[SixClub] New 6M antenna array up

[Rental Cars LLC John Carson]

WHOOPS...my bad...did'nt read far enough down...Anyway, thanks for the
post to your website. I too will be interested in just how well your array
performs.

John kd5srw



> Spent the past couple of weeks preparing and finally installing a new 6M
> antenna with some new features I hope will be useful. I had a C3I 6
> element (great, super robust, but heavy) up at 50' for the past couple
> of years but always felt that the previous 5 over 5 stack (Rutland's)
> seemed to play well. Actually that 5 over 5 got me 6M WAS in the
> 1998-2000 timeframe with 100W from the east coast.
>
> But the stack always did not do well on shorter E skip, but did great on
> the low angle stuff. So in order to get the most out of both worlds I
> added a Array Solutions 6M StackMatch II. This allows me to select Top,
> Bottom or both in phase and without 75 ohm phasing lines. Just 2 equal
> length 50 ohm lines. There is an option to do an Out of Phase selection
> but am not sure that will be to worthwhile on 6M.
>
> My new stack is comprised of a pair of Directive Systems (they make the
> antennas for Down East Microwave) DS50-5's, which are 5 elements on a
> 18' boom with 9.1dbd gain each. I also replaced all the flexi 9913 coax
> with 1/2" Heliax to help improve my receive as much as possible. The
> lower antenna is at 38' and the top at 51'.
>
> There has been no openings since I put up the stack up but have noticed
> that the lower antenna by it's self picks up more noise than the top,
> and with both phased the noise really drops and signals pick up
> slightly.
>
> As I get to play with the stack switching I will be noting which setting
> is best (Top, Bottom, Both) and will build up a spreadsheet as I get
> enough data to input. Hopefully this will show the usefulness (or not)
> of this kind of configuration.
>
> There are some pictures on my website.
>
> Gary Mitchelson
> N3JPU Montgomery Co. MD  FM19
> http://www.mitchelson.org/
>
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