Re: vertical antenna with radials
| I think you will be quite pleased with your vertical Rhona. Of all the portable verticals I have built and used, the most effective is my 20 foot telescoping one. On twenty meters, the bottom is over 3 feet off the ground and 3 or 4 radials sloping to the ground complete the package. I use a wood dowel?attached to a?metal spike?driven into the ground that fits into the bottom of the antenna and holds it up without need for other support.
As Eric mentioned, 1 radial will work, especially if pointing in the direction of the station you are contacting. I have experimented with that setup many times when cycle touring. Recent studies show that 1 will work just as well as 4, if the radial is pointed correctly.?
Dave Crocker gave me some articles from QEX describing vertical testing. Raised radials
are superior to ground ones and the performance difference begins when the radials are less than a foot above the dirt.?
For the cleanest and best example of a fiberglass pole antenna, see the one that Nick built!
Have fun,
Tim
|
--- On Fri, 1/15/10, Rhona Mahony wrote:
From: Rhona Mahony
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
To: QRPops@...
Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 5:31 PM
?
I will be experimenting with it as a portable, even backpackable, antenna.
The Shakespeare 20-foot fiberglass fishing pole arrived today. It is light. Each segment slides inside the bigger segment below it. I hope to sneak off somewhere to try setting up the whole shebang this weekend.
If the antenna tuner is in between the antenna and the FT-817, will it compensate for the antenna not presenting 50 ohms of impedance?
I looked up the book, ON4UN's Low Band DXing. A bit torrent is available. I'll download that and look at it before deciding whether to buy it.
Thanks for all these tips,
~~Rhona
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@stanford. edu
----- Original Message -----
From: eric norris <gliderboy1955@ yahoo.com>
To: QRPops@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:12:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
Dear Rhona:
It wasn't clear from your post if you were going to run your "Shakespeare" as a portable antenna or a quick-and-dirty home setup.? If you are running it portable, 2 radials will work.? In fact, when I run?ultralight portable from my bicycle, I use my KX1, a 28' wire thrown as high into a tree as I can get it, and ONE 16' radial.? This works for 40, 30 and 20,?and the KX1's internal tuna :-) will match it to around 2:1 or better.? Sometimes 2.5:1.? It depends on how far my messed up shoulder allows me to throw it up into the tree.?
I make contacts regularly with this rig, running only 2 watts from the KX1's internal battery pack.
I use a stainless steel nut (orchard supply) at the end so if it gets tangled and I have to yank it down and break the wire I'm not leaving lead behind.? So far I've managed to get them all down, but some were touch-and-go.??You can also get stainless steel sinkers from some tackle places online, but I have not seen them at a local store yet.? I haven't looked?much as I don't fish.
I always have used verticals portable, at least until recently when Hiroki infected me with Mag Loop Fever.? In my experience, anything will work, but of course some things work better than others.? A?piece of wire?seems to work better than a Buddistick and takes up a lot less room when you're packin'.?
Have fun!? Let us know how it works!
73,? Eric WD6DBM?
____________ _________ _________ __
From: Nick Garner <nwgarner@gmail. com>
To: QRPops <QRPops@yahoogroups. com>
Sent: Fri, January 15, 2010 2:32:16 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
?
Rhonda,
I had no idea they had a 20' pole, now I have one on order too.? I have a 14' pole from Cabela's that I've been using.? I was always kind of annoyed that it's just under 1/4 wavelength on 20 meters.? This pole 20' looks perfect because you can get some elevation on the radials.?
As to your question, I always run the radials at an angle down to the ground, this is only because I don't want to figure out a way to make them horizontal/perpendi cular to the base of the vertical.? On my 31' pole, that means I'd need 15' poles just to hold the end of the radials up.? Running them at an angle also gives you the benefit of being able to use the radials as guys to hold the mast up.? I usually solder fishing swivels on the end of each radial and then when it's installed I run a piece of string from the swivel to a nail I stomp in the ground.
Nick
On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:37 PM, Eric wrote:
?
>Oh you'll get lots of opinioms on this and none will match. ?:-)?
>
>
>If you cant get the radials up 1/4 wave then put them on the ground. Velocity factor for ground radials is around 50% and length is not critical. Length is important for elevated radials. ?More radials are better for ground radials but 4 will work. I went from 6 to 66 radials on my vertical last summer to good effect. ?The feed impedance of a 1/4 wave vertical is not 50 ohms, so you'll have to compensate.
>
>
>I strongly recommend you read ON4UN's Low Band DXing, chapter 7 I think is on verticals and is the most exhaustive discussion I know of. ?There is lots of bad information on verticals out there, some of it from people who mfg them. Imho.?
>
>
>Bottom line though is use it and have fun!
>
>
>73
>
>
>Eric WD6DBM ?
>
>Sent from my iPhone
>
>On Jan 15, 2010, at 11:38 AM, Rhona Mahony wrote:
>
>
>?
>>I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
>> B000FFQOSW/ ref=ox_ya_ oh_product
>>I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long, hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
>>Thanks for your practical tips!
>>~~Rhona, K6RHO
>>
>>--
>>Rhona Mahony
>>rmahony@stanford. edu
>>
|
| Sorry to hear about the accident Dave. Hope you heal quickly!
Tim
|
--- On Fri, 1/15/10, w6dlf wrote:
From: w6dlf
Subject: [QRPops] Death Valley trip
To: QRPops@...
Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 11:25 PM
?
Hi all,
Just back from a week in Death Valley with Dave Crocker and a ham from B.C. (VE7EIS) plus five artists who have been doing this event for many years. I will post pictures in a few days on Picasa. On the last day I broke my ankle! Maybe camping trips with qrp can be hazardous to our health--appendiciti s, broken bones, hi hi.
I have been a volunteer at Henry Coe Park for the last 10 years. We have a number of hams who are volunteers. I was going to get a group together for Field Day but the cost and red tape was excessive. With the current state park fiasco still going on I would not try this again. However, we do have Back Country Weekend in April when the public can come into the park via the Pacheco Pass road entrance. It's wonderful way to get into the interior of the park including the 25,000 acres of wilderness. I'll keep the group up to date as entrance to the event is by public lottery.
And now to elevate my foot...
Dave
W6DLF
|
Re: vertical antenna with radials
I got the LDG Z817 Autotuner, at HRO in Sunnyvale when I bought the FT-817.
Dave, so sorry about your ankle! My 17 year-old daughter broke her ankle in May of 2009. It was a bad break: tibia, fibula, torn cartilage, popped ligament. She got a steel plate, two pins, and seven screws. The good news: she is now fully recovered, jogging and diving off the springboard. Her method: she really did all the physical therapy faithfully. I wish you a good recovery!
~~Rhona
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: eric norris <gliderboy1955@...>
To: QRPops@...
Sent: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:57:28 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
Dear Rhona:
What tuner are you using?? ....
|
| Dave et al,
Bummer. What's your prognosis? ?Looks like our Club needs its own ambulance service. ?How much hamming did you guys do in the desert while you were not breaking anyting?
Nick, how are you doing?
Hiroki AH6CY
|
--- On Fri, 1/15/10, w6dlf wrote:
From: w6dlf
Subject: [QRPops] Death Valley trip
To: QRPops@...
Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 11:25 PM
?
Hi all,
Just back from a week in Death Valley with Dave Crocker and a ham from B.C. (VE7EIS) plus five artists who have been doing this event for many years. I will post pictures in a few days on Picasa. On the last day I broke my ankle! Maybe camping trips with qrp can be hazardous to our health--appendiciti s, broken bones, hi hi.
I have been a volunteer at Henry Coe Park for the last 10 years. We have a number of hams who are volunteers. I was going to get a group together for Field Day but the cost and red tape was excessive. With the current state park fiasco still going on I would not try this again. However, we do have Back Country Weekend in April when the public can come into the park via the Pacheco Pass road entrance. It's wonderful way to get into the interior of the park including the 25,000 acres of wilderness. I'll keep the group up to date as entrance to the event is by public lottery.
And now to elevate my foot...
Dave
W6DLF
|
Hi all,
Just back from a week in Death Valley with Dave Crocker and a ham from B.C. (VE7EIS) plus five artists who have been doing this event for many years. I will post pictures in a few days on Picasa. On the last day I broke my ankle! Maybe camping trips with qrp can be hazardous to our health--appendicitis, broken bones, hi hi.
I have been a volunteer at Henry Coe Park for the last 10 years. We have a number of hams who are volunteers. I was going to get a group together for Field Day but the cost and red tape was excessive. With the current state park fiasco still going on I would not try this again. However, we do have Back Country Weekend in April when the public can come into the park via the Pacheco Pass road entrance. It's wonderful way to get into the interior of the park including the 25,000 acres of wilderness. I'll keep the group up to date as entrance to the event is by public lottery.
And now to elevate my foot...
Dave
W6DLF
|
The FYBO 2010 Announcement has been posted, it's 6AM-4PM February 6th.
Nick
|
Re: vertical antenna with radials
Dear Rhona:
?
What tuner are you using?? Any good tuner should work fine with that setup.? Just remember low SWR is grossly overrated.? If it is below 2.5:1 you're OK, if it is 2:1 you're golden, anything below that is gravy.? The early 817s had problems blowing finals into high SWR, but the recent ones (ND model) are a lot better.? I have of course run mine into an?infininte SWR?(I seem destined to do this with every piece of ham equipment I?own) and nothing blew.
?
I'd suggest tweaking it at home for best SWR without the tuner (use low power!) then go wild out in the wild.
?
73,
?
Eric WD6DBM????
From: Rhona Mahony
To: QRPops@...
Sent: Fri, January 15, 2010 5:31:04 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
?
I will be experimenting with it as a portable, even backpackable, antenna.
The Shakespeare 20-foot fiberglass fishing pole arrived today. It is light. Each segment slides inside the bigger segment below it. I hope to sneak off somewhere to try setting up the whole shebang this weekend.
If the antenna tuner is in between the antenna and the FT-817, will it compensate for the antenna not presenting 50 ohms of impedance?
I looked up the book, ON4UN's Low Band DXing. A bit torrent is available. I'll download that and look at it before deciding whether to buy it.
Thanks for all these tips,
~~Rhona
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@stanford. edu
----- Original Message -----
From: eric norris <gliderboy1955@ yahoo.com>
To: QRPops@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:12:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
Dear Rhona:
It wasn't clear from your post if you were going to run your "Shakespeare" as a portable antenna or a quick-and-dirty home setup.? If you are running it portable, 2 radials will work.? In fact, when I run?ultralight portable from my bicycle, I use my KX1, a 28' wire thrown as high into a tree as I can get it, and ONE 16' radial.? This works for 40, 30 and 20,?and the KX1's internal tuna :-) will match it to around 2:1 or better.? Sometimes 2.5:1.? It depends on how far my messed up shoulder allows me to throw it up into the tree.?
I make contacts regularly with
this rig, running only 2 watts from the KX1's internal battery pack.
I use a stainless steel nut (orchard supply) at the end so if it gets tangled and I have to yank it down and break the wire I'm not leaving lead behind.? So far I've managed to get them all down, but some were touch-and-go.??You can also get stainless steel sinkers from some tackle places online, but I have not seen them at a local store yet.? I haven't looked?much as I don't fish.
I always have used verticals portable, at least until recently when Hiroki infected me with Mag Loop Fever.? In my experience, anything will work, but of course some things work better than others.? A?piece of wire?seems to work better than a Buddistick and takes up a lot less room when you're packin'.?
Have fun!? Let us know how it works!
73,? Eric WD6DBM?
____________ _________ _________ __
From: Nick
Garner <nwgarner@gmail. com>
To: QRPops <QRPops@yahoogroups. com>
Sent: Fri, January 15, 2010 2:32:16 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
?
Rhonda,
I had no idea they had a 20' pole, now I have one on order too.? I have a 14' pole from Cabela's that I've been using.? I was always kind of annoyed that it's just under 1/4 wavelength on 20 meters.? This pole 20' looks perfect because you can get some elevation on the radials.?
As to your question, I always run the radials at an angle down to the ground, this is only because I don't want to figure out a way to make them horizontal/perpendi cular to the base of the vertical.? On my 31' pole, that
means I'd need 15' poles just to hold the end of the radials up.? Running them at an angle also gives you the benefit of being able to use the radials as guys to hold the mast up.? I usually solder fishing swivels on the end of each radial and then when it's installed I run a piece of string from the swivel to a nail I stomp in the ground.
Nick
On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:37 PM, Eric yahoo.com> wrote:
?
>Oh you'll get lots of opinioms on this and none will match. ?:-)?
>
>
>If you cant get the radials up 1/4 wave then put them on the ground. Velocity factor for ground radials is around 50% and length is not critical. Length is important for elevated radials. ?More radials are better for ground radials but 4 will work. I went from 6 to 66 radials on my vertical last summer to good effect. ?The feed impedance
of a 1/4 wave vertical is not 50 ohms, so you'll have to compensate.
>
>
>I strongly recommend you read ON4UN's Low Band DXing, chapter 7 I think is on verticals and is the most exhaustive discussion I know of. ?There is lots of bad information on verticals out there, some of it from people who mfg them. Imho.?
>
>
>Bottom line though is use it and have fun!
>
>
>73
>
>
>Eric WD6DBM ?
>
>Sent from my iPhone
>
>On Jan 15, 2010, at 11:38 AM, Rhona Mahony wrote:
>
>
>?
>>I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
>> B000FFQOSW/ ref=ox_ya_ oh_product
>>I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long,
hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
>>Thanks for your practical tips!
>>~~Rhona, K6RHO
>>
>>--
>>Rhona Mahony
>>rmahony@stanford. edu
>>
|
Re: vertical antenna with radials
I will be experimenting with it as a portable, even backpackable, antenna.
The Shakespeare 20-foot fiberglass fishing pole arrived today. It is light. Each segment slides inside the bigger segment below it. I hope to sneak off somewhere to try setting up the whole shebang this weekend.
If the antenna tuner is in between the antenna and the FT-817, will it compensate for the antenna not presenting 50 ohms of impedance?
I looked up the book, ON4UN's Low Band DXing. A bit torrent is available. I'll download that and look at it before deciding whether to buy it.
Thanks for all these tips,
~~Rhona
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message ----- From: eric norris <gliderboy1955@...> To: QRPops@... Sent: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:12:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials Dear Rhona: It wasn't clear from your post if you were going to run your "Shakespeare" as a portable antenna or a quick-and-dirty home setup.? If you are running it portable, 2 radials will work.? In fact, when I run?ultralight portable from my bicycle, I use my KX1, a 28' wire thrown as high into a tree as I can get it, and ONE 16' radial.? This works for 40, 30 and 20,?and the KX1's internal tuna :-) will match it to around 2:1 or better.? Sometimes 2.5:1.? It depends on how far my messed up shoulder allows me to throw it up into the tree.? I make contacts regularly with this rig, running only 2 watts from the KX1's internal battery pack. I use a stainless steel nut (orchard supply) at the end so if it gets tangled and I have to yank it down and break the wire I'm not leaving lead behind.? So far I've managed to get them all down, but some were touch-and-go.??You can also get stainless steel sinkers from some tackle places online, but I have not seen them at a local store yet.? I haven't looked?much as I don't fish. I always have used verticals portable, at least until recently when Hiroki infected me with Mag Loop Fever.? In my experience, anything will work, but of course some things work better than others.? A?piece of wire?seems to work better than a Buddistick and takes up a lot less room when you're packin'.? Have fun!? Let us know how it works! 73,? Eric WD6DBM? ________________________________ From: Nick Garner <nwgarner@...> To: QRPops <QRPops@...> Sent: Fri, January 15, 2010 2:32:16 PM Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials ? Rhonda, I had no idea they had a 20' pole, now I have one on order too.? I have a 14' pole from Cabela's that I've been using.? I was always kind of annoyed that it's just under 1/4 wavelength on 20 meters.? This pole 20' looks perfect because you can get some elevation on the radials.? As to your question, I always run the radials at an angle down to the ground, this is only because I don't want to figure out a way to make them horizontal/perpendi cular to the base of the vertical.? On my 31' pole, that means I'd need 15' poles just to hold the end of the radials up.? Running them at an angle also gives you the benefit of being able to use the radials as guys to hold the mast up.? I usually solder fishing swivels on the end of each radial and then when it's installed I run a piece of string from the swivel to a nail I stomp in the ground. Nick On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:37 PM, Eric <gliderboy1955@ yahoo.com> wrote: ? Oh you'll get lots of opinioms on this and none will match. ?:-)?
If you cant get the radials up 1/4 wave then put them on the ground. Velocity factor for ground radials is around 50% and length is not critical. Length is important for elevated radials. ?More radials are better for ground radials but 4 will work. I went from 6 to 66 radials on my vertical last summer to good effect. ?The feed impedance of a 1/4 wave vertical is not 50 ohms, so you'll have to compensate.
I strongly recommend you read ON4UN's Low Band DXing, chapter 7 I think is on verticals and is the most exhaustive discussion I know of. ?There is lots of bad information on verticals out there, some of it from people who mfg them. Imho.?
Bottom line though is use it and have fun!
73
Eric WD6DBM ?
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 15, 2010, at 11:38 AM, Rhona Mahony <rmahony@stanford. edu> wrote:
?
I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
B000FFQOSW/ ref=ox_ya_ oh_product
I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long, hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
Thanks for your practical tips!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@stanford. edu
|
Re: vertical antenna with radials
Dear Rhona:
?
It wasn't clear from your post if you were going to run your "Shakespeare" as a portable antenna or a quick-and-dirty home setup.? If you are running it portable, 2 radials will work.? In fact, when I run?ultralight portable from my bicycle, I use my KX1, a 28' wire thrown as high into a tree as I can get it, and ONE 16' radial.? This works for 40, 30 and 20,?and the KX1's internal tuna :-) will match it to around 2:1 or better.? Sometimes 2.5:1.? It depends on how far my messed up shoulder allows me to throw it up into the tree.?
?
I make contacts regularly with this rig, running only 2 watts from the KX1's internal battery pack.
?
I use a stainless steel nut (orchard supply) at the end so if it gets tangled and I have to yank it down and break the wire I'm not leaving lead behind.? So far I've managed to get them all down, but some were touch-and-go.??You can also get stainless steel sinkers from some tackle places online, but I have not seen them at a local store yet.? I haven't looked?much as I don't fish.
?
I always have used verticals portable, at least until recently when Hiroki infected me with Mag Loop Fever.? In my experience, anything will work, but of course some things work better than others.? A?piece of wire?seems to work better than a Buddistick and takes up a lot less room when you're packin'.?
?
Have fun!? Let us know how it works!
?
73,? Eric WD6DBM?
From: Nick Garner
To: QRPops
Sent: Fri, January 15, 2010 2:32:16 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPops] vertical antenna with radials
?
Rhonda,
I had no idea they had a 20' pole, now I have one on order too.? I have a 14' pole from Cabela's that I've been using.? I was always kind of annoyed that it's just under 1/4 wavelength on 20 meters.? This pole 20' looks perfect because you can get some elevation on the radials.?
As to your question, I always run the radials at an angle down to the ground, this is only because I don't want to figure out a way to make them horizontal/perpendi cular to the base of the vertical.? On my 31' pole, that means I'd need 15' poles just to hold the end of the radials up.? Running them at an angle also gives you the benefit of being able to use the radials as guys to hold the mast up.? I usually solder fishing swivels on the end of each radial and then when it's installed I run a piece of string from the swivel to a nail I stomp in the ground.
Nick
On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:37 PM, Eric <gliderboy1955@ yahoo.com> wrote:
?
Oh you'll get lots of opinioms on this and none will match. ?:-)?
If you cant get the radials up 1/4 wave then put them on the ground. Velocity factor for ground radials is around 50% and length is not critical. Length is important for elevated radials. ?More radials are better for ground radials but 4 will work. I went from 6 to 66 radials on my vertical last summer to good effect. ?The feed impedance of a 1/4 wave vertical is not 50 ohms, so you'll have to compensate.
I strongly recommend you read ON4UN's Low Band DXing, chapter 7 I think is on verticals and is the most exhaustive discussion I know of. ?There is lots of bad information on verticals out there, some of it from people who mfg them. Imho.?
Bottom line though is use it and have fun!
73
Eric WD6DBM ?
Sent from my iPhone
?
I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ B000FFQOSW/ ref=ox_ya_ oh_product
I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long, hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
Thanks for your practical tips!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@stanford. edu
|
Re: vertical antenna with radials
Rhonda,
I had no idea they had a 20' pole, now I have one on order too.? I have a 14' pole from Cabela's that I've been using.? I was always kind of annoyed that it's just under 1/4 wavelength on 20 meters.? This pole 20' looks perfect because you can get some elevation on the radials.?
As to your question, I always run the radials at an angle down to the ground, this is only because I don't want to figure out a way to make them horizontal/perpendicular to the base of the vertical.? On my 31' pole, that means I'd need 15' poles just to hold the end of the radials up.? Running them at an angle also gives you the benefit of being able to use the radials as guys to hold the mast up.? I usually solder fishing swivels on the end of each radial and then when it's installed I run a piece of string from the swivel to a nail I stomp in the ground.
Nick
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 12:37 PM, Eric <gliderboy1955@...> wrote:
?
Oh you'll get lots of opinioms on this and none will match. ?:-)?
If you cant get the radials up 1/4 wave then put them on the ground. Velocity factor for ground radials is around 50% and length is not critical. Length is important for elevated radials. ?More radials are better for ground radials but 4 will work. I went from 6 to 66 radials on my vertical last summer to good effect. ?The feed impedance of a 1/4 wave vertical is not 50 ohms, so you'll have to compensate.
I strongly recommend you read ON4UN's Low Band DXing, chapter 7 I think is on verticals and is the most exhaustive discussion I know of. ?There is lots of bad information on verticals out there, some of it from people who mfg them. Imho.?
Bottom line though is use it and have fun!
73
Eric WD6DBM
?
Sent from my iPhone On Jan 15, 2010, at 11:38 AM, Rhona Mahony < rmahony@...> wrote:
?
I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
.com/gp/product/B000FFQOSW/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long, hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
Thanks for your practical tips!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@...
|
Re: vertical antenna with radials
Oh you'll get lots of opinioms on this and none will match. ?:-)?
If you cant get the radials up 1/4 wave then put them on the ground. Velocity factor for ground radials is around 50% and length is not critical. Length is important for elevated radials. ?More radials are better for ground radials but 4 will work. I went from 6 to 66 radials on my vertical last summer to good effect. ?The feed impedance of a 1/4 wave vertical is not 50 ohms, so you'll have to compensate.
I strongly recommend you read ON4UN's Low Band DXing, chapter 7 I think is on verticals and is the most exhaustive discussion I know of. ?There is lots of bad information on verticals out there, some of it from people who mfg them. Imho.?
Bottom line though is use it and have fun!
73
Eric WD6DBM
?
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 15, 2010, at 11:38 AM, Rhona Mahony < rmahony@...> wrote:
?
I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
.com/gp/product/B000FFQOSW/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long, hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
Thanks for your practical tips!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@stanford.edu
|
vertical antenna with radials
I am waiting for UPS to deliver my 20-foot Shakespeare collapsible fiberglass fishing pole.
I have cut five pieces of wire about 16 feet, 4.5 inches long, hoping to have a 20M vertical with four radials. Will it be better if I suspend the radials parallel to the ground, about 3 feet above it, rather than descending close to the ground? I have seen tall, plastic garden stakes at the nursery that could hold the verticals parallel to the ground.
Thanks for your practical tips!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@...
|
Dear Gang:
With the high SF numbers lately and slightly warmer weather today, I played hooky and went out to the Baylands. I used a slightly different setup, with a Diamond SX-20 swr meter inline and tied to the mag loop tripod. To tune up the loop I put a 2-watt carrier on the air from my K2, then adjusted the loop. This had the additional benefit that i could step away from the loop, watch the meter, then step back and adjust the tuning until it was flat. I could also see the meter (crossed needle type) from my operating position in the hoopdie, and know when i needed to retune the loop. I used the K2s internal tuner to keep the rig happy also. Picture attached
Conditions were not as good as I had hoped. Choppers were ferrying hardware to nearby high voltage towers the entire time i was there, flying right overhead. I heard nothing on 15m. On 20 i heard one ja and one kp4 but neither responded to my call. I did work Karl in Grand Rapids, MI on 20 cw.
I was up at 2am the night before modifying the noise blanker in my K2, but no one cooperated today with impulse noise so i couldn't test it!
I'm trying to score a high-voltage variable cap to build a larger qro loop for 30-10m.
73
Eric WD6DBM
Sent from my iPhone
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Re: 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
| Nick,
Mega dittos on all the nice comments.?Get well quickly and I am sure you will be ready to freeze your butt off in no time!
|
--- On Wed, 1/13/10, Nick Garner wrote:
?
Thanks Eric and Hiro.? They've got me on hydrocodone which is making the recovery a bit easier.? This will put a damper on any upcoming outings for me but I should be good to go for FYBO at the beginning of February.
Nick
On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 5:09 PM, Hiroki Kato <hiroki@pacbell. net> wrote:
?
|
Nick,
Yikes. That was a close call. Hope you are recovering fast. Send us an SOS if we can do anything for you.
Hiroki
--- On Wed, 1/13/10, Nick Garner <nwgarner@gmail. com> wrote:
From: Nick Garner <nwgarner@gmail. com>
Subject: [QRPops] 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
To: "qrpops" <QRPops@yahoogroups. com>
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 11:21 AM
?
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.? Our hike out was uneventful.? We got to our campsite around 1:30PM and got the radio set up quickly.? We had an MFJ mast with us and set up a 20m vertical with four radials, like we used to do at Seaport.? The radio used with that antenna was an FT-857.? 20 meters sounded great from where we were, we were down in a little valley though.? We made a few contacts around the country and called CQ on the HFPack frequencies for a while around 2PM and 3PM.? I did hear AH6CY try to answer a CQ at one point so I know we were hearing you.
We went for a quick 2 mile hike up around the ridge in the afternoon.? Back in camp when the sun was setting, we cooked our dinner and listened to the radio for a while.? We ended up chatting more than talking on the radio, it was very peaceful up there.?? Before sunset, I hung my antenna wire in a nearby tree so I could use it when I went to bed.? I hit the rack around 9:30PM and hooked up my radio inside the tent.? I spent about 20 minutes calling CQ on 30 and 40 with my new Palm Mini Paddle but couldn't raise anyone.? I ended up listening to shortwave broadcast news and falling asleep around 11.?
I woke up around 3AM with some intense stomach pain.? I thought it was just a stomach ache from the freeze-dried lasagna stuff I ate for dinner and tried to get back to sleep.? I tossed and turned the rest of the night.? When I got up around 7AM it was still there.? We ate some breakfast and hiked about 4 miles out to the car.? I got home around 1PM and tried to relax a bit after cleaning up.? By 11PM it was still there so I decided to go to the emergency room.? After a quick CT scan, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and scheduled for surgery.? I had my appendix removed Monday afternoon.? I came home from the hospital last night and am taking it easy the rest of this week.
Other than the whole appendix inconvenience, we had a great trip.? I have a feeling that we're going to be doing little trips like this more often.? I'm looking forward to FYBO in February.? So far we have myself, Andy, and Dave camping up there with a possibility of Tim biking up.? Is anyone else planning on coming out to Monte Bello?? I have the group campsite reserved for that whole weekend, Feb 5-7.? Check out is Sunday morning around 11AM.
Here's some pics from the weekend:
Nick
|
|
Re: 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
Thanks Eric and Hiro.? They've got me on hydrocodone which is making the recovery a bit easier.? This will put a damper on any upcoming outings for me but I should be good to go for FYBO at the beginning of February.
Nick
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 5:09 PM, Hiroki Kato <hiroki@...> wrote:
?
|
Nick,
Yikes. That was a close call. Hope you are recovering fast. Send us an SOS if we can do anything for you.
Hiroki
--- On Wed, 1/13/10, Nick Garner <nwgarner@...> wrote:
From: Nick Garner <nwgarner@...>
Subject: [QRPops] 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
To: "qrpops" <QRPops@...>
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 11:21 AM
?
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.? Our hike out was uneventful.? We got to our campsite around 1:30PM and got the radio set up quickly.? We had an MFJ mast with us and set up a 20m vertical with four radials, like we used to do at Seaport.? The radio used with that antenna was an FT-857.? 20 meters sounded great from where we were, we were down in a little valley though.? We made a few contacts around the country and called CQ on the HFPack frequencies for a while around 2PM and 3PM.? I did hear AH6CY try to answer a CQ at one point so I know we were hearing you.
We went for a quick 2 mile hike up around the ridge in the afternoon.? Back in camp when the sun was setting, we cooked our dinner and listened to the radio for a while.? We ended up chatting more than talking on the radio, it was very peaceful up there.?? Before sunset, I hung my antenna wire in a nearby tree so I could use it when I went to bed.? I hit the rack around 9:30PM and hooked up my radio inside the tent.? I spent about 20 minutes calling CQ on 30 and 40 with my new Palm Mini Paddle but couldn't raise anyone.? I ended up listening to shortwave broadcast news and falling asleep around 11.?
I woke up around 3AM with some intense stomach pain.? I thought it was just a stomach ache from the freeze-dried lasagna stuff I ate for dinner and tried to get back to sleep.? I tossed and turned the rest of the night.? When I got up around 7AM it was still there.? We ate some breakfast and hiked about 4 miles out to the car.? I got home around 1PM and tried to relax a bit after cleaning up.? By 11PM it was still there so I decided to go to the emergency room.? After a quick CT scan, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and scheduled for surgery.? I had my appendix removed Monday afternoon.? I came home from the hospital last night and am taking it easy the rest of this week.
Other than the whole appendix inconvenience, we had a great trip.? I have a feeling that we're going to be doing little trips like this more often.? I'm looking forward to FYBO in February.? So far we have myself, Andy, and Dave camping up there with a possibility of Tim biking up.? Is anyone else planning on coming out to Monte Bello?? I have the group campsite reserved for that whole weekend, Feb 5-7.? Check out is Sunday morning around 11AM.
Here's some pics from the weekend:
Nick
|
|
Re: 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
| Nick,
Yikes. That was a close call. Hope you are recovering fast. Send us an SOS if we can do anything for you.
Hiroki
|
--- On Wed, 1/13/10, Nick Garner wrote:
From: Nick Garner
Subject: [QRPops] 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
To: "qrpops"
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 11:21 AM
?
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.? Our hike out was uneventful.? We got to our campsite around 1:30PM and got the radio set up quickly.? We had an MFJ mast with us and set up a 20m vertical with four radials, like we used to do at Seaport.? The radio used with that antenna was an FT-857.? 20 meters sounded great from where we were, we were down in a little valley though.? We made a few contacts around the country and called CQ on the HFPack frequencies for a while around 2PM and 3PM.? I did hear AH6CY try to answer a CQ at one point so I know we were hearing you.
We went for a quick 2 mile hike up around the ridge in the afternoon.? Back in camp when the sun was setting, we cooked our dinner and listened to the radio for a while.? We ended up chatting more than talking on the radio, it was very peaceful up there.?? Before sunset, I hung my antenna wire in a nearby tree so I could use it when I went to bed.? I hit the rack around 9:30PM and hooked up my radio inside the tent.? I spent about 20 minutes calling CQ on 30 and 40 with my new Palm Mini Paddle but couldn't raise anyone.? I ended up listening to shortwave broadcast news and falling asleep around 11.?
I woke up around 3AM with some intense stomach pain.? I thought it was just a stomach ache from the freeze-dried lasagna stuff I ate for dinner and tried to get back to sleep.? I tossed and turned the rest of the night.? When I got up around 7AM it was still there.? We ate some breakfast and hiked about 4 miles out to the car.? I got home around 1PM and tried to relax a bit after cleaning up.? By 11PM it was still there so I decided to go to the emergency room.? After a quick CT scan, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and scheduled for surgery.? I had my appendix removed Monday afternoon.? I came home from the hospital last night and am taking it easy the rest of this week.
Other than the whole appendix inconvenience, we had a great trip.? I have a feeling that we're going to be doing little trips like this more often.? I'm looking forward to FYBO in February.? So far we have myself, Andy, and Dave camping up there with a possibility of Tim biking up.? Is anyone else planning on coming out to Monte Bello?? I have the group campsite reserved for that whole weekend, Feb 5-7.? Check out is Sunday morning around 11AM.
Here's some pics from the weekend:
Nick
|
Hi Rhona,
Henry Coe does have water available at several locations.? We were camped at Frog Lake and parked near the ranger station/visitor center.? The water at Frog Lake is pretty nasty and I don't think I'd drink it, even after filtering it.? Other lakes in the park, like China Hole, are much cleaner, I've been told.? We were only there for the two days so I brought all the water I used and left the filter at home.? I had about 200 ounces of water with me.? There are streams in the park as well, I was told that they're running kind of slow during this time of year.? The ranger out there has always been helpful when I ask questions.
The park is huge and there are plenty of opportunities for backpacking trips from overnight to multi-week trips out to the wilderness area.? The trip to China Hole isn't too far, 5 miles I think.? It's a very popular destination.
Nick
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 1:04 PM, Rhona Mahony <rmahony@...> wrote:
?
Hello Nick,
Sorry about your appendicitis! Ouch!
I am waiting for a 20-foot fiberglass fishing pole to come by UPS. I hope to start joining you fellows on outings soon.
Where in Henry Coe did you park and sleep? Did you get your water from a stream or a park-provided faucet? My daughters want to go backpacking soon with a friend. I am looking for a nearby destination with water.
Hope that you fully recover soon!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@...
----- Original Message -----
From: Nick Garner <nwgarner@...>
To: qrpops <QRPops@...>
Sent: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:21:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QRPops] 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.....
|
Re: 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
Holy crap Nick! ?Glad to hear you're ok. ?Good thing you weren't doing the Nose route on El Cap.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 13, 2010, at 11:21 AM, Nick Garner < nwgarner@...> wrote:
?
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.? Our hike out was uneventful.? We got to our campsite around 1:30PM and got the radio set up quickly.? We had an MFJ mast with us and set up a 20m vertical with four radials, like we used to do at Seaport.? The radio used with that antenna was an FT-857.? 20 meters sounded great from where we were, we were down in a little valley though.? We made a few contacts around the country and called CQ on the HFPack frequencies for a while around 2PM and 3PM.? I did hear AH6CY try to answer a CQ at one point so I know we were hearing you.
We went for a quick 2 mile hike up around the ridge in the afternoon.? Back in camp when the sun was setting, we cooked our dinner and listened to the radio for a while.? We ended up chatting more than talking on the radio, it was very peaceful up there.?? Before sunset, I hung my antenna wire in a nearby tree so I could use it when I went to bed.? I hit the rack around 9:30PM and hooked up my radio inside the tent.? I spent about 20 minutes calling CQ on 30 and 40 with my new Palm Mini Paddle but couldn't raise anyone.? I ended up listening to shortwave broadcast news and falling asleep around 11.?
I woke up around 3AM with some intense stomach pain.? I thought it was just a stomach ache from the freeze-dried lasagna stuff I ate for dinner and tried to get back to sleep.? I tossed and turned the rest of the night.? When I got up around 7AM it was still there.? We ate some breakfast and hiked about 4 miles out to the car.? I got home around 1PM and tried to relax a bit after cleaning up.? By 11PM it was still there so I decided to go to the emergency room.? After a quick CT scan, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and scheduled for surgery.? I had my appendix removed Monday afternoon.? I came home from the hospital last night and am taking it easy the rest of this week.
Other than the whole appendix inconvenience, we had a great trip.? I have a feeling that we're going to be doing little trips like this more often.? I'm looking forward to FYBO in February.? So far we have myself, Andy, and Dave camping up there with a possibility of Tim biking up.? Is anyone else planning on coming out to Monte Bello?? I have the group campsite reserved for that whole weekend, Feb 5-7.? Check out is Sunday morning around 11AM.
Here's some pics from the weekend:
.nwgarner/20100109HenryCoeBackpacking#
Nick
|
Hello Nick,
Sorry about your appendicitis! Ouch!
I am waiting for a 20-foot fiberglass fishing pole to come by UPS. I hope to start joining you fellows on outings soon.
Where in Henry Coe did you park and sleep? Did you get your water from a stream or a park-provided faucet? My daughters want to go backpacking soon with a friend. I am looking for a nearby destination with water.
Hope that you fully recover soon!
~~Rhona, K6RHO
--
Rhona Mahony
rmahony@...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
From: Nick Garner <nwgarner@...>
To: qrpops <QRPops@...>
Sent: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:21:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QRPops] 20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.....
|
20100109 Henry Coe Trip / ER / FYBO
Howdy Folks,
Andy and I headed out to Henry Coe on Saturday morning.? Our hike out was uneventful.? We got to our campsite around 1:30PM and got the radio set up quickly.? We had an MFJ mast with us and set up a 20m vertical with four radials, like we used to do at Seaport.? The radio used with that antenna was an FT-857.? 20 meters sounded great from where we were, we were down in a little valley though.? We made a few contacts around the country and called CQ on the HFPack frequencies for a while around 2PM and 3PM.? I did hear AH6CY try to answer a CQ at one point so I know we were hearing you.
We went for a quick 2 mile hike up around the ridge in the afternoon.? Back in camp when the sun was setting, we cooked our dinner and listened to the radio for a while.? We ended up chatting more than talking on the radio, it was very peaceful up there.?? Before sunset, I hung my antenna wire in a nearby tree so I could use it when I went to bed.? I hit the rack around 9:30PM and hooked up my radio inside the tent.? I spent about 20 minutes calling CQ on 30 and 40 with my new Palm Mini Paddle but couldn't raise anyone.? I ended up listening to shortwave broadcast news and falling asleep around 11.?
I woke up around 3AM with some intense stomach pain.? I thought it was just a stomach ache from the freeze-dried lasagna stuff I ate for dinner and tried to get back to sleep.? I tossed and turned the rest of the night.? When I got up around 7AM it was still there.? We ate some breakfast and hiked about 4 miles out to the car.? I got home around 1PM and tried to relax a bit after cleaning up.? By 11PM it was still there so I decided to go to the emergency room.? After a quick CT scan, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and scheduled for surgery.? I had my appendix removed Monday afternoon.? I came home from the hospital last night and am taking it easy the rest of this week.
Other than the whole appendix inconvenience, we had a great trip.? I have a feeling that we're going to be doing little trips like this more often.? I'm looking forward to FYBO in February.? So far we have myself, Andy, and Dave camping up there with a possibility of Tim biking up.? Is anyone else planning on coming out to Monte Bello?? I have the group campsite reserved for that whole weekend, Feb 5-7.? Check out is Sunday morning around 11AM.
Here's some pics from the weekend:
Nick
|
Nick Garner