[TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic contests. Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 18

[Al Kozakiewicz]

Using my completely anecdotal, un-analyzed and un-modeled experience, a 16 foot high inverted v powered by 1500 watts allows me to work any 80m station I can hear during November Sweepstakes from my QTH in NNY.  This includes sections as far away as SCV and WWA as well as NH, ME, WPA, NNJ and OH. For all I know, I'm effectively running QRP at some of those distances, but for the 2 hours of effort it took me to measure 120 some feet of wire, run a coax and screw an eyelet into the fascia at the roof peak, it was worth it.

Al
AB2ZY


________________________________________
From: Kelly Taylor <ve4xt at mymts.net>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 12:31 PM
To: Stephen Davis
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com; Al Kozakiewicz; Jim Brown
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic contests. Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 18

No arguing with results, however, I would point out that your 400 mile radius will mean quite a different QSO count in a high-density amateur region such as W1 than in other areas. A 400-mile radius from Carlisle covers quite a few more hams than a 400-mile radius from Toronto, for instance. Plus, you’re getting some help from the inverse square law, which means any inefficiency is less important for 400-mile trips than for 2,000-mile trips.

If your signal is raining down on a lot of amateurs, you’ll work a lot of them. But 400 miles just barely gets you from one end of North Dakota to the other. Depending on where in Ontario the OP is located, 400 miles may not be enough to get into the high-density regions, and even then, precludes the 2,168-mile trip from Toronto to LA.

73, kelly
ve4xt


> On Oct 12, 2015, at 11:15 AM, Stephen Davis <sdavis at davisrf.com> wrote:
>
>  I was indicating what my actual results are, regardless  of what software indicates.   Also, if I had looked at software first, I might still have done the NIVIS based on other practical experience noted by others in the research I did. Lastly, without software or others' experience, I still would have tried because my high water table (in the ground) is 2 - 2.5  ft below grade for a few months in late winter to spring, and otherwise right about 5.5 ft below grade (tested when required by town for building an addition, we are on wells and septics thus the requirement.)  I only wish I had a way to add salt to the water  HI.
> Hey, it works well for me, maybe not well for others and I don't disagree with Jim's assessment of the software results.  And again, it is so easy to erect that maybe worth a try where you are.
>
> Steve    K1PEK
>
>
>
> On Oct 12, 2015, at 12:00 PM, towertalk-request at contesting.com wrote:
>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>  1. Re: Omnidirectional antenna for domestic contests. TowerTalk
>>     Digest, Vol 154, Issue 16 (Al Kozakiewicz)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:15:42 +0000
>> From: Al Kozakiewicz <akozak at hourglass.com>
>> To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic
>>      contests. TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 16
>> Message-ID: <1444659342663.92755 at hourglass.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> I'll see your argumentum ab auctoritate and raise you a post hoc ergo propter hoc and a misleading vividness.
>>
>> Inefficient wasn't the criteria.  Omnidirectionality was.  I have an 80 meter inverted V hung from the peak of a one story segment of my house. The peak is maybe at 16 or 20 feet.
>>
>> Compared to my very narrow banded vertical, it does quite well during November Sweepstakes, which is the only time it is used.  The horrific loss makes it quite broad banded which I compensate for by running 1500 watts 8-)
>>
>> I'd call the results "good" if by results we're talking about QSOs in a contest. On the other hand, if by results you mean ERP at various radiation angles, probably not so much.
>>
>> Al
>> AB2ZY
>> ________________________________________
>> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2015 4:08 PM
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic contests. TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 16
>>
>> On Sun,10/11/2015 12:06 PM, Stephen Davis wrote:
>>> A very easy to put up, with good results to a distance of 400 miles (at least from here in MA) , omni directional , is a NIVIS.
>>
>> This is VERY wrong. See http://k9yc.com/VertOrHorizontal-Slides.pdf  The
>> major characteristic of the very low dipole you describe is poor
>> efficiency at all vertical angles. The polar plot done by modeling
>> software makes it LOOK like its good at high angles, but it isn't --
>> most of the TX power is lost in the earth.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>
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