Well - here is possibly my "final report" on the phased array experiments.
I do believe my last attempt was working pretty well. It involved detuning
the gamma matched tower and using the ground system for it with a second
wire "tee" antenna similar to my other element... This antenna seemed to
be directional - and did seem to get out.
My biggest problem with it is that I had no reference antenna to compare it
to - since it involved "destroying" my gamma matched tower.
So - today - I went back to a parasitic array. I put the wire element
about 90 feet away from the gamma matched tower - and tuned it for about
1910 kHz. Then, I wound a coil to bring the resonance down to about
1760 kHz. A couple of relays enabled me to either use this second element
as a reflector or director... or also I could open them both and have
the gamma matched tower working on its own.
This allows me to compare the performance of the beam to the single
element.
This evening - RA4LW was like a beacon on the band. Vlad reported seeing
an S unit improvement in my signal with the reflector. That is probably
a generous estimate - but I am glad to see it was a significant difference.
I can hear a nice little bump in his signal when I switch it in. In fact,
at one point, Vlad got loud enough that I was able to work him with just
100 watts!!! I was stunned that no other European signals were coming
through.
I do have about 40 radials down with this element. I will be adding
another 10 or 20 before the CQ 160 contest.
73 Tree N6TR
tree@kkn.net
_______________________________________________
Topband mailing list
Topband@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband
|