[VHFcontesting] 1296 station improvement

[Zack Widup]

Hi Ed,

Just curious how the 10W level is limiting you. What ranges are you trying 
to get? Are you surrounded by buildings and trees? Do you live on a hill, 
or in a valley?  In town or out in the country? With an antenna only up
20-30 feet around obstructions, that could limit you far more than the 10 
watts.

You could get/build a bigger amp. Something with a couple 7289's would be 
pretty good.

But there is also something to be said about mast-mounted transverters. I 
do most of my 1296 operation portable from hilltops, and use a transverter 
mounted right under the antenna with a run of about a foot of UT-141 to 
the antenna. That minimizes coax losses on receive as well as transmit. I 
don't think I've failed to work anyone I could hear at the 10-watt level 
with that setup. I've routinely worked Milwaukee (~250 miles) with 10 
watts.

I'd definitely go with the mast-mounted preamp if I weren't going to use a 
mast-mounted transverter.

73, Zack W9SZ


On Mon, 20 Oct 2008, maded wrote:

> I recently joined an area 1.2GHz group that I am really enjoying, but my
> 10W station is limiting.
>
> I am new to 1296 and would like to upgrade my station. As many of you
> have years of experience with weak signals, I would appreciate your
> input.
>
> I am using the following on 1296:
> Radio: Icom IC-910H with 1296 module (10W)
> Cable: approximately 47 feet of 1/2" hardline with 10 feet of LMR 400
> around the rotator
> Antenna: Directive Systems 2325LY (25 el loop yagi) 17dBi mounted 10
> feet above a 2 1/2 story house
>
> I am considering a mast mounted preamp installed where the hardline
> joins the LMR400 and also a sequencer (with an amp to follow at a later
> date).
>
> Any recommendations?
> Would I be better off with SSB Electronics or Downeast Microwave (or
> maybe another brand)?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ed (W2SN)
>
>
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