Topband: One acre arrays

[Bill Tippett]

From: kr7o at vhfdx.com
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:59:23 -0700
Subject: Re: Topband: One acre arrays

Thanks for the replies so far,

Aside from a powerline noise issue that popped up last winter (that I
am trying to get resolved), I can normally far out hear my transmit
abilities.  I currently run 5-600w and find it frustrating to have
Europeans and other DX CQ in my face when they are several S-units
above the noise.  Prior to the powerline issue, I could see little
reason for an RX antenna (except to frustrate me more).  I am in a
fairly quiet semi-rural location.  I could go to legal limit, but a
vertical array is cheaper and I was always taught to focus on antennas
first.  Maybe that rule doesn't apply to Topband.  I can hear them.

I am on 2.25 acres and the house/garden is in the middle .25 acre so
beverages are not practical.  I do have room in the front acre for
small RX antennas (K9AY, RX 4-square, etc), but as much as I like
antennas, I prefer not to have them in the front yard (even if it is
an acre), so whatever is there needs to have low visual impact.  I
already have the antenna materials, so the cost is minimal (labor,
coax and control box), compared to the cost for a larger amp.
Currently running an inverted-L with 50' vertical section and 32 full
length radials.

73, Robert KR7O/YB2ARO, DM07ba/OI52ee  (ex.  N7STU)
kr7o at vhfdx.com

www.vhfdx.com (KR7O/YB2ARO homepages)