Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
Where in the Caribbean? Conditions and antenna requirements are much different depending where you go. As you go south it becomes more noisy and of course you're further from the target areas. One portable antenna that can work well is a kite. I have have tried them several times off the beach but had trouble keeping them in the air while operating. John KK9A pat n8vw wrote: Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
Etal on 160 And I can attest to his 160 sigs from Guam as I have nine Qs with Gus over his 2 year QRV on Topband. Inv L up as high as you can with a few short radials will do the trick - especially from the Caribbean (16 X 30' ground radials). And Mike is correct that an rx antenna will make the diff on hearing. Consider a "flag or pennant" small rx antenna GL 73 George W8UVZ On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 6:55:29 PM EDT, Julius Gostel via Topband wrote: My antenna at KH2/K4SXT was 126' of wire 40' vertical up a coconut tree - then the rest horizontal to another coconut tree. Two full 120' radials on the ground. No separate receive antenna. Pretty simple and it worked pretty well. Did I hear everyone, probably not, but I did work some pretty good stuff and way over 100 DXCC in less than 2 years. Same piece of wire for A92ZE. but 70' vertical and two gull wing elevated radials worked better. Used a 350' horseshoe non-terminated beverage (on top of my compound wall @ 8'). Both worked Real well. Again more than 100 DXCC in about 3 years. If you can get 126-130' of wire in the air, it will work. Have a great trip - I'll look for you, Gus K4SXT ex 9V1ZE, /KH2, KG4ZE, A92ZE, /DU3 On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 5:23:32 PM EDT, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want some kind of receiving antenna. On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: > Hi Pat, > > > > Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few > ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, > otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short > compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is > 15w, correct?). > > > > There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a > full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard. > > > > GL > > > > Mike VE9AA > > > > Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I > find > > a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. > Looking > > for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. > > > > N8vw > > > > > > Mike, Coreen & Corey > > Keswick Ridge, NB > > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
On 8/7/2019 10:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, The inverted L seems appealing because: 1. You can tune it to resonance by adjusting the wire length (no loading coil needed). 2. It typically is a good match to 50 ohms so no matching network needed. 3. The high drive impedance ~50 ohm makes it seem like there won't be much ground loss. It is easy to build and will work ... to some extent. Unfortunately, the reality is that the increased drive resistance represents useless horizontally polarized signal power. So the efficiency in terms of vertical polarized radiated power isn't all that great. You will get out better with a T top loaded vertical or a vertical with "umbrella" wires. You will have to bring along a tapped base coil to do tuning/matching. Rick N6RK _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
Pat, There is one thing that could make a "portable" antenna and QRP work on 160 meters: Salt water! If you can make the antenna stand over and grounded to the water, or right on the water's edge with the "radials" in the water, you could get out with a 20' fiberglass pole and a (good) antenna tuner. There is plenty of salt water in the Caribbean, but you must be right over it! Its is not going to be gang-busters, but... GL and 73, George, AA7JV/C6AGU On Wed, 07 Aug 2019 07:59:34 -0400 pat wrote: Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
If you can get the antenna over or near saltwater it will make a huge difference. 73,Gary K9GS Original message From: Wes Date: 8/7/19 5:09 PM (GMT-06:00) To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical He will probably hear as well as he's heard using QRP.I still use the TX inverted-L on receive and think that I have general parity between hearing and being heard running only 500W (7-10 dB below my neighbors).Wes N7WSOn 8/7/2019 2:02 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:> and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want some > kind of receiving antenna.>> On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:>> Hi Pat,>>>>>> Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few>> ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree,>> otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short>> compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is>> 15w, correct?).>>>>>> There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a>> full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard.>>>>>> GL>>>>>> Mike VE9AA>>>>>> Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I>> find>>>> a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp.>> Looking>>>> for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring.>>>>>> N8vw>>>>>>>> Mike, Coreen & Corey>>>> Keswick Ridge, NB>>>>>> _>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector>> _> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector>_Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
PaT What Mike says is only partially true about receiving antennas . Ideal yes . but not necessary...especially for a casual family vacation DXepedition and I think Mike might have missed the part where you said in DECEMBER, a quieter winter month . I worked well over 100 countries with Inverted L's and no receiving antennas for years. This year alone I have worked 21 countries and 47 states so far this SUMMER with an inverted L and no receiving antenna ( over half of those on CW for you who like to trash FT8) . If you were going to do a contest and try to be highly competitive then a receiving antenna would be a good idea to be sure ...Maybe a BOG on the beach 8^). Your biggest challenge will be being heard at all, running QRP or low power... There are a few died in the wool low power guys on here who will disagree with me but 160 is a big amp band IMO more so than any other. Dave NR1DX On 8/7/2019 5:02 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want some kind of receiving antenna. On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: Hi Pat, Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is 15w, correct?). There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard. GL Mike VE9AA Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector -- Dave manu...@artekmanuals.com www.ArtekManuals.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
He will probably hear as well as he's heard using QRP. I still use the TX inverted-L on receive and think that I have general parity between hearing and being heard running only 500W (7-10 dB below my neighbors). Wes N7WS On 8/7/2019 2:02 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want some kind of receiving antenna. On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: Hi Pat, Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is 15w, correct?). There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard. GL Mike VE9AA Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
My antenna at KH2/K4SXT was 126' of wire 40' vertical up a coconut tree - then the rest horizontal to another coconut tree. Two full 120' radials on the ground. No separate receive antenna. Pretty simple and it worked pretty well. Did I hear everyone, probably not, but I did work some pretty good stuff and way over 100 DXCC in less than 2 years. Same piece of wire for A92ZE. but 70' vertical and two gull wing elevated radials worked better. Used a 350' horseshoe non-terminated beverage (on top of my compound wall @ 8'). Both worked Real well. Again more than 100 DXCC in about 3 years. If you can get 126-130' of wire in the air, it will work. Have a great trip - I'll look for you, Gus K4SXT ex 9V1ZE, /KH2, KG4ZE, A92ZE, /DU3 On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 5:23:32 PM EDT, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want some kind of receiving antenna. On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: > Hi Pat, > > > > Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few > ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, > otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short > compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is > 15w, correct?). > > > > There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a > full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard. > > > > GL > > > > Mike VE9AA > > > > Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I > find > > a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. > Looking > > for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. > > > > N8vw > > > > > > Mike, Coreen & Corey > > Keswick Ridge, NB > > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want some kind of receiving antenna. On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: Hi Pat, Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is 15w, correct?). There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard. GL Mike VE9AA Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical
Hi Pat, Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree, otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is 15w, correct?). There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard. GL Mike VE9AA Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: 160 portable vertical
Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I find a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp. Looking for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring. N8vw _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
