Topband: Response to W8JI's comments about using a K2AV foldedcounterpoise at VK6VZ

[Wes Attaway (N5WA)]

I think that as long as we can agree that just because someone thinks a
particular antenna works better than some other antenna they have had, and
no rigorous testing under scientifically controlled conditions has been
done, and that the opinion is just an opinion and nothing more, then we will
all be OK.

Jim is correct that all antennas are some sort of compromise and if you are
happy with an antenna under your particular conditions then that is fine.

Tom is obviously correct in saying that you can't infer much about claims of
performance unless you have some good test data to back up the claims.

A good operator can work more DX with a so-so antenna than a poor operator
can.  Does that make the antenna "better" in the good operator's location?
If you are on a much sought after small Pacific atoll with a crappy antenna
you are still going to make more contacts than you would sitting in Caddo
Parish in North Louisiana with the same antenna.  Does that make the antenna
"better" than some other antenna out on the island?  As Tom points out, the
answer is only determined by serious testing.

Most hams aren't going to go to the time and trouble of doing serious
testing, for a lot of reasons.  However, some will do it and the results are
usually enlightening.  Serious test results usually reveal a lot of
unexpected results.  Then again, when you have to replicate the test results
antenna in some other location you may have a problem, unless you do more
testing at the new location (nearby towers, wires, trees, hills, stone
walls, metal buildings, etc).

As an aside ....One thing I have always told young hams is to just quickly
put up the best antenna you can at the beginning and get on the air.  If you
diddle around forever wondering whether this or that antenna will work then
you won't be on the air having some fun.  

There is both a technical and a practical side to this whole discussion and
I think Jim and Tom are each worth paying attention to.


----------------- Wes Attaway (N5WA) ------------------- 
1138 Waters Edge Circle, Shreveport, LA 71106 
    318-797-4972 (Office) - 318-393-3289 (Cell) 
        Computer Consulting and Forensics 
-------------- EnCase Certified Examiner --------------- 

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tom W8JI
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 4:57 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Response to W8JI's comments about using a K2AV
foldedcounterpoise at VK6VZ

> is a compromise.  It's sad that some cannot see that forest for the trees.

> :)
>
> 73, Jim K9YC


Comments like that are expected, but are totally out of place in technical 
discussions. No one said the antenna does not work or cannot work, only that

some of the claims obviously reach far beyond what can be determined.

An experiment without some reasonable reality check isn't advancing the 
state of art, it is advancing the state of graffiti.

73 Tom 

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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK