[SECC] Antennas & SS

[Ralph Bates K1ZZI]

Excellent suggestions from K9AY and others about SS and antennas got me to thinking a new approach....  First my setup.  I've been busy all summer setting up a completely new station with a new crank up tower and antennas.  On the tower I have a TH7 tri-band and a 3 element 40M Telrex yagi.  For my wire antennas I put up an 80M Right Angle delta loop that Hal, N4GG modeled for me.   I used a 1:1 balun and installed it 1/4 wavelength down from the apex or 12% up from the base leg.  The base is nearly 30' above ground.  For an Equilateral Triangle delta loop the feed point changes slightly when the apex angle decreases and slides up to about 17.5% as previously pointed out.  This antenna performs excellent and also works good on 40M.  More interesting info on Delta Loops can be found here: http://www.cebik.com/scv/scv2.html  For 160M, I put up a 1/2 wave V with the apex at 90' and ends slope to about 50'.  "IF" I hear 'em with ALL the noise, I work 'em....but noise is a big problem and I need a much better receiving antenna on 160M and possibly 80M for contesting.  Maybe a K9AY Loop?

Gary's info on QRP got me thinking down a new path.  I never really gave any consideration or thought to operating QRP in a contest.  "IF" 40M ends up being a key band, I'm thinking QRP and a 3 element 40M yagi might work pretty good for me in this category.  The 80M delta loop can be used as a second antenna on 40M to catch some Q's and save some rotor turning.  I'm undecided about this but I think QRP for my situation maybe a good plan....?  It's certainly an option that didn't occur to me.   Thanks Gary... good stuff.

73,
Ralph - K1ZZI