[UK-CONTEST] Antenna for SSB field day

[Chris G3SJJ]

  Dunno Alex and dunno why you would want to do it! Certainly cuts out instant band checking or changing. KISS is often the most efficient.

SJJ



On 10/08/2010 14:54, Alex GM3ZBE wrote:
> Chris, et al
> You reminded me of a question I've meant to ask for some time.  I.e. are
> you allowed to change aerials during the NFD contest?  Could I have more
> than one dipole and swop them as necessary during the contest.  Each
> antenna being a single element?  I'm talking about the restricted
> section of course.
> Alex 'ZBE
>
> Chris G3SJJ wrote:
>>    Rob, welcome to contesting!
>>
>> I suggest you look at the last few years results and reports to get a feel for your strategy - bands and times etc.
>>
>> As far as I am aware paralleled dipoles are classed multi element. Why not try the following which Dave G3ZQH and myself will be using.
>>
>> Two 50ft masts with an 84ft doublet strung between the two. Orientate the masts in a line approx 20/200 deg. This is an Extended Double Zepp for 20m,
>> giving broadside lobes  for Eu and US with gain plus some useful high angle on that band. On 40m you also get good broadside lobes. The RF sprays
>> around a bit on 10m and 15m!
>>
>> When 20m dies out and you want to go to 80m, quickly drop the antenna, connect a 44ft extension to each end and haul the antenna back, then stretch
>> the extensions out by adding some rope to each end to get them as least sloping as possible. As soon as dawn arrives and 80m propagation closes, take
>> the ends off and just use the EDZ for the rest of the time.
>>
>> A sophisticated variant would be to add a vacuum relay at of the two joints and bring a switching cable back to the shack. If you have a band decoder
>> eg Topten or Elecraft KRC2 you can make it auto switch when you change bands.
>>
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