In a message dated 98-03-03 07:37:41 EST, VE3CSK writes:
<< Anyone else got tales of great accomplishment on 160 to share? >>
On the mobile on 160 note:
Being a little turned off by the constant frequency Hogs - CQers and "window
operators" in 160 m CQ SSB contest, and challenged by previous note from K5NA
(not able to make mobile QSOs in the contest), I wanted to see how it is to
work people with shorty antenna and a battery powered rig.
Wanted to get feeling on ballpark signal levels and range. In a hurry I
used my Hustler RM-75 resonator (on rear fender mounted mast), attached a
piece of wire from the point above the resonator where flexible sliding whip
starts, run a piece of wire towards the front of my radiomobile - the 72 Buick
LeSabre. MFJ antenna analyzer showed resonance around 1880. Made a quick call
to experimenters from Vermont, and they came back with "preety good signal
from mobile". Hmmmm. Can't drag the wire behind me while driving, so I put up
bracket and another Hustler mast on the front bumper, tied the wire end with
nylon string (insulator too) to the top. That resonated around 1890. When I
slid the front end of wire down to about 10" off the hood, resonant frequency
went down to 1820. (Great! That thing tunable!) Impedance was about 20 ohm,
added matching coil with aligator clip accross the feedpoint, got 50 ohms and
1:1 SWR for about 12 kHz. Good enough for contesting?
Fired up as N2EE/m Friday night in the QRM saturated contest jungle. Made
few calls and got just about averybody to come back. This is fun!! Stayed on
for couple of hours, tried CQ - VE1ZZ found me, tried to get something from
the window - managed to get P40K. At this point I figured I better quit, or I
will deplete the battery. Felt like my first contest again! Gotta improve the
efficiency of the coil (RM75 too lossy) and "streamline" the installation. Rig
used was IC-706, Metron amp abt 300W, IBM Thinkpad used for logging. Worked
few guys while driving too!
Now I have to work on "reel-out - reel-in tow beverage" (maybe with little
parachute to keep the end up in the air?), just need big sign: "Do not
tailgate" - for drivers behind me, not the contest operators. What a way to
get out and do some contesting in antenna restricted developments!
I will do the same for 80 m, and this completes my gearing up the mobile
for low band site surveying for that ultimate contest QTH. While doing that, I
might getting excited about chasing 160/m DXCC.
Thanks to all who strained their beverages to hear me, I should be back
with better /m signal next time, maybe I will drive to ocean shore, see what
that would do.
CU and don't laugh when you hear me screaming "mobile" on 160!
Yuri VE3BMV, K3BU/m, BU/m, BUm bum
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