[PVRCNC] 80M NCQP

[Nathan Moreschi]

Marc,
Given the nature of 80M contacts in NCQP (high angle relatively local stuff within 500 to 1000 miles), just about anything will work well enough. I think you would be fine with the end-fed antenna you mentioned.
73,
Nate/N4YDU

      From: Jim K4QPL <k4qpl2 at nc.rr.com>
 To: 'Amateur Radio Station W4MPS' <w4mps at nc.rr.com>; pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Monday, February 6, 2017 8:57 AM
 Subject: Re: [PVRCNC] 80M NCQP
   
Hi Marc,
Sounds like a fun expedition. As far as 80M is concerned, height and length
are about the only things that matter. Most of the RF from small antennas is
either lost in the ground or goes straight up so range isn't going to be
great no matter what. Sometimes the effects can be mitigated like a vertical
over water. Say, I think there's a big lake down there in a state park. If
not closed in the evening take your mobile and back down an unused boat ramp
until the tires are just under water. We parked next to a river one year and
signals seemed to pick up. Or maybe if you drove right in and sat on the
roof............or maybe not!
73,
Jim, K4QPL


-----Original Message-----
From: PVRCNC [mailto:pvrcnc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Amateur
Radio Station W4MPS
Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2017 10:09 AM
To: pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [PVRCNC] 80M NCQP

Gentlemen

Can I pick your collective brains please?

Every year for NCQP I go out on a mini-expedition, usually to a bonus
county. Often, we'll stay at a B&B. For those operations I've tried many
different portable (temporary) antennas.
_
Segmented dipole_ for 40 & 20 using a 22 Ft extendable fiberglass mast. 
It's made with RG174 and #26 polystealth. Weighs nothing= Good results

Ground mounted or tripod mounted _short vertical_ for 40 & 20, Buddipole or
PAC-12 type= Poor results _ Ham sticks_ mounted on the mobile for 40 & 20=
Fair to good results (won the Lone Ranger category with that last year).

We're planning on going to Anson County (bonus) this year. I'll likely use
my segmented dipole for 40 and 20, as it works fairly well and is easy to
set up and take down.

But I'd also like to get on 80 for the end of the contest to hand out as
many bonus points as possible. But I'm conflicted on what's the best
portable/compromise antenna to use. An 80 M dipole, even mounted low, would
probably be a bit long for a B&B setup. I made an end fed last year with a
homebrew 9:1 balun, using 50 +/- feet and a counterpoise. 
That seemed to work OK on 40 and above. I haven't tried it on 80M but will
in the next week or so.

Do you have any thoughts for my situation?
Any suggestions appreciated.

I'll likely be using my FTdx1200 running barefoot. The on board tuner is
reasonably good.

Many thanks
73
Marc, W4MPS


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