What we need is a "Steppir" tower.
In the 1980's I operated at a station with stacked yagis. We could often
open 20M early with all three yagis connected. But as time went on the
propagation would change and our QSO rate would begin to drop. Switching
to just the top two would help, then to the bottom two, then just the top
antenna,
the middle one, and finally to just the bottom antenna as the propagation
changed
would keep the QSO rate up. Antenna height is definitely a factor.
Regardless
of the configuration we were able to work non-optimal hop stations. Unless
you are trying to build the ultimate contest antenna system one just has to
pick
a height and understand that some areas will take more effort to work than
others.
At my current QTH I had a short temporary tower with a tribander at about 27
feet.
It worked very well into the Carribean, Western Europe, and Western Africa
from the
East Coast. When I switched to a 100 foot tower with the tribander at 100.5
feet it
became much harder to work the Carribean and Western Europe. The antenna
is probably too high for the best paths to the Carribean and Western Europe
but it is
usable.
73, Larry W6NWS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stan Stockton" <stan@aqity.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>; <starrose444@aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] 45g Tower
> Bob,
>
> All this is just opinion:
>
> I suggest that you consider putting up one tower and making it about 85
> feet tall. There would be four fewer holes to dig, fill with anchors,
> concrete, etc. You would only need two sets of guy wires (same as what
> you were planning except all on one tower) and whatever you will put up
> will be overall better at that height than at 35 feet. You would have
> the option of antennas at lower heights either fixed in one direction or
> rotating with a side arm.
>
> Unless you are on top of a hill with a steep drop off near the tower,
> where an antenna may actually work better at 40 feet than at 80 feet,
> the elevation above sea level makes little difference except for its
> relation to surrounding area and line of sight communications. In other
> words someone on a little 100 foot hill surrounded by sea level is in a
> much better location than someone on flat land for miles in every
> direction at 2000 feet elevation.
>
> As far as the base is concerned I think 5 feet deep is way overkill.
> For a guyed tower, all you are trying to do is keep the thing from
> sinking. Check the source who said 5 feet is needed and see what they
> say about 3 feet versus 5 feet.
>
> Stan, K5GO
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <starrose444@aol.com>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 6:05 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] 45g Tower
>
>
>>
>> Again thanks for all the information about using a mid section for a
>> base.This is my first tower so I want to do it right.I have 8 10ft 45g
>> sections and one 45ag top section would like to make two towers.Each
>> tower will only be about 35-45 feet in height I am elevated at 1100
>> feet now on a very large farm.I was told the hole should be about 3x3
>> and 5 feet deep.They will not be aginst the house so I have two sets
>> of guy wires Iam thinking a set on each?Any information like how much
>> gravel in the hole grounding etc.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>> Bob
>> Kc8phb
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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