[SCCC] 70 cm/23 cm Antenna Recommendations?

[Bruce Horn]

Reply to Steve & Marty:

First of all, I have no expectation of producing a highly competitive score, but would like to move from being only able to operate 6m in a VHF contest to making QSOs on 2m, 70cm and 23cm (optionally), while running low power.

My reference to a 150 ft coax run was meant to recognize that such a distance was impractical due to coax losses and that I would need to settle on roof-top mounted antennas. For reference the attenuation of 50ft of LMR600 at 432 MHz is 1.0 dB and at 1296 MHz is 1.8 dB, including connectors.

The stacked HO Loop solution is interesting, but I've always thought of that design as something one mounted on top of their car as a mobile/rover, rather than a base station antenna. Does anyone have experience using HO Loops as a base station antenna?

Regarding polarization, my question is what percentage of home stations (not rovers), operating on 2m, 70cm and 23cm, are horizontally polarized? The Diamond and Comet verticals that Marty referenced seem quite popular, so should I match polarization with a few rovers or many more home stations?

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

73 de Bruce, WA7BNM   (bhorn at hornucopia.com)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Woll" <n6vi at socal.rr.com>
To: "Bruce Horn" <bhorn at hornucopia.com>, "SCCC Reflector" <sccc at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 1:01:42 PM
Subject: RE: [SCCC] 70 cm/23 cm Antenna Recommendations?

Hi, Bruce.

Although Steve is correct as to preferred polarization, I have worked many
contests from home on 144, 432 and 1296 weak-signal modes using my
roof-mounted Diamond X-6000 triband vertical and have worked into San Diego
on all three bands and into Mexico on 144 and 432.  The antenna is broad
enough that the radios don't seem to care.    Another option would be single
(or, preferably, stacked) HO Loops.  Some rovers (those not crazy enough to
have stacked rotatable yagis on the roof like N6NB and  I do) also use those
for SSB while in motion.

73,

Marty N6VI



-----Original Message-----
From: SCCC [mailto:sccc-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Horn
Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 9:53 AM
To: SCCC Reflector
Subject: [SCCC] 70 cm/23 cm Antenna Recommendations?

Hi,

I've never operated on a band higher in frequency than 2m, but recently
purchased a Icom IC-9700, so I'm looking at antennas for the 70 cm and 23 cm
bands. It would require a coax run of 150 ft to connect rotatable antennas,
so I'm looking at vertical antennas that can be placed on the roof. However,
almost everything that covers 70 cm specifies a 440-450 MHz and doesn't seem
to cover 432. The Diamond X510NJ covers 428-442 MHz, but requires a special
order.

Any antenna recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

73 de Bruce, WA7BNM   (bhorn at hornucopia.com)
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