Topband: FCP model

ZR zr at jeremy.mv.com
Tue Jul 31 17:58:23 PDT 2012


Can we please stop this adolescent love fest and get back to the basics?

Does the FCP stand up to modeling to start with and how does it compare to 
various other 160 (or 80) verticals?

I for one have a hard time believing it works well when compared to an 
electrical 1/4 wave vertical, be it all vertical, top loaded with wires or 
installed as an L. And with enough elevated radials to mask the grounds 
effect. If Im wrong, so be it as it wont be a first time.

Postage stamp lot antennas have been touted since the beginning of ham radio 
when 160 was considered VHF and useless. Yet there were many who could make 
contacts just as many do now when the propagation gods cooperate. Im up to 
17 countries on 160 with 100 milliwatts and Im close to DXCC with 5W or 
less. Based upon honest signal reports when asked Id say even a 10dB loss in 
antenna radiation would not have stopped well over half of those contacts. 
Its even easier on 80, DXCC at 5W took a bit over 3 years.

The current group of experimenters on 600M have proven the 1920's results 
all over again, many times; even making trans Atlantic contacts with flea 
power and highly inefficient antennas.

So lets see what Tom and others with the tools will come up with.

Carl
KM1H



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "W0UCE" <w0uce at nc.rr.com>
To: <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>; "'TopBand'" <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 7:13 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: FCP model


> One aspect of the K2AV FCP is KISS.  However, experimenting with change of
> components and proven architecture should anyone opt to do so will produce
> unfavorable results.
>
> So... KISS and construct an FCP in the way it has been proven unless
> experimentation is the objective in which case the results will be diverse
> and directly related to variations one may choose to make.
>
> The FCP as designed with recommend components and it works and works well,
> which is the ultimate in deploying the KISS principal.
>
> Success with variations may well be much like a young lady who proclaims
> "I'm Sweet 16 and never been kissed." Those who vary may enjoy their 
> results
> but most likely not. Wanna build a better mousetrap? - Go for it. Wanna 
> put
> up a proven design then follow K2AV recommendations.  No harm in trying.
>
> 73,
> Jack
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: topband-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Jim Brown
> Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 6:45 PM
> To: 'TopBand'
> Subject: Re: Topband: FCP model
>
> On 7/31/2012 1:45 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>> Well, an inductor and a choke are TWO devices instead of one.
>>
>> We've all heard of KISS.
>
> Yes, BUT -- two cheap parts I can easily build instead of one expensive
> one that I have to buy.  An excellent  ( >5K ohms resistive) common mode
> choke to handle legal power can be built for about $5 (16 bifilar turns
> #12 THHN on a 2.4-in o.d. #31 core) and a suitable inductor wound with
> #10 THHN on a short length of 4-in PVC conduit will have a Q of at least
> 250 at 2 MHz, and costs about $2. And I don't have to buy a commercial
> product.
>
> I've wound and measured several such inductors using the standard
> equations (turns, diameter, winding length) in the ARRL Handbook and
> gotten inductance values within a few percent at 2 MHz, so you don't
> even need test equipment.
>
> Please don't view my comments as criticism, Guy.  You've done some great
> work here that is allowing PFG operation on 160M from small lots.
>
> Yes, some controlled tests would be great.  I'd be happy to help out if
> someone in  this area (N6RK?) wanted to set it up, and I'm certain that
> it wouldn't be difficult to recruit others if needed..
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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>
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