No subject

[charles lewis]

     I read with interest the web site comments on grounds for 160M.  Those 
     with limited space for a ground system or who cannot bury wires should 
     not despair of operating on 160M.  
     
     As S92SS in Sao Tome I had a very small yard, much of which was under 
     concrete.  After much hounding by the 160 meter crowd I gave it a try 
     and was successful in making many hundreds of contacts all around the 
     globe using around 350 watts and an antenna that most topbanders would 
     find laughable. The 1/4 wavelength radiator had only about a 35' 
     vertical run from the 6 1/2' high feed point and then took off in 
     various directions horizontally and vertically to make up the resonant 
     length. The ground system was only four 55' long wires bent to fit and 
     elevated on the average no more than 8'!! These were tied together and 
     resonated as a system with an inductor.  The feed was isolated with a 
     common mode choke, so this four wire system was definitely the only 
     directly connected ground reference.  I had access to a commercial 
     Potomac Instruments calibrated field intensity meter receiver and was 
     able to make meaningful measurements at a distance.  I don't recall 
     the actual figures, but I found the signal strength at one kilometer 
     to be respectable under the circumstances when compared with estimates 
     of what a 90 degree commercial broadcast style antenna should have 
     given.
     
     I must admit that one major advantage I had over the average topbander 
     was  L O C A T I O N!
     
     
     Charles Lewis
     ex S92SS & A22AA
     Now SV0LM in NE Greece



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