[2m] how to make the most of 2 meters

[Bob Macklin]

The type of antenna depends on how you want to operate.

If your interest is in DX, then the horizontal Yagi on a rotor is the proper 
choice.

If your interest is casual local operation then a vertical ground plane is 
the better choice.

If your interest in 2M DX get a SSB rig. You will hear weak signals on a SSB 
receiver you will not hear on a FM receiver.

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa.
"Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry" <jerrybosak at pennswoods.net>
To: <2m at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 7:45 AM
Subject: [2m] how to make the most of 2 meters


>I was reading the other members posts and had a couple of comments I would 
>like to inject.
> 2 M horizontal vs 2M vertical - there really isn't much of a difference 
> when working FM, due to the mismatch effect locally - and because the 
> polarity does not effect it much working dx other then the fact that 
> horizontal is quieter.
> Mostly it is just easier to mount the antenna and turn it when it is 
> horizontal, not as much wind loading on the rotor and mast.
>
> When working any mode - bigger is always better when it comes to 
> antenna's.
> If you can find a 12 - 18 element antenna for two meters - buy it!
>
> The other mention was about using a pre amplifier.
>
> First we start with the lowest loss coax we can get.
> Hardline if we can afford it, old TV cable cast off hardline if we can 
> aquire it, or LMR 400 / Belden 9913F7 for the rotor portion....
>
> The other part is to get the antenna up as high as we can get it.
> A pre amplifier on VHF frequencies - isn't always a necessity, and can add 
> expense to the equasion.
> I would invest my money into a HAM IV rotor before I would waste it on a 
> pre amplifier.
>
> As others has said, with the advent of cell phones, there is not a lot of 
> CW activity anywhere anymore - except buddy groups and contests...  A FM 
> transceiver isn't any good for CW in my opinion and the 706 or 857 would 
> be a better option....
>
> Stacking antenna's also has it's benefits..
>
> Don't skimp on the coax or the antenna.
>
> Home brew antenna's will get you on the air, anything in the air is still 
> better then nothing at all.
> But commercial built antenna's are the key to making a lot of reliable 
> contacts - unless you have access to a antenna analizer and a tig / 
> aluminum mig welder.
> Again, it all boils down to MONEY.....
>
> If you have not done so already, find yourself a viable ham radio club, 
> join the club, get the club members involved.  This is our greatest 
> untapped resource...
>
> Jerry
> WD3D
> ______________________________________________________________
> 2m mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/2m
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:2m at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html