[TowerTalk] Smart antennas

[Jim Lux]

Or, one could run a 10 kW "active antenna tuner", on each of the 10 
elements in the array.

While the current regulatory model lets me have 1500 joules/second, I can't 
exactly distribute them as I see fit for other regulatory reasons. 30 odd 
years ago, the rules were changed from DC power to the final to PEP largely 
to adapt to the "new fangled" SSB.

I would suggest, as a starting point, that the DC/feedline power limit be 
increased, while keeping the nominal EIRP the same as it is.  That is, 
assume that currently, one could put up a 10 dBi antenna and feed 1500W to 
it, for 15 kW EIRP.  I could then put a -10 dBi compact loop sitting on the 
grass and ram 150 kW into it. (Granted, I could probably see the blurred 
electric meter wheel spinning by the glow from the antenna before the grass 
caught fire)

One would still have an incentive to improve one's antenna system; 
amplifiers aren't free, after all.  My model is more comparing the 5 dBi 
from an inefficent 4 square type array (which I could erect in my HOA 
controlled lot: flagpoles!) against the 8 dBi Yagi on a 100 foot 
tower.  You can run 1500W into your Yagi, I'd like to run 750W into each 
element...


At 02:59 PM 9/2/2003 -0700, Michael Tope wrote:
>Seems like an EIRP scheme would take away incentive
>to make ones antenna better. Why put up a 4-square to get
>5dB of extra TX gain, when you would have to derate your
>transmitter power by that same amount for a zero net gain.
>Right now the FCC gives you 1500 joules/second to work
>with. You are then free to distribute them across the heavens
>any way you see fit (in keeping with safety limits of course).
>If you want to spray them all in one direction with a high
>gain antenna or distribute them uniformly with a omni, you
>are free to do so. Other services have EIRP limits because
>they have frequency reuse concerns that we don't have
>(except for repeater service where we do have EIRP
>constraints).
>
>Sorry, Jim, but I like big transmitters AND big antennas :):)
>
>73 de Mike, W4EF..............................
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux at earthlink.net>
>To: <va3pl at cuic.ca>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 2:03 PM
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Smart antennas
>
> > more of that power into the dirt or the clouds overhead.  In pretty much
> > the rest of the radio world the licensing and power limits is in terms of
> > ERP.  Maybe we should push for the FCC to do the same for hams?  It's not
> > that different than how RF exposure is handled, or the limits on the 5 MHz
> > band.  You can either guarantee compliance by an antenna of known gain
> > (i.e. a dipole) and limited transmit power, or by analysis/measurement of
> > actual field strength.
> >
> > In reality, the rule requires use of the least power to communicate, and
> > from a theoretical standpoint, that's the radiated far field.  If you use
>a
> > 1000W transmitter and a dipole or a 100W transmitter and a 12 dBi
>directive
> > antenna, the field strength is the same.  Philosophically, I should be
>able
> > to allocate my resources how I see fit, subject to the radiated power
> > limit.. If I want to invest in big high gain antennas and small
> > transmitters or small antennas and big transmitters, that should be my
> > choice (subject to safety rules, etc.)
> >
> > Of course, there are those who run big antennas AND big transmitters who
> > may not agree.
> >
> > Jim, W6RMK
> > (http://home.earthlink.net/~w6rmk/antenna/phased/index.htm)
> >
> > At 03:19 PM 9/2/2003 -0400, VeeAthreePL wrote:
> > >There is interesting article by Martin Cooper in July 2003 issue of
> > >Scientific American pages 49 to 55. He is talking about Smart and
> > >Adaptive antennas. This basically is aimed at cell phones but who knows.
> > >Worth the reading.
> > >73 de Andy - VA3PL
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >
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> > >any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> > >
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> >
> > See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
>questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> >
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>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
>any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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