[Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

[Michael Wong]

Thanks everyone! Larry's was great, quickly actionable advice. I’ll do this the next time I go out. I don’t have a shack, and am still hunting around for a spot where I can try some of the other great suggestions (that I can fit in my backpack and if I actually find a spot where I can string up a wire. 

I do use a wire counterpoise for both my wire and Buddistick and try to keep it off the ground except for the end.

Yes, I have an older copy of the antenna book and I’m in the transmission lines chapter. I guess I should just skip ahead to the long wire chapter. 

Given all the advice, I’m going to continue to try to find a good wire antenna deployment given the random locations I tend to drop in at. 

Thanks all!

Michael
K2MAW


> On Sep 29, 2016, at 8:34 AM, Bill <k9yeq at live.com> wrote:
> 
> That's great advice, Larry!
> 
> Bill
> K9YEQ
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Larry
> Gauthier (K8UT)
> 
> The most likely answer is "it depends." Despite the theoretical differences
> between the antennas, there are situational differences where one will
> out-perform the other: quality of ground, height, propagation, direction to
> receiving station...
> 
> BUT, you can measure those differences yourself. Tune-up on the Buddistick
> in the CW portion and send the string "test test de <your callsign> <your 
> callsign>". Move your VFO 5 KHz and send the same string on the random wire.
> 
> Then open your browser to the Reverse Beacon Network's search page and enter
> 
> your callsign.
> http://www.reversebeacon.net/srch.php
> Compare your received signal strength on each antenna by the stations who 
> heard you. Run the test a few times to minimize QSB and propagation fading.
> 
> What do you get? The results ("which is better?") may be different as you 
> move from one location to another. If you can carry both antennas use the 
> one that's working.
> 
> -larry (K8UT)
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Michael A. Wong
> 
> Hey folks,
> 
> KX3 and Buddistick owner here. I've been getting a lot of feedback that I 
> would get better performance (more contacts) with a random wire vs my 
> Buddistick. So, while I've noticed that reception is much better with the 
> wire, with the Buddistick, I get 1.1:1 according to the KX3 and have made 
> all my contacts with the Buddistick.
> 
> Now, recognizing the DIY nature of our hobby might lead people to recommend 
> a random wire over a commercial antenna, if I actually manage to deploy the 
> wire "optimally", should I really see performance equal or outpace the 
> Buddistick? Or am I simply finding bad luck the times I try to get a QSO 
> over a wire?
> 
> I've tried deploying from a 30' pole sloping down, the hypotenuse of the 
> triangle pointing to my desired direction. I tried deploying 40+ feet 
> between two trees about 12' off the ground. Now I'm going to get a Zebco 202
> 
> and rig up my slingshot to deploy vertical. But honestly, I can get the 
> Buddistick up and running in about 3 minutes....
> 
> Mainly, I'm on 20m and maybe I haven't read the right book on random wire 
> antennas, but I would appreciate the group's thoughts.
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to michaelwong at mac.com