[TransAtlantic] Azores 144 beacon antenna system

[map1]

Hi Bob,

Those are some real good ideas.
Your antenna suggestions prompted me to do some more research.

<I do have one other suggestion for the top side beacon - because of its
unlimited 360 degree coverage (as in LOS to distant water horizon), perhaps
we could make it slightly diffferent - 30 seconds (or whatever) on the
stacked yagi array (breakable of course is the correct plan) and 30 (or
whatever) into a simplistic Ringo. The reason? Es of course into Europe and
the omni would also give the CT's something to watch for on tropo as well
which would be a "first leg" indicator. I spent a month there as CU3/K6EDX
in 92 as I recall and enough time with CU3AK to know he can handle the
installation and maintenance technology.
73, Bob


The proposed site looks to be Serra da Santa Barbara,  HM68ir,  at 3500' ,
the highest mtn. (by far) on Terciera, Azores. It looks somewhat similar to
our Mt. Greylock, MA, with a road to the top.

For the NA ant, a question would be whether or not to include Newfoundland
in the beamwidth. If an effective antenna were to cover from Newfoundland
down to Trinidad, it would require a 68 degree beamwidth. From Cape Hatteras
down to Trinidad, 44 degrees,  From Jacksonville, Fl to St Croix, 28 degrees

Here's the calc's from Wingrid, degrees to/from, miles/km
HM68ir to:

GN37pn, St John's, NEWF             304/106, 1413/2275
FM25ff, Hatteras, NC                    280/70, 2650/4264
EM90hh, Jax.Beach, FL  2             276/54, 3095/4980
FK77or, St.Croix, VI                      248/49, 2677/4309
FK52ud, Bonaire                                245/46, 3108/5002
FK90ld, SE coast, Trinidad                  236/41, 2866/4613

IL27FW, Canary Is                            134/321, 1006/1618
IM57MA, SW coast, Portugal              91/282, 1008/1621
IO51GK, Clear Is. SW Ireland            39/231, 1231/1981
IO44XG, NW coast, Corclogh, Ireland 31/224, 1345/2164

On the Euro side, SW Portugal to NW Ireland needs 60 degrees, to SW Ireland
it only needs 42 degrees (and still covers most of central Europe.)
At the most beamwidth, coverage from NW Ireland all the way down to the
Canary Island is 103 degrees. The 42 degree antenna might be the best
choice.

The "first leg" toward Europe idea is a real good one. On the west side, a
"first leg" to Newfoundland may also be a consideration. I've seen a number
of Hepburn predictions that link the Azores & Newfoundland.

Instead of a directional and an omni, How 'bout 2 directional antennas? The
radiation to the remaining 300 degrees or so could be used to increase ERP
to Europe.

Maybe Dave, K1WHS has some insight into the antenna issues.

Comments?

73
Mark K1MAP