The advantages of Vertical polarization under these circumstances is a given,
but don't overlook the class of antennas that Sevick classified as "SCV" A
"Self Contained Vertical" can be as simple as a corner-fed Delta loop, or a
"Double L" Using the tower as a high support for a loop sounds easier than
installing a radial field. NCJ did a three-part series a few years back. I
guess a lot depends upon the guarantee of future access ? N2KW
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Clive GM3POI" <gm3poi2@btinternet.com>
To: "'DALE LONG'" <dale.long@prodigy.net>, "'Milt -- N5IA'"
<n5ia@zia-connection.com>, <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: AM broadcast tower and 160m dxpedition
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 22:15:06 -0000
Hi Dale,
My only main point is that whatever antenna you end up using and with the
height you have available you the most important task will lie with the
operator. Without someone who can handle the pileups (even on 160m) and know
when to listen to other than local stations, you may well not give the
opportunity its deserves, justice.
But I hope it all goes well and this is all in the planning apart from the
actual antenna. Remember all antennas work. 73 Clive GM3POI
-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of DALE LONG
Sent: 10 June 2014 18:58
To: Milt -- N5IA; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: AM broadcast tower and 160m dxpedition
Hi Milt:
This is not a big dxpedtion like VP6DX! We do not have a dxpedition
webpage. We will use LOTW but we will not have real-time logging.
For many years I have been involved in mission work to build radio stations
in Haiti with an organization called Radio Lumiere. This is a Haitian
nationally-run organization (a good thing not often enough found in
developing countries where too often funding decisions are made by large
NGOs).
We have engineers and technical folks from USA and Germany who provide
technical assistance and radio equipment. About once a year we go to Haiti
and build a new FM station with 100ft tower. This year our project is to
build an AM station. The two amateur groups are tasked with erecting the
240 foot AM tower. Then we get to play with it. This is a great
opportunity, and is not often offered to amateurs. The tower would be
erected by the group who is going in November for CQWW. The 160m dxpedition
should arrive to find a big tower, but lacking radials with some kind of
160m antenna. Improving it for 160m would be our project. Our 160m
efforts will be not of much practical use for the radio network, but
necessary for topband.
It is interesting to note (for some of the AM broadcast engineers in this
group) that the people in Haiti (who dont have television and online news)
still find AM to be an important communication vehicle.
We do have a big opportunity. Many broadcast engineers do not have a high
opinion of amateur radio operators and their abilities. And they do not
often offer to allow an amateur group the use of their broadcast tower. But
in this case the amateur community is providing the tower and the expertise
to put it up. In return, we are allowed to use it. We plan to raise the
tower in late November and have a small team to operate in the CQWW. I and
other amateurs plan to stay and operate the ARRL 160m contest. We have a
decent place to stay near the airport, and not far to the site. We will
have a generator to ensure that we have power.
The location is a salt marsh right on the ocean. We own the 9-acre plot.
Although I have used beverages in other dxpeditions, I think that beverages
would be of little value in the marshy area. (when I last visited the site
the tower base and tuning house were on dry land and historically stay dry.)
But part of the radial field would be in the marsh. We would have some
local workers to provide assistance with radial installation.
What we will have available is simply a tall broadcast tower. It will be
top-loaded to bring it close to the design frequency of 660 Khz. We are
still seeking a bottom insulator for the broadcast tower.
As far as 160m operation is concerned, we could tune the tower with
broadcast tuning network, but I agree with Dado and others that it may not
be as good as a sloping dipole. (If we have opportunity we will try both.)
If you would like to join us you would be most welcome. We need some 160
guys, especially to build some kind of listening antenna for a site with
high ground conductivity.
73
Dale - N3BNA
P.S. in addition to topband activities, I would note that all the ham radio
stations in Haiti are operating with low or compromised antennas. On the
higher bands we should be able to contact areas of the world that do not
often have opportunity to contact Haiti. And as it happens many of our
first group are well-known VHF contesters. So you may find us on 6m when our
work is finished.
>________________________________
> From: Milt -- N5IA <n5ia@zia-connection.com>
>To: DALE LONG <dale.long@prodigy.net>
>Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 11:28 AM
>Subject: Re: Topband: AM broadcast tower and 160m dxpedition
>
>
>Dale,
>
>Do you have a web page of the DXpedition that spells out the basics?
>
>Interested. In particular, what are your plans for 160 Meters, my
>specialty?
>
>de Milt, N5IA -- XZ1N, XZ0A, VP6DX
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: DALE LONG
>Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 6:25 AM
>To: Dragoslav Balaban ; 'Carl' ; Gary@ka1j.com ; Topband@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: Topband: AM broadcast tower and 160m dxpedition
>
>Hi Dado:
>
>I agree with you. Thanks to advice from AA1K, I built a sloping dipole at
>200 feet for 80m in HH7-land. I was really loud into EU and USA with only
a
>borrowed TS-50.
>
>We are still looking for operators for the HH2 160m dxpedition Dec1-Dec8.
>
>73
>
>Dale - N3BNA
>
>
>
>
>-----
>No virus found in this message.
>Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3955/7652 - Release Date: 06/09/14
>
>
>
>
>
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