[VHFcontesting] US Antenna Manufacturer

[Les Rayburn]

It is not my intention to hijack an email discussion intended for weak-signal VHF operating and contesting. 

Since the heylcon days of commercially-made FM antennas, the band itself has changed considerably. The FCC relaxed their rules to allow for a massive influx of LPFM stations, and then low powered translators. In most parts of the country now, “clear” frequencies without a single local station are rare in the United States.

This places a premium on an antenna’s ability to separate stations, and maintain a high F/B ratio. 

The other change to the band is rising EMI noise levels. Switching power supplies, and other noise sources require much more care in the siteing of an antenna to avoid noise. Low-noise feed points such as the LFA would also be desireable. 

Ideally, I’d love to find a manufacturer to not only build a high-performance FM antenna, but also to revisit the design of antennas for this band. 





73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
les at highnoonfilm.com <mailto:les at highnoonfilm.com>
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf

NRC & IRCA Courtesy Program Committee Chairman
Member WTFDA, MWC

Perseus SDR,  AirSpy + Discovery, SDRPlay RSP Duo, Sony XDR-F1HD [XDR Guy Modified], Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Kitz Technologies KT-501 Pre-amps, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip. 

“Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”