When one epically fails then try, try again eventually success will follow. I want the Top Band really bad and failing to produce an antenna system within antenna lab destroyed whatever pride remained. The Stew Perry Long Distance Challenge fired my imagination, yet, a stove top control panel on a gas range stood between success and failure.
I configured my doublet into a long wire with a 100-foot counterpoise in preparation for the challenge. Likewise, the standing wave ratio shot up when applying greater than 20-watts, suggesting significant impedance problems. My antenna match signaled further trouble when variable capacitor's loaded in the high six range; system struggled to maintain reasonable bandwidth which needed tuning every 10 kilohertz.
Subsequently, my on-going stove top control panel overload problem, stabilized at 15-watts. I would tune every 10 kilohertz and The Top Band was within reach. I could join the Stew Perry Long Distance Challenge, simply, I cared about my output however with 15-watts, the challenge increased in personal value.
An even greater dilemma finally collapsed my effort at a signal on the Top Band. I watched the clumping gray clouds gather through the afternoon. Silent giants of water vapor towered over my long wire and 100-foot counterpoise. I shook my fist. Would they spare me an evening before releasing their wanted water?
Not even a mortal can stand between earth and water. Rain fell and the extra load on the antenna system was too much even at 5-watts. The neighbor's light above the stove came on with the control panel flashing a troublesome error code. I pushed the system and my technical knowledge was not enough to meet this challenge.
Consequently, in the June 2009 issue of QST magazine, I found "The No Excuses 160 Meter Vertical" constructed by John, K6MM a member of the Northern California Contest Club.
Design Features.
- Twenty five foot vertical constructed out of three 10-foot PVC sections bolted together.
- Half wavelength of wire helically wound around the PVC sections.
- Capacitance hat.
- Fed with 50-ohm feedline.
- Cost of parts is less than $90 with 10 hour estimated construction time.
Twenty five feet is an excellent height given my location and going vertical on 160m versus horizontal perhaps is my best solution. My goal is to remove the match whenever possible.
On the other hand, an additional two radials on 15m are on the ground, for a total of eight. My goal is 16 radials per band going into next year. The radial pattern is not optimal however nothing within antenna lab is optimal.
When one epically fails then try, try again and success will eventually follow.
73 from the shackadelic on the beach.P.S. I hope to hear from anyone operating "The
No Excuses 160 Meter Vertical" and your lessons learned.
RadioSport Europe | EUCW 160.
