[FoxHunt] Turnstile antennas for 2M

[bob]

I understand the differences between competition and fun. Mobile hunters 
tend to get bored after time and need something to keep them awake on a 
hunt. Navigation is only part of the challenge and having a "treasure" 
hunt at the end of a hunt is all part of the fun as are multiple 
transmitters, moving transmitters, nasty modulation schema, and of 
course, hidden antennas. ARDF seems to be a combination of a foot race 
and navigational skills with equipment and puzzle solving being 
secondary to the 1-2 hour semi-annual exercise. That's OK, but...

Bob, WB6JPI

Marvin Johnston wrote:

>Horizontal polarization has been used for years on 2M ARDF hunts over in
>Europe. From the people I've talked to, there are several reasons that
>include less effect from the vertical attenuators out on the course
>(trees.) Apparently it is also a bit easier to differentiate between
>reflections and the real signal.
>
>I might add that the signals are AM over there, and not FM as is
>commonly used here in the US.
>
>As far as hiding, ARDF transmitters are identified by an Orange/White
>Orienteering flag that are usually visiable from at least 10 or 15
>meters away. Unlike some of the mobile hunts I've been on, the idea is
>not hider vs hunters, but rather to provide a fair venue for hunters to
>compete against themselves. The challange is navigation, not trickery
>:).
>
>If anyone is interested in the Region I ARDF rules, they can be seen at
>http://www.ardf-r1.org/, and look under "ARDF Rules".
>
>
>bob wrote:
>  
>
>>Why did they decide on horizontal antennas? Verticals are so much easier
>>to make, hide etc.
>>
>>I will be building one and probably use it on an up coming mobile hunt.
>>It will make for some very interesting reflections from the bottom of a
>>canyon.
>>
>>I notice that you crumpled the 90 degree phasing harness into a wad and
>>stuffed it into the pipe. The outer conductor of the phasing harness has
>>lots of RF on it and this isn't a good place to put it. Better to let it
>>dangle with the coax. You could also dangle a 1/2 wave loop for a balun
>>(although it doesn't have RF on the outside and could be crumpled up),
>>removing most of the RF on the feed line.
>>
>>Bob, WB6JPI
>>
>>Jay Hennigan wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>I've assembled a number of these recently.  Details here:
>>>
>>>http://www.west.net/~jay/turnstile.html
>>>
>>>Comments, criticism, flames, etc. welcome.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
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>>    
>>
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