[VHFcontesting] [VHF] Fixed antennas and indoor installations

[James Duffey]

Les - You can generate a map that has ham population by grid at this  
site:

< http://www.wm7d.net/azproj.shtml >

along with lots of other interesting maps.I also think that there is  
the capability to print out a similar map with VHF contest entrants by  
grid, but that data is prety old and may not reflect today's activity.

Looking at those two maps should help you choose a direction to point  
the antennas.

You can also calculate your path capability on various bands. Then use  
the simplistic troposcatter path loss curves in the propagation  
chapter of the Antenna Book to see what nominal distance you can cover  
with your path capability. Draw a circle around your QTH and see what  
of interest is in the circle. Point your antenna that direction.

If you need help with the path loss calculation or finding the  
troposcatter loss curves, let me know. - Duffey
On Jun 27, 2008, at 11:29 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:

> On the VHF Contesting Reflector, James Duffey, KK6MC posted some  
> interesting
> suggestions for an amateur who wanted to try VHF DXing, but was  
> going to be
> limited to indoor antennas. As you all know, this subject is near  
> and dear to
> my heart. (ha, ha)
>
> One suggestion James made was adding fixed long boom Yagi's pointed  
> towards
> major population centers to supplement shorter antennas that would  
> be mounted
> on rotors. This fits my own situation to a tee. While I've nearly  
> maxed out
> the length of antennas that can fit on my rotor stack in the largest  
> void, I
> have several other pockets in the attic that could support higher gain
> antennas in fixed directions.
>
> For this to work, I'd need to work out some sort of switching  
> arrangement,
> which introduces loss on all the antennas connected...so have to  
> think about
> that a bit.
>
> The real issue for me would be deciding where to point the antennas.  
> Contest
> scores are not my main goal, working new grids especially on 2  
> Meters and 432
> would be. My first thought would be generally Northeast and  
> Southeast, since
> there are quite a few guys active in North Carolina, and also in  
> Florida. To
> the west doesn't help me much unless an opening gets into  
> Texas...East should
> be good with Atlanta in the beamwidth, but there just doesn't seem  
> to be a lot
> of activity in that direction.
>
> Any suggestions on how to make this choice?
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> EM63nf
>
>
> Les Rayburn, director
> High Noon Film
> 100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
> Birmingham, AL 35216-3748
> 205.824.8930
> 205.824.8960 fax
> 205.253.4867 cell
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--
KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM