[VHFcontesting] rover antenna question

[frank bechdoldt]

I will take it that you are starting out in the rover arena.
 
During my first rover run I used a dual band arrow yagi.  I just turned the yagi 90 degrees when I switched bands.  This antenna breaks down easy.  This antenna breaks apart easily under vibrations and I would only use it if you were parked and not mount it for a whole contest under a wind load.
 
Now if you want to get into roving for the long haul, start with two separate yagis.   I use vertically a stacked pair of M2 3 element antennas.  I dropped back to this after I used an 11 element beam or once used stacked 11 element beams.  The issue here is that you gt good gain by compressing the signal to the horizon on a wider path so that you can hear more stations.  If you are starting out, you might go with up to 5 elements with the intention of stacking them later.
 
On 432 I have a stacked pair of elk log periodics that have completed 300 mile ssb QSOs but with 175 watts.  I bet I would of made the same qsos with  just 35 watts.
 
Hams being the cheap people they are both of these stack systems can be a multi-use antenna.  If you offset the 2 beams you can have circular polarization for the sats.   This would be good for activating rare grids with low power amplified by the beams and the beam width will be big enough for error or less arm strong action when portable. 
 
I also use the elk 222 LPDA.
 
As for cubicals, make your own, my experience with Cubix proved to be crap.  They might be good on a tower and not handled much.
 
Tennedyne owns cubex, and the customer service I got from that guy prohibits me from buying their antenna. However he has a good reputation on other beams.
 
Cushcraft makes a LPDA,  A guy at HRO uses one and I can’t hear him 60 miles away.  Maybe he’s in a hole.
 
Of course loops are good for 100-200 miles or much longer under good conditions.  I have worked 1000 miles on a m2 2 meter  loop and 10 watts in an opening.
 
For 6 meters I use both a m2 loop and a par 6 meter moxon with slightly better results with the moxon, however the moxon requires more TLC.  The Moxon excels in an opening.
 
KB6QK loops are the best, however he has passed and someone needs to buy the business from his XYL, they were the best antennas. They were bullet/ tree limb proof.
 
 
 
 
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