[Skimmertalk] Antennas for Skimmer radios?

[David Gilbert]

Yes ... that is exactly what we want from CW Skimmers.   We want to know 
who's on the air and whether they can be heard at a particular 
location.  It's up to everyone else to try to work them.

Besides, you're talking apples and oranges.  A receive antenna works 
well when it maximizes the signal/noise ratio at this end of the path.  
A transmit antenna works well when it maximizes the signal/noise ratio 
on the far end of the path.   Those are not at all the same things.

Dave   AB7E



On 12/23/2011 7:27 PM, Andrew O'Brien wrote:
>   I guess this brings up the question about the purpose of the skimmer
> antenna.  It seems to me that an active antenna such as the ones
> mentioned in this thread , receive better than the antenna to be used
>   when transmitting.  I always assumed that a station's receiving
>   skimmer antenna should be generally reciprocal to the performance of
>   the transmitting antenna.  This based on the the theory ...if you hear
>   'em, you can work 'em.  Super skimmer antennas churning out "spots"
>   for the world maybe useful , but is that what we want from skims ?
>
>   Andy K3UK
>
>> On Tue, Dec 20, 2011 at 3:31 PM, John Reilly<reillyjf at comcast.net>  wrote:
>>> I'm using a Pixel Magnetic Loop (RF Pro-1B) mounted at 10 ft; however,
>>> it is surrounded by 25 ft houses!  I'm planning to move my loop up to 25
>>> ft plus next Spring to see if getting it at or above the houses will
>>> improve performance.  I also have a Clifton Labs vertical, but it
>>> doesn't seem to perform as well as the mag loop.
>>>
>>> I also studied the N6TV stats and asked K3LR what they were using --
>>> vertical(s) (I assume they are active). I use a QS1R.
>>>    - 73, John, N0TA
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/20/2011 12:09 PM, H Lawrence Serra wrote:
>>>> Pete N4ZR suggested I put this out to the group:
>>>>
>>>> I would like to hear from skimmer ops on what ANT systems they are using for
>>>> their skimmers.
>>>>
>>>> I am in the SW corner of the US, on the wrong (west) side of close-by Mt.
>>>> Soledad and have roof space-limited ANTs. I use a PA0RDT active mini-whip ANT
>>>> about 5 ft above my roof for my SDR-IQ radio which feeds the skimmer. I was
>>>> surprised to see from N6TV's RBN stats that I have the lowest SNR average for
>>>> signals of reported RBN skimmers, and post only 1/5 the spots N6TV had and 1/10
>>>> the spots WA7LNW had from my part of the country.
>>>>
>>>> I have tried putting my 2-el Steppir yagi pointed 045T on the skimmer when I am
>>>> not contesting, and even that little extra gain results in more skimmer spots
>>>> from NA and EU. My plan now is to find a used A3 tri-bander that I can cut down
>>>> to a 2-el due to space limitations and because I want a broad beam width. I plan
>>>> to use a coupler to feed both the active mini-whip and the 2-el yagi to the
>>>> skimmer's feedline, so I don't have to mechanically switch ANTs when SkimScan
>>>> switches to the low bands at night.
>>>>
>>>> Anyway, I would be interested in what SDR or other radio you use, and what
>>>> ANT(s) you use for your skimmers.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Larry N6NC
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>>>>
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