[CALV-ARES] Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day

[Eric Christensen]

Neat!  Maybe we could do a similar thing and hit a few parks in the 
county and try to make contact with each other.  Warmer weather is 
coming...

--Eric

On , N3AE wrote:
> All,
> 
> Thought the article below might be of interest. I know at least one
> of the Ohio ARES groups is using the NVIS antenna design that's posted
> on our web site under Projects.
> 
> Shawn
> N3AE
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Ohio ARES to Sponsor "NVIS Antenna Day"
> 
> Ohio Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) will sponsor "NVIS
> Antenna Day [1]" on Saturday, April 25. The idea, said Ohio Section
> Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, N8BHL, is to determine if the
> sometimes-vaunted near-vertical incidence skywave -- or NVIS --
> concept really works as an antenna for emergency communication on HF.
> NVIS [2] is a technique for using HF for highly reliable short-range
> communication.
> 
> TYPICAL ELEVATION PLANE PATTERN FOR HALF-WAVELENGTH ANTENNAS
> ONE-EIGHTH WAVELENGTH OR LESS ABOVE GROUND. [FROM THE PRESENTATION
> "NEAR VERTICAL INCIDENCE SKYWAVE (NVIS) [2]."]
> 
> "We are encouraging groups in every Ohio county to devise several
> portable NVIS antennas that they think will perform, and then actually
> test them on the air," Broadway said. The program grew out of an
> annual antenna party in Ashtabula County that has been both operating
> event and early spring picnic, he explained. Participants "found a
> vast difference in actual antenna performance, and have been able to
> narrow down their choices for a real emergency setup," he explained.
> Ashtabula County Amateur Radio Club-ARES [3] is sponsoring NVIS
> Antenna Day.
> 
> Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day will begin at 1400 UTC with operation on
> both 40 and 80 meters at 100 W, "as you might during a real
> emergency," Broadway said. "While a typical session might go through
> the afternoon, there is no official closing time." He pointed out that
> while those taking part in NVIS Antenna Day don't have to set up a
> completely portable or remote station, the location should offer
> sufficient space for several antennas and be in a fairly quiet RF
> environment.
> 
> Suggested frequencies are 7240, 7244, 7248, and 7250 kHz, and 3850,
> 3870, and 3930 kHz on SSB and 3585 and 7072 for digital modes, all
> plus or minus existing activity.
> 
> Broadway stressed that the event is not a contest but is aimed
> specifically at determining the best of several NVIS antenna designs
> through signal reports and coverage area. "A group could very well
> make several contacts with the same station as they try different
> antennas," he said. "Stations at key locations, such as the Ohio EOC,
> will be on the air."
> 
> ASSISTANT ASHTABULA (OHIO) EMERGENCY COORDINATOR DON KOCINA, KD8OSZ
> (LEFT), AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT 10 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR TIM PRICE,
> K8WFL, ASSEMBLE AN ANTENNA IN THE FIELD. [BOB WOODWORTH, WD8PVB,
> PHOTO]
> 
> Broadway asked participating groups to list their top three antennas
> with descriptions and photos. "Ohio ARES will see if any particular
> antenna design bubbles up as the top performer across the entire
> state," he said. "Antenna experimentation is an integral part of the
> hobby, and the outcome will benefit each ARES group or club by helping
> to create an arsenal that can be deployed during a real emergency."
> 
> As an added benefit, he noted, the event could also be a terrific
> opportunity to test potential Field Day antennas. NVIS Antenna Day is
> open to all hams, and Broadway hopes they will become interested in
> joining their local ARES organizations. A poster/report form [4] is
> available. For more information, contact Ashtabula ARC-ARES. --_Thanks
> to Ohio SEC Stan Broadway,
> N8BHL_---------------------------------------------
> 
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.qsl.net/ash_ares/NVIS%20DAY%20APRIL%2025%202015.pdf
> [2] http://www.arrl.org/nvis
> [3] http://www.qsl.net/ash_ares/
> [4] http://www.qsl.net/ash_ares/OHIO%20ARES%20NVIS%20POSTER-LOG.pdf
> 
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