From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of ajparent1/KB1GMX <kb1gmx@...>
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2018 5:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] A friendly suggestion for Farhan.

Jerry,

The more you stock and hold for sale the more costs. Holding material aka stock is sunk
money and the cost?is sufficient to mount up fast.? Better to build one or a few things and
do it efficiently.

I have the Slopbucket 20 and its both interesting and a very good compact 20M SSB/CW.
ITs not a bitx artecture its moe Epiphyte in origins or like the 6M design I published in
QQ 12 years ago.? My SB20 does about 7Wat 13.8 and more off a 4S2P lipo pack
(nominal 14.8), not bad for one IRF510.? SMT to 0603?doesn't make me flinch the
smaller 0402 is a pain.

FYI the antennas here include:
? 75M dipole at 12ft for NVIS?
? 160M inverted V? (hint the property is 150x150ft so space is an issue)
? LNR EF-quad (40/20/15/10) up 30ft
? PAR EF40/20/10? 90 degrees to that and about 33ft up.
? Inverted L bottom fed with remote match box (relays and such)
? Grasswire? 130ft OCF at about 6 inches, read K3MTs Grasswire Story.
? ? ? ?Its a broad band low angle antenna, I use it for low band DX.
? Tower 1 30ft with VHF/UHF tree (see QRZ).
? Tower 2 35ft is the center of the 160M dipole (low inverted V)

The list of antennas tried and later replaced is way longer.

My last task for the antenna engineering firm was loop antennas for transmitting.? They
are compact and?narrow band so constant tuning is required.? For the lower bands
160-40 unless huge they are chronically inefficient.? They work as well as a loaded
8ft mobile whip but are self contained not requiring radials.? Its a small compromise
antenna that has utility.? The hidden utility is they are directional and that can
really help null out noise sources.? Ferrite loaded loops are very good for
receiving if you don't mind tuning them Amidon sells 1" by 1foot rods for that stuff.

Name an antenna I've likely tried it or have one built for prior use or field day.
I agree ideal is a 120ft tower.... ain't going to happen here.? But I firmly believe
if you don't put something up/out/on the ground your not trying.? Why because
everything works better than nothing.

Allison