Antenna & Tower Recommendations
markg at iserver.starlight.com
markg at iserver.starlight.com
Sun Apr 16 16:48:20 EDT 1995
I have been reading for some time posting on this reflector concerning
contests, antennas, and station configuration and know this is a very
well informed group. In an effort to work more than the top ten
stations in a contest and do some DXing in this low sun spot period
(work BS7H? I never even heard BS7H) I have made plans (translation:
finally gotten the wifes approval) to put up a tower on our small lot
(i.e. very difficult to put up any type of wire antenna even on 40M).
I have put together a configuration based on performance,
survivablility, serviceability, and neighborhood friendlyness (i.e.
lowest height when cranked down). Since I will have to live with
whatever I decide to do I would very much appreciate any comparsions,
feedback, experience, or suggestions on the following:
Tower: Tri-Ex LM-470 or US Tower HDX-572 @65' (local limit)
(comparsions?)
At 65': Force-12 Magnum 520/240 (5 element 20M, 2 element 40M)
At 50' (using TIC ring rotor): Force-12 4BA or DX Engineering LP17
(for 10,12,15,17) (comparsions?)
Would there be any big advantage to putting a 5-band ant. at 50' such
as a 5BA or LP20 to get another 20M choice or would I just get
destructive interference?
Please send responses directly so as not to clutter the reflector. If
enough interest I will post the results. Thanks and maybe you'll even
be able to hear me in the next contest.
73's,
Mark AB6WD
markg at starlight.com
>From David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com> Mon Apr 17 00:00:00 1995
From: David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com> (David & Barbara Leeson)
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 95 18:00 EST
Subject: Rotators w/ shafts
Message-ID: <90950416230009/0005543629NA3EM at MCIMAIL.COM>
I've been fooling around calculating the torque capacity of keyed steel
shafts, using the information in Machinery's Handbook. It appears that
even with the best hardened steel, it is not possible to design a keyed
1" diameter steel shaft that can carry 5000 in-lb torque with a heavy
shock load. This could explain the disappointing results obtained with
HDR300 or Orion 2300/2800 rotators in many applications.
I was alerted to this by a letter from VE3AIA, who suggested flanged or
similar connection to the output gear of a rotator as a stronger way to
go. It appears that a 1.5" or 2" shaft with the appropriate size key
(1/2") can carry the rotating torque specified by the rotator manufacturers,
but certainly not the much higher braking torque numbers I've seen in
various specifications.
It seems that the output gear of a high-performance rotator needs to be
connected directly to the mast (or better, to the mast torque shock
absorber), or through at least a 2" diameter hardened steel shaft with a
key made of the same material. Unfortunately, most rotators made with
a direct connection between the output gear and the mast aren't made with
strong enough stuff, so the benefit isn't there. Maybe TIC would consider
a ring rotator design to fit inside a standard tower section as a good way
to rotate a mast.
This information is in Machinery's Handbook, page 311 (shafts) and 2234
(keys and keyways). I'd be interested in anyone else's calculations of
shaft torque in rotators. I haven't had really satisfactory results from
either HDR300's (I have 4) or Orion 2300's (I have 2), and the major problems
seem to be working of the keys in the shafts resulting in excessive play.
Does anyone have experience with the new Yaesu HD rotator? Geez, it only
takes 1/10 horsepower to get 6300 in-lb at 1 rpm, you'd think it could be
a snap. Comments or ideas, anyone?
73 de Dave, W6QHS
>From kn5hose at acca.nmsu.edu (kn5hose) Mon Apr 17 02:22:41 1995
From: kn5hose at acca.nmsu.edu (kn5hose) (kn5hose)
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 19:22:41 -0600
Subject: cancelling prop info
Message-ID: <199504170122.TAA22660 at acca.nmsu.edu>
WHO ARE YOU????????????????????
>From kn5hose at acca.nmsu.edu (kn5hose) Mon Apr 17 02:23:54 1995
From: kn5hose at acca.nmsu.edu (kn5hose) (kn5hose)
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 19:23:54 -0600
Subject: More Sprint Thoughts
Message-ID: <199504170123.TAA22700 at acca.nmsu.edu>
Great idea, are you volunteering to collect logs and publish results??
de Hose KN5H .... ..
>From kn5hose at acca.nmsu.edu (kn5hose) Mon Apr 17 02:28:51 1995
From: kn5hose at acca.nmsu.edu (kn5hose) (kn5hose)
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 19:28:51 -0600
Subject: Complaint department
Message-ID: <199504170128.TAA22858 at acca.nmsu.edu>
Tree, how do we get the ARRL to do a more efficient job regarding contest
results?? I am very guilty of whining about the lack of log checking.
(I should beware.. my SS log dropped from 1352 to 1319,, of course it was
my fault). Let us know what if anything you heard about this traumatic
problem de Hose KN5H
>From Paul Knupke (CS)" <knupke at babbage.csee.usf.edu Mon Apr 17 04:24:30 1995
From: Paul Knupke (CS)" <knupke at babbage.csee.usf.edu (Paul Knupke (CS))
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 23:24:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: squINT
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950416231722.23794B at babbage>
squINT results for KR4YL:
Total time: 50 minutes
Total contacts: 5 (K1CC, K1VR, AA2IX, KM3T, and one I can't remember as
the log is elsewhere.)
Total multipliers: 4 (MA, CT, RI and NY)
Operator: my youngest sister Karen. (The first YL to operate KR4YL ever!)
Exchange: Karen, 13, Green, Florida
We S&P'ed the entire thing, as none her CQ's were returned.
Conditions here in Florida were not very good, several folks we heard who
Karen wanted to work were not workable with strong signals 1.5 to 2 KHz
away. Had lots of QRM from several Spanish speaking stations.
It was the first time I have been able to get any of my three sisters in
front of a radio (can't get them to talk to people they know on 2
meters or 70cm.)
I wish it was longer, just as Karen was getting into the swing of
phonetics and proceedures it was over.
The best operator I heard was Adam at K1CC.
73 de KR4YL
Paul
* ======================================================================= *
> Paul Knupke, Jr. < * > University of South Florida Computer Engineering <
> knupke at babbage.csee.usf.edu < * > Fidonet 1:3603/61 or 1:377/61 <
> Tampa, FL * Amateur Radio Callsign KR4YL * Packet @WA1GUD.#TPA.FL.NOAM <
* ======================================================================= *
"We're only immortal for a limited time ..." -- Neil Peart
>From apontej at dmapub.dma.org (Jose Aponte) Mon Apr 17 04:37:06 1995
From: apontej at dmapub.dma.org (Jose Aponte) (Jose Aponte)
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 23:37:06 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: More Sprint Thoughts
Message-ID: <m0s0hcZ-00028mC at dmapub.dma.org>
>
> Great idea, are you volunteering to collect logs and publish results??
> de Hose KN5H .... ..
>c disclosure either but putting out there in a file server would ease
the load of checking because anyone with a doubt & on the net could check it.
if it outs the work... I have been requesting the logs at least of the
record holders... No Way Jose... not wiht an H ;-)
Sorry John... put could not resist... to post on this...
write to cq-magazine at aol.com c/o john...
that way you can do the same with the arrl... I am not.
Jose
kp4uy
>From Jerry Sidorov" <jerry at ua9ar.urc.ac.ru Sun Apr 16 19:12:04 1995
From: Jerry Sidorov" <jerry at ua9ar.urc.ac.ru (Jerry Sidorov)
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 95 22:12:04 +0400
Subject: Phone WPX 95 score
Message-ID: <AAqtLalyi0 at ua9ar.urc.ac.ru>
CQ WORLD WIDE WPX CONTEST 1995
CALL: UA9AR COUNTRY: Asiatic Russia
MODE: SSB CLASS: SO
BAND QSO QSO PTS PTS/QSO PREFIXES
160 4 24 6.0 2
80 23 126 5.5 6
40 52 300 5.8 39
20 305 885 2.9 173
15 421 1263 3.0 187
10 0 0 0.0 0
================================================
Totals 805 2598 3.2 407 => 1,057,386
All reports sent 59(9) unless otherwise noted.
Equipment Description: Home-Brewed TRCVR 200W output,
Horizontal Delta on 160m,
4 Switched Slopers on 80m & 40m
W-E Phased Dipoles on 40m
3 el Yagi @ 60' on 20m
4 el wide spaced Yagi @ 60' on 15m
Club Affiliation: None
This is to certify that in this contest I have operated
my transmitter within the limitations of my license and have
observed fully the rules and regulations of the contest.
Signature__________________________
MAILING ADDRESS:
Jerry Sidorov UA9AR
P/O Box 9411
Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russia
---
73, Jerry UA9AR.
>From David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com> Mon Apr 17 07:39:00 1995
From: David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com> (David & Barbara Leeson)
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 95 01:39 EST
Subject: Contest Amps
Message-ID: <61950417063916/0005543629NA2EM at MCIMAIL.COM>
After last October's CQWW SSB at HC8A, Rich N6KT and I spent nearly the
whole 8-hour flight from Quito to Miami daydreaming about the perfect
contest DXpedition amplifier. We scribbled down some specs, listed here
in a somewhat priority order. Comments and suggestions are very welcome,
we just thought it would be interesting to other contesters...
Transportable, Easy-to-tune Contest Amplifiers per N6KT, W6QHS
>1200 watts output all bands with 100 w drive, good input match
6 bands, no WARC req'd
Output power, SWR metering
Built in transceiver band filters, output harmonic filters
Minimum weight (<35 lbs. per box, 2 max)
Ship with tubes in sockets - vibration isolate amplifier RF deck
Small size, tubes in horizontal position?
Shape similar to TS830/930/940
Separate power supply or removeable transformer for transport
LCD meters for travel shock, weight
Big blower(s), vacuum relays
Transmit-receive relays timed so no chance of hot switching
Single transformer incl. filaments, bias, taps for various line voltages
Auto adjustment for varying line voltage, or easy switch
Restart without delay (at least if has been running), or "battle short"
ALC (rather than fault) from all of Pout, Prev, Ig, Ip, plate RF voltage
Breakers, not fuses for mains
Preset scale you can write on easily (and erase)
Verniers? Air caps for weight, can be fixed in field
RF output transformer for smaller capacitance on output side, lower Q?
Bleeders minimum dissipation (switch or relay off?)
Step start, electronic bias switching for minimum dissipation
Carrying case (canvas?)
Flat knobs for shipping size
Very safe, easily repaired HV connection if separate power supply
Electrolytic caps ok
1 KV piv, 2.5A diodes for field replacement
MOV's in AC mains, easy to change AC connectors
Ground at power supply, diode at RF deck
Fold-out handles
Circuit diagram on bottom or inside of case for field repairs
Minimum different tools and fasteners req'd to service case, knobs, etc.
Top mounting available for antenna switches
Shaft out back for antenna switches, or switching voltage for relays?
3CX1200A7-D7 the best tube for all of this, or multiple 4CX350's?
Please direct comments directly to me, and I will summarize.
73 de Dave, W6QHS 554-3629 at mcimail.com
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