[NLRS] 7/13 Meeting Notes and Contest info!

[Phil Lefever]

At 01:00 PM 7/16/2004, you wrote:
>I feel that I have to send this to the
>list.  I really feel that all of you need to take up this challenge.  This
>group like many WiFi groups have a great misunderstanding of antenna and
>feed line theory as shown some of the piss poor CB like antenna designs that
>show up on the internet.  I think some of us need to step up to the plate
>and win this challenge to bring them into the real world of RF theory. This
>is not much different than when Jon and Jim were building MDS systems back
>in the 80's. Maybe Jon's (K0FQA) house is the place to prove this.

Steve,

Kent, KC0DGY and I just returned from our first stab at this contest. We
tried the usual 10Ghz site on the hill in Burnsville tonight. We tried
both a 16dbi and a 24dbi antenna using a 200mw wireless adapter. We
were able to see the site with both antennas but not connect to it so
far. Our biggest issue was that we were trying to hold the dish by hand.
It is far too tight a pattern to have any luck like this!

We plan to try again next Monday or Tuesday with a stable tripod this
time. Also with any luck the air will be a bit drier, even at our peak
signal level we could stand a couple more db. Since I'm not experienced
at 2.4Ghz I can only assume that the humidity could make for a bit more
loss... Wishful thinking??

If this site fails at 14.2 miles we will next try my roof here in
Burnsville at 12.8 miles. If we make it from the Burnsville location
we will likely try the TCRC field day site as well! Any other known
good sites in the 15-20 mile range from downtown that have a clear
shot at the Pillsbury building?

I wonder what the other members of the TC Wireless Users Group will
be able to do. I sure hope there are FCC callsigns assigned to those
that prevail ;)

73

Phil


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Phil Lefever    KBØNES                          Twin Cities Repeater Club
kb0nes at tcrc.org                                 Burnsville,MN