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[VHFcontesting] Compact VHF + Beams

To: "VHF Contesting Reflector" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Compact VHF + Beams
From: "Les Rayburn" <les@highnoonfilm.com>
Reply-to: Les Rayburn <les@highnoonfilm.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:07:19 -0500
List-post: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com">mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
I run both loops and Yagis in my attic, and while the loops are far easier, 
they don't match the performance of the Yagi's. I'd certainly vote for the 
Directive Systems "Rover" series of Yagis. The only modification that mine 
required was to move the "U-Bolt" to the true center of the antenna to shorten 
the turning radius. 

I had thought about the Par Electronics Maxxon's but went with a 3 element Yagi 
for 6 Meters instead. It just barely fits due to the element length, not the 
boom length, but it works very well. I've been able to work almost everyone 
that my nearby friend and neighbor does on 6, and he's running 7 elements at 75 
feet and 500 watts. As many have said, when the band is open, it's open! 

If you're interested in WSJT for 2 Meters, a smaller beam actually has been 
proven to work better than the bigger Yagis. The reason is that a 5 or 6 
element beam has a much wider beamwidth and "sees" more of the sky...this 
provides a larger number of potential "pings" to carry the signals. Optimum for 
WJST seems to be 6 elements. There was an article a while back in CQ VHF about 
tests done in NZ and AU on the subject. 

Indoor beams will never compete well with outdoor antennas, but they can be 
made to perform pretty darn well. 

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF



Les Rayburn, director
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216-3748 
205.824.8930
205.824.8960 fax
205.253.4867 cell
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