[UK-CONTEST] Top Band Antenna

[G4MKP]

Ok, after several replies decision made was to use the existing Inverted L.
I formed a coil wound on 120mm diameter/25cm long foul waste pipe. The coil
consisted of 30 turns of 14SWG flexweave, tapped at turn no 2, connected to
the existing inverted L and to the coax. My antenna analyser shows an
impedance of 37 Ohms at 1.82MHz and an SWR of 1.9:1. I used a jump lead to
switch between 80/160m. 

This was a bit quick and dirty but the results last night at around 2100Z
were quite encouraging. I worked DL, OH, LY I and YO. All reported 599
(whatever that means nowadays).

I was surprised at the level of QRN on top band at my location (Solihull,
IO92GF) but I guess that it might be normal. 

Did the exercise meet its objective? I think so since I was able to make
easy copy of N, Central, E and SE Europe. This should see me ok for top band
contesting and if I can knock off 50-100 Q's over a weekend using SO2VFOs
during a contest I would be delighted.

Cheers,

Terry
G4MKP 



-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] För G4MKP
Skickat: den 3 december 2008 14:47
Till: UK-Contest at contesting.com
Ämne: [UK-CONTEST] Top Band Antenna

Top Band Antenna

 

Whilst I turned in a respectable score for CQWW CW I don't have a top band
antenna and consequently missed many mults. I have several books on antennas
and have tried mostly horizontal efforts that haven't really cut it. I would
be interested in any suggestions for 'reasonable' size antennas that will at
least make all EU zones and countries. I would of course like to hit the 3
pointers in the US but realise the limitations of my small plot. In nearly
30 years of operating I doubt that I have more than 50 Q's in the log for
160m.

 

I currently use an inverted L for 80m with 6 ground radials and this works
very well with over 500 Q's in the bag on this band alone during CQWW. My
garden is approx 15m deep and 25m wide. I would prefer to make my own rather
than pay through the nose for something that may not be suitable once the
box is opened and the chance of a refund is gone. I wouldn't want any
vertical antenna to exceed 10m in height.

 

The 160m requirement is only for contesting - in fact all of my antennas are
used just for contesting apart from the odd juicy bit of dx. I would like to
be able to use maximum permitted power and work SO2VFO which could be any
combinations of bands but I guess that 160-80 or 160/40 are the likeliest
combinations.

 

I have a reasonably well equipped workshop that includes an antenna
analyser. However, I am not a craftsman so nothing too complicated.

 

Ideas please?

 

 

_______________________________________________
UK-Contest mailing list
UK-Contest at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.13/1826 - Release Date: 2008-12-03
09:34