[Elecraft] Possible STS-113 Launch Special Event Station

[kc4kgu@ENTERZONE.NET]

On Wed, 6 Nov 2002, Paul Womble wrote:

> 40 or 30 would most likely be your best bet for finding some stations.
> 

Well, it's going to have to be 40m then because I'm no CW man. ;-)

> I have not been to the observation site so can't help much there.  I would
> guess that even for a late night launch it will be full of people so the MP1
> might be the easiest thing to manage.  Of course performance on the lower
> bands would be a lot better with a dipole.

Granted.  But, that is going to require some form of support which I'm not
certain will be available.  Depending on how accomodating the folks at KSC
are, I'm sure we could rig something.  I have about 100ft of coax so, we
could put the antenna outside of the viewing angle to the launch pad and
also far enough away to be way,way,way below maximum RF exposure levels as
well.

I'll be onsite at KSC early in the day.  It's just a matter of them having
someone available to get me to the site early to set up an antenna.  Then,
when we go out in the late evening, all I have to do is plug the coax into
the rig and rock&roll.  I'm certain that they all have _real_ jobs to do
though and babysitting a ham who wants to set up temporary antenna is way
outside the scope of those jobs. ;-)  Again, security and safety are my
highest concerns.  If we get the goahead and the only station I work is
some mobile 2mi away, I'll be as happy as can be.  I hope to be able to do
more though!
 
> Do you have the tuner in the K2?  I keep reading about guys using random wire
> antennas fed against a counterpoise with good success.

I am one of the KAT100 field testers so, I've got a great tuner to
use.  I'm wondering how well a random wire will work not being supported
by at least SOMETHING though.  I'll be able to do some experimenting in
Kissimmee prior to going to KSC so, that is a bit of a help.  Right now,
we're still in the wait and see phase though. <grin>

The battery problem is still nagging me.  I'm wondering how large of a gel
cell I'll need to operate the K2/100 + KAT100 for about a 4hr window.


73 de John - KC4KGU
K2/100 #2490