[CQ-Contest] High band rx arrays for contesting

[Tim Duffy]

Hello Mike and Dave!

We have found that 4 squares on 20, 15 and 10 meters work very well for
hearing DX stations. Quick rotation is certainly a plus. It is amazing how
close their performance is - when compared to some of the horizontal Yagi's.

As is the case with low frequency 4 squares, the ground radial field is
critical to getting best performance (gain). For these three HF bands (20,
15 and 10) at K3LR, the 4 squares have 120 radials that are one half
wavelength long under each quarter wave element. All over lapping radials
are silver soldered at their junctions. Ground losses must be minimized.

We have been using quarter wave element four square vertical arrays on all
HF contest bands (except 160 meters) for more than 20 years. They are very
effective for DX!

73,
Tim K3LR

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
David Siddall
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2014 5:47 PM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Cc: W0MU Mike Fatchett
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] High band rx arrays for contesting

K3LR has 4-squares on the high bands (in addition to a multiple OWAs etc.).


On Mon, Sep 1, 2014 at 12:51 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:

> I have switched to many different receiving antennas on the high bands.
> The ability to listen in many different direction with the array would be
a
> plus.  It never fails that when I turn my beam to EU, AF or SA call.  I
> don't see why a circle or 4 sq array would not work on the high bands.
> Finding the sweet spot for 20, 15 and 10  might be more challenging.
>
> K3LR or W3LPL or others might have comments based on modeling.
>
> Mike W0MU
>
> On 8/31/2014 11:39 PM, Bob Kupps via CQ-Contest wrote:
>
>> Hi we enjoy a relatively high level of propagated QRN here right up
>> through 30 mHz. We have some good transmitting antennas that certainly
help
>> but even using stacks we get some very deep mid-angle nulls with our flat
>> Fresnel zone. The phased vertical rx arrays look very attractive with a
>> beam width comparable to our yagis but a much nicer elevation profile and
>> F/B. Plus the ability to switch directions very rapidly. The downside
might
>> be their low sensitivity below 6-7 degrees elevation compared to the high
>> horizontal antennas.
>>
>> Does anyone have experience using rx arrays on the high bands in
contests?
>>
>> 73 Bob HS0ZIA
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