[CQ-Contest] 10M STACKS

[DougKR2Q at aol.com]

In a message dated 97-10-21 06:34:56 EDT, Bud, K4ISV wrote:

<< MORAL TO THE STORY:  THERE IS NO PERFECT HIGHT OR ANTENNA-
 HAVE A BUNCH AND USE THE ONE THAT WORKS BEST AT THE PARTICULAR   TIME.    >>

This is always true!  I am always stunned when some "contester" spends their
money on a "newer" rig instead of adding antennas...even a tribander, or even
WIRE ones!  Everything helps.

At K2GL/N2AA in Tuxedo Park, NY, we were blessed with multiple 10 meter
antennas.  1) stacked 10's on a rotating tower up on the ridge (70' higher
than the house).  2) 10 elements at 80 feet on the "pool tower."  3) 10
elements at 80 feet on the "driveway tower."  4) stacked 5's on a 4th tower.

It always amazed me how ANY antenna could be king at any given minute, in the
same direction.  The "pool" tower and the "driveway" tower were probably less
than 200 feet apart, both at the same ground elevation.  Both had identical
antennas (10 element Telrexes), both fed with 1 5/8 heliax.  From minute to
minute, they would alternate as much as 10 db on a given station...weird.
 And, sometimes the pool tower would be 20 db louder (receive) than the 10
over 10 stacks up on the hill!  All of this is especially true in disturbed
condx, but happen under normal condx also.

The driveway tower was ALWAYS a one call antenna for SA and the Pacific.  It
outperformed the rotating 10 stacks and the 5 over 5 stack ALL THE TIME (in
those directions) depite be MUCH LOWER.  And from the East Coast USA, VK/ZL
is not exactly close in for high angle stuff.

I've seen a T-shirt that says LOUD IS GOOD.  Then I saw that one that said
REAL LOUD IS BETTER.  When it comes to antennas and towers, MORE IS BETTER.

de Doug KR2Q

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