[Elecraft] 3 element beam

[n3drk]

Well said Eric. Lots to think about for everyone.
73s
john-n3drk

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "EricJ" <eric_csuf at hotmail.com>
To: "'mc'" <seapearl2 at bellsouth.net>; <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 5:55 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] 3 element beam


> 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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