[Elecraft] 3 element beam

[EricJ]

That goes for ANY power level, not just milliwatting. The gain of a beam can
often (not always) squirt more power where you need it to go than a
vertical. Sometimes the low take-off angle of a GOOD vertical can trump a
beam, though.

I have only one problem using a beam...one I can live with. Hi. Many QRP
receivers are very hot with low noise. That coupled with my TH7DX at 60'
means I can hear a lot of stations that would never be able to hear me. A
beam gives you gain on both receive and transmit, but a 100 mW output signal
effectively doubled or even quadrupled with a beam is still a pretty puny
signal for the guy at the other end. 

But you never know. I have two rules:

1. Never tell them up front you are QRP. It's an ancient Black Magic
incantation that makes people deaf.

2. Call every station you want to talk to regardless of the S-meter. The
worst that can happen is they won't come back to you. I can't tell you how
many QSOs I've had with 100 watters who were S3 to me and (because of Rule
1) I was S5 or greater to them with 5 watts or less.

I might add a 3rd rule, but at the risk of stepping on some toes:
3. Stay away from QRP frequencies unless you are rock-bound. You will find a
lot more activity and hams willing to dig deep for weak signals on the FISTS
frequencies and the low end of the band of choice. FISTS guys even seem to
be immune to the QRP Deafness Curse.

Anyway, a beam is a great QRP accessory. Any time you have an opportunity to
throw more metal higher in the sky, it can be worthwhile.

BTW, I hope you are going to report back with your ham experiences aboard
the boat. I was thinking that many of the recommendations you received for
antennas ignore the fact that you are actually at sea. Many of the
recommendations are going to fold right up in those conditions, though they
would work fine in most portable conditions.

Eric
KE6US
www.ke6us.com






-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of mc
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 11:17 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] 3 element beam

has anyone read the article at ARRL on qrp, recommendations to use a 3
element beam for milliwatt transmission instead of vertical 


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