[K3PZN-List] SSB Station Antenna Choice

Wed Jun 13 20:04:40 EDT 2012

Ray

A. Education:  (I am still learning too!)

The trade-off of using a G5RV versus multiple dipoles is one hams have been thinking about every since mr. G5RV developed the thing!  

Actually in earlier times before coax one did not use a 'dipole' but instead a doublet.  The difference is (by ham radio definition) a dipole is matched to its feedline (and rig) while a doublet is not.  A G5RV is actually a special version of a doublet tuned to work 'ok' on some ham bands.  

Actually a G5RV may not be a good choice for FD for multiple reasons - the feedline does radiate and that could interfere with other stations.  Also not all operators or coaches even may know how to tune it properly.  

Many hams actually build their own dipoles, as they most always need to be trimmed anyway.  The foundation for a dipole is a center insulator -- one can buy these with a SO239 mounted on them for attaching coax.  (They can also be homemade from PVC and a SO239).  For the CW station I will be making a 40m dipole by attaching 32 feet of wire on each end of such an insulator (I wish I had two of them, but I don't).  

B. Application to Your FD Station:  

My suggestion for you and Kerri to set up  a station for primarily 40m was only a mere suggestion.  If you wish you could instead do 20/15/10 m by using my little beam at the top of your Rocket launcher.  The downside of this is that these bands may be played out by mid evening.  One idea would be to add a 80m 'inverted V' dipole to your Rocketlauncher along with the beam -- then we would keep the other phone station (I presume in a tent near your RV) on 40m.  Note I am presuming you wished to only have one SSB station in your RV.  

I can look to see if I have materials to make a second center insulator - then we would only need to find ~ 130 feet of ordinary wire (and the coax) to make your dipole.  I believe the club has coax.  

Do realize we will have more operators than radios at FD.  Idea is to share the stations at much as possible during prime time especially Saturday afternoon.  By evening operators will be scarce and we will be stretched a little to 'man' 4-5 rigs thru Sunday morning.  

73 Curt

________________________________
 From: Ray Wright <razor42 at hughes.net>
To: Carroll County Amateur Radio Club <k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 7:44 PM
Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] K3PZN-List Digest, Vol 101, Issue 3

hello all a check a of the 577 looks like all parts are present    Mike just 
as you thought   red guy line is the longest about 60ft  The white i didnt 
even check and the blue was about 36ft.   Kerri and I were thinking about 
buying a 40 or 20 diapole, but a g5rv jr is about the same price.  If we 
bought the g5rv jr it would give us more versitility but also would require 
a tunner.  Your thoughts?

Also Mike do you think you will have a chance to make up say a 50 ft coax 
for my RV this week? I differ to your expertise as to which type  i am 
planning on running it under the rv attached to body and drill a whole 
through the floor to bring the line through.

Kerri and  I apprecaite all the help the club members have provided in 
helping us get on the air and work out the problems in the shack.

Ray

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Fisher" <n3vop at hotmail.com>
To: "CCARC" <k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] K3PZN-List Digest, Vol 101, Issue 3

>
> I keeping with Curt's comments here are my suggestions. We use the AB-577 
> that Ray has offered and mount the tribander on it. The tribander could be 
> used for 20 most of the time with 15m & 10m just as fill-in QSO's.
> The 80m wire dipole could also be attached to the 577 to get it up at 40 
> ft.  If the club has some of Clint's 4ft poles we could use them for the 
> 40m wire.
>
> Now on to the radio's --- I will have a rig for 6m and 1 for the digital 
> and Curt with bring his for the 40m station. At Monday's meeting someone 
> said the rigs in the club station could be used. If we are going to do 20m 
> & 80m at the same time then we will need 2 radio's. If someone wants to 
> also do CW then they should bring their rig for that also.
>
> This is a K3PZN club event (not a N3VOP event). I noticed a lot of hands 
> going up to 'operate' but none to setup a station. A simple station can be 
> setup in 30-45 mins. The AB-577 will take about 1.5 hours from start to 
> finish. Remember - Field Day is also a learning exercise for those new to 
> the hobby - use it that way.
>
> Mike F      N3VOP
>
>
>>
>> In support of Mike our FD chair, let's brainstorm and work together on 
>> antennas.?
>> Here are my thoughts:? (yours are also appreciated)
>> 80m - ONE wire antenna, deploy so it can be used for SSB or CW.? 
>> rationale - this is the noisiest band.? we could use the Carolina windom 
>> that Pete has offered.?
>> 40m - wire antennas, ONE EACH for SSB and CW.? could be simple homemade 
>> inverted vees.? I can supply one of these.?
>> 20/15/10m - one 'tribander' could be considered for SSB.? if nothing 
>> better emerges, I have a two element beam?MA5B?(just the 20/15/10, 
>> portion) that could be used.??the?rocket launcher offered is an overkill 
>> for this, but it would be something we could easily raise?up.?
>> that leaves supporting 20/15/10m for CW.? last year we used?the 40m 
>> inverted V on 15m, and it made it to KH6.?so need to consider 20 and 
>> 10m:?
>> a two element wire beam for 20m would be rather cool - if it could be 
>> lofted in-between other masts.? for 10m we could use just about 
>> anything.????
>> Mike likely has something in mind for HF digital?? Coordinating its 
>> operations with CW is vital to avoid QRM.? If rigs were scarce, it might 
>> also cover one of the phone bands perhaps.?
>> I am thinking of something like 2 SSB rigs and 1-2 CW rigs (depending 
>> upon operator count).? N3DRA is offering to bring the portable antenna 
>> mast he brought last year - I just queried him on height.?
>> Thoughts appreciated.? Next round will be assigning masts and antennas to 
>> be brought and deployed.?
>> 73 Curt
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