[AK-VHF] NET: 19 Dec. - 144.200 USB

Tue Dec 22 14:46:13 EST 2020

Hi Ed,

I would agree with your list about 75%. I think all of the numbered points
are good advice, but I don't think they are always necessary. My experience
with VHF/UHF weak signal work (terrestrial, at least) is that when the
signal path can be made it doesn't always take a lot of gear to do it.

My first "long-ish distance" VHF contact was working from the desert near
Fremont Peak back to Lake Elsinore. That was about 125 miles, and I made a
few contacts with a 4-element yagi, 25 watts, and FM. The oath was doable,
so it just took a little gain and a few more watts than normal. (Looking
back, I think that's when I got hooked on VHF work.)

Also, sometimes you can make up for not having high performance in one area
by having it in another area. During a September VHF contest (again, back
in CA) I worked from Thomas Mountain out to California City, about 150
miles. I was using a 14 element antenna and SSB, but only 5 watts transmit
power (Yaesu 817). The signal path was possible, so adding some gain (about
13 dBd if I remember) made it work.

On the other hand, if the path isn't doable then no amount of gain or power
will help, in my experience. When I go up to Glen Alps trailhead for the
net I can't reach Eagle River for love or money - just too many ridgelines
in the way and diffraction isn't working in my favor to fill in behind the
hills.

I guess I would conclude:
1. You can never have too much gear, gain, power, or directivity. More
always helps.
2. Never shy away from trying a path that you're not sure about. Line if
sight is absolutely not always required at VHF. (It does help though).
3. If the path is possible then it is often surprising how little gear it
takes to make the path work.

Run what you've got and give it a try. You never know what you'll be able
to do until to key the mic.
Brandon

On Mon, Dec 21, 2020, 19:34 Edward R Cole <kl7uw at acsalaska.net> wrote:

> And another correction KL7CE should be AL7CE.  I think this is
> another example why using phonetic alphabet is useful.
> I am not sure if I have talked with these gentlemen, before, so calls
> are not familiar to me (as they may be to Anchorage stations).
>
> Also AL6O asked me some questions about what is needed to work out
> 60+ miles (short version answer, below);
>
> 1.  Antenna:  10dBi gain; very big vertical or a 8-11 element yagi
> 2.  Height:  30-foot min; 50-feet is better (unless you live at high
> elevation)
> 3.  Coax:  RG8 & RG213 have high loss at 144-MHz (2.2 dB/100-foot
> means 60% gets to the antenna);  LMR-400 is 1.5 dB/100-foot  70% gets
> there); don't even think of using RG-58 (4.5 dB loss).
> 4.  Power:  50w (more is nicer; I run 120w)
> 5.  Preamp:  You can't work them if you can't hear them; this is the
> "secret" to weak-signal reception.  Min 0.5 dB NF, 18 dB gain
> Most preamps don't bypass in transmit so you need coax relays to
> bypass the preamp.
>
> This pretty much listed in the order of priority.
>
> My four yagi array came down in the Nov. 2nd wind storm.  I am trying
> to get my two yagis  (17.35 dBi) system for use (high SWR at this point).
> So  I am using a Cushcraft ARX-270 dual-band vertical: 11 dBi on 144;
> 13 dBi on 432.  The antenna is 17-foot long, base mounted at 20-feet
> above ground.
> I live at 135 feet above sea level - 2 miles from the Inlet.
>
> 73, Ed
>
>
> At 04:26 PM 12/21/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
> >Correction K67O should be AL6O:
> >
> >At 11:21 AM 12/20/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
> >>Net report:
> >>
> >>144.200 (using FT-736R and vertical):
> >>KL3WF - S2 (band varying over several minutes)
> >>KL4VB - NR
> >>KL7XJ - S5 (13.8 miles ESE of me near Kenai College)
> >>KL7GRM - S9 (17.4 miles south of me in Echo Lake area south of Soldotna)
> >>KL7H - S1 (new call for KL4E)
> >>KL7CA - NR
> >>KL0YO  NR
> >>KL7CE - NR
> >>KL6O all by relay by KL7H
> >>KL6M heard after net
> >>
> >>223.50 (using BCM-220 and two CC 220-11 yagis):
> >>KL7H - 2bars
> >>KL7T - NR
> >>KL5T - NR
> >>KL4RP - NR
> >>224.94 Rptr -2bars
> >>
> >>Next weekend Net will be on 146.52FM
> >>
> >>73, Ed
> >>Merry Christmas
> >>
> >>At 11:32 PM 12/18/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
> >>>The begins at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.  I also monitor 223.50 FM
> >>>Six more shopping days until Christmas!
> >>>
> >>>Hope to see you on the net tomorrow!
> >>>
> >>>73, Ed - KL7UW
> >>>   http://www.kl7uw.com
> >>>Dubus-NA Business mail:
> >>>   dubususa at gmail.com
> >>>______________________________________________________________
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> >>>
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> >>
> >>73, Ed - KL7UW
> >>   http://www.kl7uw.com
> >>Dubus-NA Business mail:
> >>   dubususa at gmail.com
> >>______________________________________________________________
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> >>
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> >
> >73, Ed - KL7UW
> >   http://www.kl7uw.com
> >Dubus-NA Business mail:
> >   dubususa at gmail.com
> >______________________________________________________________
> >ak-vhf mailing list
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> >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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> >
> >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>    http://www.kl7uw.com
> Dubus-NA Business mail:
>    dubususa at gmail.com
>
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