I did some more experimenting with my EndFedz. I finally got the standoff at the top of my tower, so I fastened it to the rope and pulled it up to the pulley. At about 32 feet high and sloping to about 15 feet, I made some successful QSOs from Mexico City to California, to Maine and to Europe. I checked in on the Maritime, SATERN and Intercon nets.
Regarding SWR, I haven't used an analyzer yet, but I measured it, used it with a tuner for a while just in case the SWR was a bit high (no, a tuner won't hurt it; you don't need one). After a while, I shortened it by an inch or so, and my FT-450 meter only shows one bar when I key and talk.
To test it further, I started at the top of the band, and went all the way through the data section with the tuner. It tuned it without any problems, so I know it was under a 3:1 SWR. With a stated SWR of 1.5:1 for 300 kHz, that goes to within 50 kHz of the bottom of the 20 meter band. It seems logical that it will perform sufficiently to the bottom edge, given that small amount of difference.
At QRP, the Maritime Net gave me a a copy, but the band static and other stations made it difficult to copy all of my call sign. Cranking it up to 100 watts solved that problem.
I plan on trying it out in the different configurations, such as an L, horizontal, and vertical as soon as I can. I suspect using it as an L would give it more of a directional approach, but don't quote me on that... I'd also like to see how much adjusting the takeoff angle actually affects it, as well as height above ground. The direction it is pointed as a sloper does seem to affect the direction somewhat. I'll update the blog as I get more results to share.
About Me
- Steve, KJ4KKI
- Welcome to my little piece of the cyberworld. I am an Amateur Extra Class ham radio operator from Kentucky. In addition to ham radio, other interests include paddling kayaks and canoes, camping, flyfishing, shooting and photography...I am a major Jimmy Buffett fan (fans are known as Parrotheads). But, location, work and finances sort of got in the way of being a beach bum as a career. I am also an animal lover and have several pets. I also have a Facebook page at steve.kj4kki.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
This Week's Progress
Well, progress has been made... I finished my standoff with clamps, pulleys, water-proofing, etc. I borrowed a safety harness from a buddy (my rope rescue harness from the 80s doesn't quite fit anymore). Another buddy will help me from the top of my roof, while I'm 40 feet in the air. Anyway, once that is done, I can run the wires and tune the 80m OCF. It should outperform my 20m vee by a good margin (I hope).
I'm hoping to get that done by this weekend, as it will be Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. I'd like to make some contacts.
In other news, I tried out my EndFedz 20m. Haven't run it through its paces yet, but it seemed to do well. I got some QSL cards during the past week or so. Today, I got 3 cards. N7LE Central Oregon DX Club, K1MQ from Rocky Hill, CT, and W5WAZ for the Maritime Net check in on 14.300 MHz. That was the first time I've ever checked in on it. Sounded interesting though and I'll try to catch it again.
Some other cards from the past couple of weeks include SP4XQN from Poland, PD5DB in The Netherlands, and S51ZZ in Slovenia. I'm happy to get a card from W4LEX, from Museum Ships Weekend aboard the USS Lexington.
Anyway, don't forget about trying to get a lighthouse this weekend.
I'm hoping to get that done by this weekend, as it will be Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. I'd like to make some contacts.
In other news, I tried out my EndFedz 20m. Haven't run it through its paces yet, but it seemed to do well. I got some QSL cards during the past week or so. Today, I got 3 cards. N7LE Central Oregon DX Club, K1MQ from Rocky Hill, CT, and W5WAZ for the Maritime Net check in on 14.300 MHz. That was the first time I've ever checked in on it. Sounded interesting though and I'll try to catch it again.
Some other cards from the past couple of weeks include SP4XQN from Poland, PD5DB in The Netherlands, and S51ZZ in Slovenia. I'm happy to get a card from W4LEX, from Museum Ships Weekend aboard the USS Lexington.
Anyway, don't forget about trying to get a lighthouse this weekend.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Vacation and Portable Antennas
Edited on July 30, 2011. I originally blogged this as ideas for vacation antennas and portable ops with my FT-450. Since then, I've made some purchases which alter my original plans a bit...not much.
First of all, I ordered a Balun Designs QRP balun with wing nut side posts. I plan on making several lengths of antennas with ring end connectors for different quick change bands. Add 50 feet of RG-8X coax for portable use. Then, while I was in the mood, I ordered an EndFedz 20m antenna. EndFedz has mono or dual band, but can be horizontal, vertical, L or sloper and only needs one tie-off point. I chose the 100 watt 20m over the 10/20/40 model because if the location is poor and band conditions aren't good, that extra 75 watts might come in handy. That is a 6 dB difference. I also considered the 20/40 combo, but the extra $40 was spent on other accessories, and 20m is the best band overall.
If no trees are handy, I also worked on my painter pole. The heavy duty one sits in an RV satellite dish tripod. I added an 8 foot lighter, aluminum pole on top of that, with a pvc "T" in the middle for them to slide into. This makes the total height 22 feet high. I've worked northern Europe at 13-15 feet. *Addendum: I got another painter pole and am going to try to attach them together. That will give me 33 feet if it will stay up with guys and not fall over.
For the final touch, I got a second power supply. I have a big and heavy linear for home use. I got a smaller and light weight Jetstream JTPS28, which will fit in a satchel or pack nicely.
This combination of ways to rig an antenna and run portable isn't quite as fancy as a Buddipole or Buddistick, but it was much cheaper and once the antennas are cut to resonance, there isn't any of that tapping coils.
First of all, I ordered a Balun Designs QRP balun with wing nut side posts. I plan on making several lengths of antennas with ring end connectors for different quick change bands. Add 50 feet of RG-8X coax for portable use. Then, while I was in the mood, I ordered an EndFedz 20m antenna. EndFedz has mono or dual band, but can be horizontal, vertical, L or sloper and only needs one tie-off point. I chose the 100 watt 20m over the 10/20/40 model because if the location is poor and band conditions aren't good, that extra 75 watts might come in handy. That is a 6 dB difference. I also considered the 20/40 combo, but the extra $40 was spent on other accessories, and 20m is the best band overall.
If no trees are handy, I also worked on my painter pole. The heavy duty one sits in an RV satellite dish tripod. I added an 8 foot lighter, aluminum pole on top of that, with a pvc "T" in the middle for them to slide into. This makes the total height 22 feet high. I've worked northern Europe at 13-15 feet. *Addendum: I got another painter pole and am going to try to attach them together. That will give me 33 feet if it will stay up with guys and not fall over.
For the final touch, I got a second power supply. I have a big and heavy linear for home use. I got a smaller and light weight Jetstream JTPS28, which will fit in a satchel or pack nicely.
This combination of ways to rig an antenna and run portable isn't quite as fancy as a Buddipole or Buddistick, but it was much cheaper and once the antennas are cut to resonance, there isn't any of that tapping coils.
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