[VHFcontesting] 222SprngSprnt W9SZ Single Op QRP

[Zack Widup]

It is a homebrew 8 element Yagi. I have been using it for over 10 years
(probably more like 15) with good results. I only use it on portable
operations. There is no oxidation on the aluminum elements. The elements
are un-insulated and mounted through the 1" square aluminum boom body. I
put them on the antenna when I am getting set up and take them off when I
disassemble for transportation.

73, Zack W9SZ

On Wed, Apr 14, 2021 at 10:51 AM Dave Olean <k1whs at metrocast.net> wrote:

> Hi Zack,
>
> What kind of beam is it? The old CC yagis 11 el etc. all used plated #10
> hardware. The mounting hole was 0.191" or so. The element was 0.187
> drawn aluminum, so it was possible for the drilled hole to split the
> element in half. Continuity was maintained by the larger swedged piece
> over the elemnent in the middle. Oxidation over the years can cause the
> connection to fail and the yagi quits working properly, but it still
> looks OK.  The newer yagis with stainless hardware used a smaller hole
> and #8 hardware and usually do not have this problem.
>
> Dave K1WHS
>
> On 4/14/2021 10:35 AM, Zack Widup wrote:
> >                      222 MHz Spring Sprint - 2020
> >
> > Call: W9SZ
> > Operator(s): W9SZ
> > Station: W9SZ
> >
> > Class: Single Op QRP
> > QTH: IL
> > Operating Time (hrs): 2.0
> >
> > Summary:
> > Total:  QSOs = 3  Mults = 3  Total Score = 9
> >
> > Club: Society of Midwest Contesters
> >
> > Comments:
> >
> > I operated portable from a nearby hill in EN50ue. I really expected to
> make
> > more QSO's than I did. The stations I worked seemed to hear me OK but a
> lot
> > of stations couldn't even hear me.
> >
> > I heard several of the Chicago Rovers and they were all very weak at my
> > end. None of them ever heard me.
> >
> > So I ended up with 3 QSO's in 2 hours of operating.
> >
> > I wonder if I have antenna problems? I expected better than what I heard.
> > Either conditions were just lousy, or there is something wrong with the
> > beam. I noticed when rotating it that it didn't seem to act like the
> beam I
> > have been using for years. No directivity. But it's the same antenna. I'm
> > going to do some tests with it later.
> >
> > 73, Zack W9SZ
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>