[RTTY] RTTY Contesting and Verticals

[Barry]

John,
I'm not comparing stacked TH7s to the vert, but a TH7 at 25 ft to the 
vert.  IMO, a dipole would perform significantly better than a vertical 
on 20-10.
73,
Barry

John Barber GW4SKA wrote:
> Given a choice between stacked TH7s and my verticals, maybe the beams 
> would win!
>
> In the real world of many contesters, especially beginners, not many 
> will have the space or the cash for big towers and beams. Verticals 
> offer an alternative and cost next to nothing to build. The only 
> commercial antenna that I have ever bought was a multi-band trapped 
> vertical; very expensive with an 80M add-on. The first time I showed 
> it some power the traps burnt out! It taught me to stick with single 
> band quarter waves which will stand the abuse.
>
> It's surprising that nobody has mentioned the different requirements 
> of antenna systems for contesting or DXing. Stacked monobanders would 
> be great for beating the dx station pile-up; contesting is a different 
> game. Big gain comes at the expense of coverage. That's why it is a 
> little unfair to compare the performance of a beam, in one direction, 
> with an omnidirectional antenna. Yes, I know that's how gain is 
> measured and quoted, but it's not the whole story.
>
> Cheers,
>
> John GW4SKA.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barry" <w2up3 at verizon.net>
> To: "RTTY List" <rtty at contesting.com>
> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 7:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [RTTY] RTTY Contesting and Verticals
>
>
>> When I first set up my SO2R station, I had a pair of TH7s stacked.  To
>> minimize potential interactions, I put up a ground-mounted Hygain
>> vertical about 200 ft from the tower.  A dummy load worked better!
>>
>> I remember calling a KP4 on 15m and I got beat out by everyone, and I
>> was running high power.  I couldn't get through until nobody else was
>> calling.  Sooo, I put a third TH7 on the tower at 25 feet (yes, 25 feet)
>> fed separately from the stack.  I did A/B comparisons vs. the vertical,
>> and the average difference was 6 S-units.  After that experience, I
>> swore off (and at) verticals for the high bands.
>>
>> 73,
>> Barry W2UP
>>
>> Gedking at aol.com wrote:
>>> Stick that 2 el 40 at 120 ft and someplace in the world will always 
>>> be open.
>>> " quote Jamie N8TT"
>>> ED K8OT
>>>
>>>
>>> In a message dated 3/27/2009 12:06:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>>> ws7i at ewarg.org writes:
>>>
>>> Just  thought I would add some comments on Verticals.  I have used 
>>> butternuts
>>>  for some time in various configurations.  I started with it roof 
>>> mounted
>>> using the kit from butternut with about 10 additional radials.
>>>
>>> That  worked the best BTW.
>>>
>>> Later I ground mounted it and had rather  extensive radials as I 
>>> installed
>>> them prior to putting in a lawn.  I then  tried phasing two of the 
>>> butternuts
>>> but that never worked as well as a  2-element old Hygain yagi at 40 
>>> feet on 40
>>> meters.
>>>
>>> The best butternut I  have ever used was at Hal Blegens back in our 
>>> eary
>>> contest days. It was  mounted on top of his tower at just over 100 
>>> feet. Hard to
>>> believe some  of the stuff we did to try and get a single tower M/S 
>>> station
>>> going.
>>>
>>> That was one band opening and closing antenna and it worked on  all 
>>> bands
>>> 10-80 quite well.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [This E-mail  scanned for viruses by  ClamAV]
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> RTTY mailing  list
>>> RTTY at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty
>>>
>>>
>>> **************Check all of your email inboxes from anywhere on the 
>>> web. Try
>>> the new Email Toolbar now!
>>> (http://toolbar.aol.com/mail/download.html?ncid=txtlnkusdown00000027)
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> RTTY mailing list
>>> RTTY at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 8.5.278 / Virus Database: 270.11.30/2026 - Release Date: 
>>> 03/27/09 07:13:00
>>>
>>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Barry Kutner, W2UP             Newtown, PA
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> RTTY mailing list
>> RTTY at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty 
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
> Version: 8.5.278 / Virus Database: 270.11.30/2026 - Release Date: 03/27/09 07:13:00
>
>   

-- 

Barry Kutner, W2UP             Newtown, PA