In so far as I typically take pruning shears with me on my outings in case I
need to remove tree branches encroaching into access road right of ways I don't
see myself mounting masts and antennas beyond a few mobile whips on my 4x4
anytime soon. Repeated setups and tear downs are part my roving reality.
I'll doubt I will ever win any contests but it fun to get on the air and an
LPDA does have a place in my collection of antennas along with my collection of
yagis with 15 foot plus booms.
73
Mark S
VE7AFZ
mark@alignedsolutions.com
604 762 4099
> On Sep 14, 2017, at 2:21 PM, K7XC Tim Marek <k7xcnv1@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> A LPDA is a compromise antenna at best. On top of that I don't think their
> made to use on a full-time Rover. That is alot of money for a compromised
> solution.
>
> The real question is are you willing to trade off convenience vs gain
> during your ROVER trip.
>
> When I was a competitive ROVER I built a heavy duty frame in the front of
> the bed of either my F150 or Ranger Trucks out of 1/4 inch thick 2" wide
> Aluminum Angle then mounted Heavy Duty Thick Wall Mil Surplus Aluminum Mast
> on each side to hold yagis on one side and omni loops on the other. They
> were always in place while driving. Use heavy duty mufler clamps with
> NYLOCK nuts to make sure nothing rattles loose while on the road. Th use of
> NYLOCK nuts everywhere is highly encouraged.
>
> In the middle was a third mast on a pivot base that allowed me to install a
> guyed 30ft mast with a 6M Yagi and rotor while guyed to the four corners of
> the truck. Each bumper has a heavy duty eye bolt in place for just such a
> purpose. This let me do a quickie mountaintop portable operation and leave
> the tower trailer at home. It also allowed more antennas like a 1296 looper
> on those few times I had it along.
>
> In the cab mounted on the front of the seat I had 3 coax switches for
> changing between 2, 222, and 432 loops or yagi's while driving while 6
> Meters best antenna was a KB6KQ loop mounted to mast secured to one of the
> rear corners of the bed I NEVER setup additional antennas EVER as TIME is
> your enemy when contesting, it finite and precious so dont waist it doing
> multiple setups and tear downs.
>
> To Me the Cost, Gain, and Pattern of a LPDA makes it a no brainer... My
> answer is NO! Use real yagi antennas. One thing I always did was make my
> own for pennies on the dollar out of quality materials easily obtained from
> Texas Towers and shipped to your door. 10ft long booms are your goal after
> all this is a ROVER and you maximize everything you can, within reason.
>
> Another key tip to using Yagis while driving down the road, REMOVE ALL THE
> REFLECTORS... This will sacrifice little gain but give you a nice lobe off
> the back that is better than stacked loops and will get you contacts
> quicker yet not require you stop and turn the vehicle the other direction.
>
>
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