task was just to find the one Tx. Shame really, this would have made a superb Chelmsford (Multi-tx event). Excellent site, nice tricks in Tx placement. Philip has just started to get the hang of this, and clearly I have lost my touch.
Sept Chelmsford Inspired by Peter's event Ian really goes for it with a Maxi (still with those glass thingies inside), 5 Minis and Micro in a dense wood and without even a moon to show us the way. Not only could we not find the Txs, even the cars were a problem. We have been searching for definitions of difficulty with this new sport and this event explored the limits. If you think Multi-Tx is for wimps read this, but if you can't stand grown men bleeding, whining and being deprived of alcohol then this report should be avoided.
Mid Essex 2009 The story of the Hares and the Tortoise - 10 Txs, 2 sites
Guide Guide written for Mid Essex Event, attempts to explain some of the tactical issues and probably fails.
Oct Chelmsford Larby Maxi+5 Minis
Nov Colchester Larby Maxi + 5 Minis for fun again!
Nov Chelmsford * Sunday, Roy Maxi, 5 Minis and 4 Micros - the unhidden operator and training *
Sunday 21/03/10 * The Kent Challenge - new ticket system, more than one competitor per car *
Sunday 23/05/10 * Philip at Wrabness with Maxi and 5 Minis

 

Proposals for 2010   The proposals on the left set our direction for 2010  only slight refinements being needed since.

 

THANKS

to The British Top Band DF Association for almost 30 years of commando style training.

to Bob Titterington G3ORY for introducing me to 'IARU style DF'. I just wish we had the woods for it in Essex..
Many ideas were gleaned from my experiences in 2m / 80m events in the Birmingham area.

to ON7YD for some initial circuit inspiration

to Paul Clark G0BTH for much advice and loads of work in producing a synthesised Mini Tx when I found that 1960KHz crystals are even more rare than my DF wins.

to the members of my local club for being the guinea pigs and enduring long evenings, even longer reports and severe alcohol deprivation.

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