To all:
We've had responses to the LWCC from about thirty folks so far, and there
seems to be a lot of motivation to get this effort going. We will soon be
sending out a request for information on you, your station, your antennas, and
your contesting experience and preferences.
In the mean time, I'd like to relate to you three myths that I hope this
club will help debunk and are at the core of our purpose.
Myth #1: It'll never work! (referring to antennas)
Response: I've heard this about many antennas I've tried. Statements like
"verticals radiate equally poorly in all directions" or "dipoles need to be
at least a half-wavelength in height to work properly. My 160M buddies told
me a dipole at 30' will never work. Use a vertical or an Inverted L they
said. I tried everything, and, so far, the low dipole outperformed them all.
I've currently got 43 countries worked from South Texas, including two QSOs
with Russian stations on the distant side of the Black Sea, running just 80
watts to the low dipole.
Randy, K5ZD, is one of the top contesters in the world, yet by world-class
standards, he has a modest station and antenna farm. His philosophy on
antennas: "Try stuff, if it doesn't work, take it down, if it does, keep it
up!"
We're getting responses to the club from a wide range of antenna users. One
respondent from Germany even uses small magnetic loops from the balcony of
his apartment! We want everyone to realize that there are antennas out there
that work (even when they're not "supposed to"), and we want to share best
our ideas.
Myth #2: You can't do that!
What I'm referring to here is covenants and zoning restrictions. While I
don't encourage anyone to violate their neighborhood rules, I believe that we
can live within the "spirit and intent" of the rules and still have
competitive antennas. There are two reasons that covenants restrict ham radio
operations. First is that many antennas are perceived as being visually
detracting,
and secondly, hams are sometimes know to cause interference with other
services.
It is very possible to have high-performance, permanent wire antennas that
are neither a visual detraction or a source of interference. I use #24 wire
and ladder line inside a fiberglass mast to create an almost invisible
roof-mounted antenna system. I have been a very successful contester with
this
simple system. Remember, when putting up antennas, it is always easier to ask
forgiveness than to obtain permission. Following this philosophy, I've
installed wire antennas all around the world while in the USAF, and never had
a
single complaint.
Myths #3: You'll never win!
Response: Winning is every bit a state of mind as a score! Johnny Unitas
was said to be too small to be a winning quarterback, but look at what he did!
A QRP station with a G5RV at 20' and scores 100,000 points in CQWW CW is
every bit as much a winner as a high-power guy with multiple beams who scores
a
million points, IMHO.
Our purpose as a contest club is to champion the Small Pistols by
associating them with operators with similar setups, allowing them to make
apples to
apples comparisons with their peers and giving them recognition for their
achievements.
Stay tuned, we'll soon be asking you to tell us about yourself, your
antennas, your station, and your contesting preferences. We'll make the
results
known to all, with your permission.
Thanks and 73,
Paul, K5AF
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|