Hi folks,
So, we had a swap meet a couple of weekends ago, and I found a bargain I
couldn't refuse. Of course, now I need to decide what to do with it...
The Find was a 35 element 1296mHz antenna, well built and in excellent
condition. Linearly polarized, horizontal; supposed to be 23dBi gain.
Manufacturer, of course, is unknown. No markings, but it does not look
home-built. By the mounting hardware, it looks like it was part of some sort
of stacked array.
The problem is that I already have a 1296mHz antenna. Home-made, circularly
polarized, 18 turns Helix. Should be something like 17dBic, if the
calculations are correct.
In the shack, which is at the wrong end of 60' of 1/2" hardline and a total of
about 15' of RG-213 or something like it, I have my Yaesu 736R and its 10 watts
of screaming RF power. No preamps.
Which antenna should I keep up on the rotor assembly?
Last weekend I put up the new antenna. I've made one AO-51 LU pass with the
new antenna, and I was not impressed. Several times I couldn't get into the
bird, presumably because of the crossed polarization. But when I did get in,
it was full quieting, even at low elevations. I don't recall having this much
trouble with the Helix. I think AO-51 is the only current satellite on L-band,
right?
For other uses, there's nothing terrestrial to aim at, repeaters-wise; they're
all hiding behind one or more hills, or went off the air years ago. That
leaves Weak Signal work (hence the horizontal mounting). I do have one shot
into the valley, to the North West, but probably slim pickings for contacts. I
haven't tried EME.
I'm leaning towards putting the Helix back up, and passing the new one on to
someone more able to use it. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Greg KO6TH
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