[CQ-Contest] Going from 50 to 70 ft.

[Chet]

I think  that doubling you height thing is  one old wives tale that some of
the guys on the reflector can speak to.  Lots of guys out there now that
have the same antenna stacked at 160 ft 100 feet and 40feet that can phase
em all, or use any individual beam separately.  I am sure they will weigh in
on this.  Of course it depends on whether you are a contester or a dx'er but
The PVRC video tapes featuring W3LPL recommend that if you can only have one
tower, make it a 100 Footer.  At any given time on any given band you will
find large differences between the high and low beam and stacking 2 or 3 of
em fills in most of the nulls in between.

73

Chet

-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Edward Swynar
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 6:12 PM
To: Ralph Bellas; cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Going from 50 to 70 ft.

Hi Ralph,

This is totally unsubstantiated with any personal "...blood, sweat, & tears"
on my part, but I recall reading somewhere years & years ago (the "NCJ",
maybe...?) that in order to experience any detectable/noticeable benefit in
making your tower taller, you have to at least double the existing height...

Increments of one, or two, sections just doesn't cut it, apparently...

...But I defer to the real-world experts reading this who have first-hand
practical knowledge & experience in all this...!

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ


************************************

--- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Bellas" <k9zo at hotmail.com>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 10:17 AM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Going from 50 to 70 ft.


>
> Folks,
>
>
>
> I'm beginning to frame up an article for the July/August NCJ  "Contesting
on a Budget" column.  The topic will be to look at the benefits, costs, and
considerations associated with raising a tower from 50 feet to 70 feet.
Here are some of the thoughts I have:
>
>
>
> Benefits:
>
> You will hear and work dx which was previously unavailable.  My estimate
is that you will add an S unit.
>
> Occasionally get to run dx, especially during non-contest times.
>
> Be able to raise your lowband antennas.
>
> Add the possibility of mounting a tribander in a fixed direction to add
contest flexibility.
>
> Possibly decrease RF in your shack and get rid of unresolved problems.
>
>
>
> Considerations:
>
> If you live in a hill, or have a good view, perhaps there will not be as
great a benefit.
>
> Now you always must use proper safety equipment when climbing.
>
> Perhaps this is the time to replace coax, or go to a bigger antenna.
>
> It becomes more noticable
>
> Is a permit required?
>
> You will need to locate a gin pole for the last few sections.
>
> Could your signal be worse to certain areas?
>
>
>
> Costs:
>
> Probably you will be moving away from the simple house bracketed tower and
will have to add real anchors and guy wires.
> You might have to relocate the tower and use two sets of guy wires.
>
> Two sections of tower, turnbuckles, clamps, rotor cable, coax, tape
>
>
>
>
>
> If you have been in the situation where you have raised your tower I'd
love to hear from you and learn what you came across.  Thanks.
>
>
>
> Ralph
>
> K9ZO
>
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