Dear OMs,
I have as part of my antenna system a BigIR Vertical but perhaps this is
part of the problem. With stepper motors it would not be wise to put this
antenna too close to the water line. For 80M it would not be too good
because of the loading coil.
Standard verticals might have been a better bet in this application.
In Europe K5P is considered a phantom station but of course their day
and our night occur at the same times so this hurts and propagation is not
great. These are good operators and maybe like all DXpeditions some are
still learning but boy did they pay for the privilege. So my fedora is
tipped to them and I rather dislike some of the cheap criticisms of them
found on the reflectors. People who do not contribute have little
justification in making such comments. Ah but we do it for our sports
teams all the time - they get paid. These guys pay for the privilege of
their own K-rations.
VP8STI is an altogether easier reach from the EU and especially from EI
where we can put the EU to our back and NA to our side on a southerly route.
Thanks to both K5P and VP8STI.
73 Doug EI2CN
-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim
Brown
Sent: 23 January 2016 19:05
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K5P and VP8STI
Something can be learned from their websites. There have also been
posts to the NCDXC reflector from K6MM, one of three members on that
trip. Wes is correct about K5P antennas, except that they have a Battle
Creek special for 80 and 160M. Photos of the SteppIRs suggest an
inadequate radial system, which would account for weak signals. Yes,
there's water nearby, but that only helps first reflections. They're in
my log for one Q on all bands except 6M, and at least 1 Q for CW, SSB,
and RTTY. And I worked them QRP on 20 SSB and 160 CW. Trying to stay out
of the way for stations needing them more than me, I stop once I get
there. I believe that one reason for their antenna choices is that they
were VERY limited by what they could fit onto an aircraft that could
land on the island. Not only that, but at the last minute, three guys
had to stay at the airport because they had to use an even smaller
aircraft.
VP8STI is mostly Force 12 C3s for 20/15/10, similar Force 12 for 17/12.
2-tower phased vertical array for 80 and 160. Don't remember what for 30
and 40. Study the "plans" page on their website for detailed drawings.
They're in my log on 15,17, 20, 30, 40, and 80, and one QSO each mode.
Haven't heard them on 10, 12, or 160. I'm still trying for a QRP QSO.
73, Jim K9YC
On Sat,1/23/2016 7:45 AM, Wes (N7WS) wrote:
> As a fellow Tucsonan here are my observations.
>
> I believe that the K5P guys are using tunable dummy
> load....sorry...SteppIR verticals on all bands except 160. (If I'm
> wrong about this, I'm sure I will be corrected.) I too believe that
> their signals have generally been underwhelming for the path.
> Nevertheless, I have worked them on 18 slots, including all bands
> (except for 60 meters) on CW. My antennas are modest (see QRZ) and
> often non-resonant. For 160 thru 30, an inverted vee, apex at 45',
> ends at 6' on 160, which as everyone "knows" can't possibly work DX.
> I use a K3S, KPA500 and KAT500.
>
> VP8 is another story. I've worked them on 20 CW, 20 SSB, 15 SSB,
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