[MRCA] MRCA Meet Communications Readiness Bulletin II

[Radio Station KW1I]

MRCA Meet Communications Readiness Bulletin II

On the Friday afternoon (Sept. 21) group field exercise to Big Pocono there 
will be an opportunity to test Near Vertical Incidence Skywave propogation 
over the 19 mile path between the field site and base at the Gilbert 
Fairgrounds.  The access road to the top of the overlook point is on the far 
side of the mountain.  Setting up a NVIS antenna equipped station near the 
bottom of the access road would present a significant communications 
challenge back to base with the bulk of the mountain shadowing normal 
antenna take off angles.

I propose that one team on the way up the mountain separate from the convoy 
and set up a short way up the mountain's access road.  The team should be 
equipped with VHF set for coordination through stations on top of Big Pocono 
back to Gilbert. This team will be in place when the main communications 
convoy reaches the top, sets up and commences tests.  Upon completion of 
NVIS testing the station at the bottom of Big Pocono can pack up and join 
the main body on the mountain top.

This experiment will require two NVIS antenna set ups.  One remote and one 
at the Gilbert base.  The simplest and probably the most effective 75m NVIS 
antenna is a low dipole 15-20 ft off the ground, with typical sag in the 
middle and with at least one counterpoise wire running under the antenna 
attached to the HF rig ground.   Two end support masts should be planned, 
though it is likely a tree can be used for support at one end.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

1.  A 2-3 person comm team to set up and man the remote Big Pocono NVIS test 
station.

2.  One of more Individuals who can provide NVIS antenna kits, one for the 
base at Gilbert, one to be erected at the Big Pocono remote NVIS experiment 
site.

Commenters and volunteers send mail to kw1i at earthlink.net.

Complete MRCA Meet information at http://www.mrca.ar88.net/