Topband: FCP

[Charlie Young]

Rick, N6PE wrote: > The other question is does the thing actually work in the real world?
 I installed an inverted L over an FCP for 160M and compared it to 3 other inverted L's over two elevated radials using RBN, real signal reports, and DX pileup busting.  In addition, I attempted to compare it with field strength measurements with a friend using a spectrum analyzer on a hilltop 5 miles from my hilltop.   All antennas were up simultaneously. During the field strength tests, I floated the radiators of the unused antennas.    In addition to my own antennas, I helped K8RRT commission an inverted L over FCP.  The FCP replaced a single 1/4 wave elevated radial, with which Tim worked 160 DXCC in two or three years.   At my place, an attempt was made to quantify the difference in performance between my FCP and a pair of inline elevated radials.  These are both compromise radial systems compared to the ideal or near ideal.  My attempt to quantify the performance difference was unsuccessful for two reasons.  First, I have towers and other antennas which are in close proximity to the L's, close enough that I suspect coupling is impacting the performance.  Second, due to my rugged terrain and steeply sloping ground, I think the antenna position on my hilltop relative to the ground slope is as important as any other factor in determining how an antenna works in a given direction.    I believe at my location the FCP is roughly equivalent to two full size 1/4 wave elevated inline radials, based on the RBN reports and other tests.  DX performance in pileups for the FCP seemed similar to 2 elevated radials, given where the antenna was mounted on the hill.   I had no trouble breaking any pileup, including  KH2, RI1ANF, VK6 and many EU stations., using the FCP antenna.  This is anecdotal evidence and does not prove anything scientifically, but I was unable given the circumstances to quantify the performance difference.  With the recent wind and snow storm, I have run out of time to do further testing.  My 1/4 wave elevated radial tree supported inverted L's have been very satisfactory for my use, and have resulted in Q's with  7O6T, TT8TT, NH8S this year and South Sudan last year.  I would like to compare these minimal elevated radials with antennas equipped with optimized radials, but this is not in the cards at my rock cliff location.  Bottom line, from my perspective, the FCP seems a viable alternative to two inline elevated radials if one does not have space for the full size radials.    Regarding K8RRT, Tim is having success this season in the relatively poor condx, especially since his time is limited due to a heavy work schedule.  He has busted many pileups with his tree mounted L over an FCP, including RI1ANF, NH8S etc.   A couple of days ago, Tim worked ZS1REC, one of only two NA stations to make it on that night to Raoul.  In terms of DX pileup success, Tim's FCP is working.  I realize this does not quantify or prove anything, but it is additional evidence the FCP does work.   How and why it works, I will defer to K2AV for explanation.   
It could be the FCP and two inline elevated radials are many db down from the ideal or near ideal ground system, I have no way to determine that with testing.  Given the simplicity of my setup, I am more than satisfied with the DX results achieved with the elevated radials and believe the FCP would generate similar results.  My location may have something to do with the results but if so it is not due to good ground conductivity, because my antennas are over thick sandstone.    It certainly seems the FCP is worth trying if one wants to work DX from a limited space location.   During the pre Stew, I did a lot of listening but attempted no Q's.   Consistently, K2AV had the strongest signal here in WV of any station I was hearing, including many big guns.  Not sure how much power Guy was running, but he was consistently over S9, at times up to 20 over, well above other stations in S meter reading.   This does not prove anything, but I offer the observation as another indication the FCP is worth considering for limited space.   I know the value of measurements and controlled tests but have no more time to spend on this project.  Thus, it is back to working DX with the status quo antennas.  I will leave it to the experts with more time, skill, equipment, and space than I have to prove or disprove in scientific terms the merits of various ground/radial systems.  73 Charlie N8RR