[Elecraft] Need K3 dB Measurements on new 160M Antenna

[David Cutter]

It did cross my mind that if you just want to verify, say the elevation 
angle and intensity of the main lobe, you could launch a balloon some 
wavelengths away carrying a field strength indicator.  With everything else 
non-metal, the meter could send data via fibre to the ground and make a 
measurement at every metre/foot.  Then move the balloon to another spot on 
your plan and repeat.  Repeat for each antenna.  As long as it doesn't rain, 
I would think that would give consistant results and it would take into 
account the ground around the station.

David
G3UNA

>
>
> Geoff,
>
> To do good antenna testing you need an anechoic chamber or better
> operate in deep space. My primary interest in radio are the microwave
> bands. I do set up antenna ranges for 10 GHz (3cm), In doing so, I find
> the wind blowing tree leaves will have a non trivial affect on the
> observed signal even though the trees are "out of the way." I find that
> I need to place the reference antenna and the antenna under test in
> exactly the same place (x y and z position) to get true A/B comparisons.
> This is demonstrated by taking two known antenna and see how repeatable
> the observations can be.
>
> Scaling these realizations up to HF antenna causes me to throw up my
> hands. Yes we do the best we can testing antenna, but we have to be
> realistic about the data we collect. When anyone makes claims about
> their antenna I listen carefully for the details on how the antenna was
> tested.
>
> Maybe we should ask ARRL to fund a synchronous satellite over the US
> with a beacon on each of the HF bands so that we can point our antenna
> up and make more valid comparisons.
>
> Don, N0YE
>
>