Interesting idea. I can just see going into some store and asking for 150
pounds of copper sulfate to help my antenna work better. Bet the ARB would
love that too.
But, I have been told to put lime around the periphery of the antenna which
should keep the snakes out 'cuz they don't like to rub their sensitive tummies
over the lime. If that doesn't work, I guess I can always use the lime as a
marker for base paths so I know where the radials are. But, that wud probably
help the ARB find my hidden antenna...
73,
Dennis, K2SX
-----Original Message-----
>From: Carlton and/or Lana Floyd <w4ctk at farmerstel.com>
>Sent: Aug 22, 2007 10:26 PM
>To: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net>, Dennis McAlpine <dbmcalpine at
>earthlink.net>
>Cc: secc <secc at contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [SECC] Antenna improvements (Was: NAQP)
>
>I once enhanced the performance of a Moseley vertical by strewing 150 pounds
>of copper sulfate around it...gave the grass an interesting color, too. The
>XYL did not appreciate it much.
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Bill Coleman" <aa4lr at arrl.net>
>To: "Dennis McAlpine" <dbmcalpine at earthlink.net>
>Cc: "secc" <secc at contesting.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:22 PM
>Subject: [SECC] Antenna improvements (Was: NAQP)
>
>
>>
>> On Aug 22, 2007, at 11:22 AM, Dennis McAlpine wrote:
>>
>>> In this QTH, I currently have just a Butternut vertical mounted
>>> five feet above ground. As soon as the snakes go to sleep for the
>>> winter, I will raise it to 10' and do a better job with the
>>> placement of the tuned radials.
>>
>> Why do you want to raise the vertical? on 80m / 160m, the five feet
>> likely won't make much difference. The key to verticals seems to be
>> the radial field. If you can put down a bunch of ground-mounted
>> radials, they should work better than a few elevated radials.
>>
>> I've had good success with a shunt-fed 15m tall tower with 29 ground-
>> mounted radials. On 160m, it isn't even 1/10 wave-length tall. And
>> the matching network can't handle more than 100 watts. It works
>> better than the 80m dipole at 10m high. On 80m, it's more of a wash.
>> The dipole usually works better just after sunset and sunrise, the
>> vertical much better during the darker part of the night.
>>
>>> That brings me to power. With my current inefficient vertical, it
>>> makes a big difference if I run a kw or 100 watts. I am actually
>>> reasonably loud with a kw but many will not hear me barefoot and
>>> when it comes to keeping a run freq, forget it.
>>
>> Efficiency is the key. Regardless of power, a more efficient antenna
>> will work better than an inefficient one.
>>
>>> So, if you hear a weak K2 calling you in NAQP or SS, don't turn
>>> you big 3 element SteppIR up north; look towards SC. And,
>>> remember, I need SC as a mult too.
>>
>> From where I sit, SC and NY are pretty much the same direction. I
>> would welcome SC on 20-10m, though. I need those band-states for 5BWAS.
>>
>> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
>> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
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