[CQ-Contest] Low Wires Contest Club update

[PaulKB8N at aol.com]

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