[NLRS] Aurora '10 Antenna Range Results

[Donn - WA2VOI/0]

Below are the results from last Saturday's Antenna test Range at Aurora '10. 
Not a lot of action this year, which was actually a good thing as the Wavetek 
Model 3001 signal generator wouldn't work.  We used my Wavetek 7401 to drive the 
VHF/UHF range, but that left nothing for 2.3/3.4/5.GHz.  There were no antennas 
in that range to test, so it worked out.

On the 10GHz range there were only three antennas to test.  We did spend a lot 
of time "tweaking" those three however and it was time well spent.  The big 
discovery was that a DSS dish with dual feeds worked just as well as the single 
feed dishes EXCEPT that there is a significant shift of the maximum signal from 
boresight.  (Called "squint".)  You have to be aware of, and compensate for, 
this offset but the dish worked A-OK.

We'll these onto the web page(s) for future reference at some point.

Thanks to Doug, N0NAS, for running the VHF/UHF range, and to Paul, WA0RSE and 
Jim, K0KFC and others who helped with setup and tear down.  (If I've forgotten 
anyone, I apologize and plead forgetfulness.)

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0



AURORA '10 ANTENNA RANGE RESULTS

2M ANTENNAS
W0ZQ Modified CC 2m/222MHz    4 el 2m       +0.1dB        7.3 dBd
2m Ref 4 el VJB                                                       ----  
7.2 dBd
W0UHF WT4E dualband E factor (omni)
                                                     peak gain           -5.7 
1.5 dBd
                                                     Null 4 dB down

222MHz ANTENNAS
W0ZQ 8 el K1FO end mount                                +3.3 dB    11.1 dBd
W0ZQ Modified CC 2m/222MHz 4 el 222MHz  +1.8            9.6 dBd
222 Ref 4 el VJB                                                      ----  
7.8 dBd
W0ZQ 220 Stacked loops                                     -4.1             3.7 
dBd

432 MHz ANTENNAS
W0ZQ 24 el K1FO 17ft boom                               +7.6 dB    16.6 dBd
W0ZQ 11 el K1FO end mount                               +3.6          12.6 dBd
K0WOW 12 el NBS close spaced                        +1.7          10.7 dBd
432 Ref 6 el VJB                                                     ----  
9.0 dBd
W0UHF WT4E dual band E factor (omni)
                                                    side 
     -6.0            3.0 dBd
                                                    prime lobe 
2.0 dBd
KC0PPA 440 Modified Lindenbladt (omni)          -4.5            -0.5 dBd

No antennas for 902/903, 1296, 2304, 3456, or 5760 or 24GHz were tested.

10GHz ANTENNAS
10GHz Ref  (WA2VOI)                                              ----  
22.3 dBi
NLRS 20dB Ref #1                                                  -1.9 dB 
20.4 dBi
W0AUS 20dB Ref #2                                              -3 
19.3 dBi
K0KFC 22" w/splash plate feed                            +5.7              28.0 
dBi
KC0IYT 18" Dish w/HB feed horn                          +5.3              27.6 
dBi
KC0IYT 18" dish w/Dual feed
                   110° (right side) feed replaced
                    w/modified feed. Significant squint   +8.2              30.5 
dBi