Portable vertical dipole antenna under construction
The 80 meter band was very noisy last night and no contact was established with 2E0KXD. We will be more scientific about making the next contact. Scientific because one has to ensure that everything is in place to support the contact between two stations so far apart like over the ocean. Just down the road say 500 miles it is no problem, that is only 8 degrees away, and most likely still in the same time zone.
I am no big time DXer, but I suspect that most hams with a little seriousness about working DX, on another continent, would have a copy of the Sunrise Sunset book and tables. My copy is by ON4UN / AA401 - 1987, and I consult it occasionally. This puts you right on the money, but still does not guarantee that you will have a contact, but it puts you squarely in the game. Other tools like the clusters also help the bottom line.
According to the SS SR table the UK SS is around 20.40 and the V4 SS is about 22.46. The UK SR is at 03.39 and the V4 SR is at 09.37. I know historically that I begin to hear the EU stations on 40-meters from around 20.00. On 80-meters it is usually later like between 22.00 and 23.00. Cluster data and information when available is very useful.
Construction on the portable 40-meter top and bottom loaded vertical dipole started this morning. The vertical is in the air without the loading wires. When the sun cools down just before sunset, if I don't go bicycling, I may add the hats. I will take some photos tomorrow to show the home brew antenna, built from scrap materials. I will disassemble the antenna and rebuild it taking photos to show the simplicity of the construction. I, myself did not appreciate how super easy it was to build that antenna until just now. If you have two left hands like me it can take 30 minutes or less. Wow!! let me get the camera and take a shot or two.
The vertical in the background [on the right side] on the chain link fence is the V44KF station's 28-ft 40-meter top and bottom loaded vertical dipole antenna. The portable antenna under construction is in the fore ground. On the ground can be seen a part of the bottom section of the Franklyn vertical antenna from a previous project earlier this year. That project was shelved until a safe, reliable and cheap method is found to mount the two verticals in series.
This is the wooden insulator that supports and connects the ground support mast to the aluminum tubing antenna element. This is made from two pieces of lumber from a discarded shipping pallet, nailed together and spray painted. Larger clamps will be used in the final version so that an insulating sleeve can be inserted between the clamps, aluminum tubing and wooden bracket.
The antenna support mast is made from an 8-foot length of square aluminum tubing and is stabilized on the ground by a two foot long piece of 1/2 inch rebar that is hammered into the lawn. On the beach this rebar would have to be longer, like 3 feet or 4 feet, as the beach sand is loose, and at least 2/3 or 3/4 of the stake will have to be underground. One foot above ground is enough for mast / support stability. The ropes here are just to keep the structure from swaying in the breeze. In the real deal the top and bottom loading wires would hold the antenna steady, and it would be wise to guy it into the wind.
This is the Flex radio screen on my Dell computer. I am still test driving it and may spend some time with the manuals during the week. Given the present global economic situation you have to make sure that you are 101% right and correct, there is absolutely no room for error. Even 1% is to much.
I am no big time DXer, but I suspect that most hams with a little seriousness about working DX, on another continent, would have a copy of the Sunrise Sunset book and tables. My copy is by ON4UN / AA401 - 1987, and I consult it occasionally. This puts you right on the money, but still does not guarantee that you will have a contact, but it puts you squarely in the game. Other tools like the clusters also help the bottom line.
According to the SS SR table the UK SS is around 20.40 and the V4 SS is about 22.46. The UK SR is at 03.39 and the V4 SR is at 09.37. I know historically that I begin to hear the EU stations on 40-meters from around 20.00. On 80-meters it is usually later like between 22.00 and 23.00. Cluster data and information when available is very useful.
Construction on the portable 40-meter top and bottom loaded vertical dipole started this morning. The vertical is in the air without the loading wires. When the sun cools down just before sunset, if I don't go bicycling, I may add the hats. I will take some photos tomorrow to show the home brew antenna, built from scrap materials. I will disassemble the antenna and rebuild it taking photos to show the simplicity of the construction. I, myself did not appreciate how super easy it was to build that antenna until just now. If you have two left hands like me it can take 30 minutes or less. Wow!! let me get the camera and take a shot or two.
The vertical in the background [on the right side] on the chain link fence is the V44KF station's 28-ft 40-meter top and bottom loaded vertical dipole antenna. The portable antenna under construction is in the fore ground. On the ground can be seen a part of the bottom section of the Franklyn vertical antenna from a previous project earlier this year. That project was shelved until a safe, reliable and cheap method is found to mount the two verticals in series.
This is the wooden insulator that supports and connects the ground support mast to the aluminum tubing antenna element. This is made from two pieces of lumber from a discarded shipping pallet, nailed together and spray painted. Larger clamps will be used in the final version so that an insulating sleeve can be inserted between the clamps, aluminum tubing and wooden bracket.
The antenna support mast is made from an 8-foot length of square aluminum tubing and is stabilized on the ground by a two foot long piece of 1/2 inch rebar that is hammered into the lawn. On the beach this rebar would have to be longer, like 3 feet or 4 feet, as the beach sand is loose, and at least 2/3 or 3/4 of the stake will have to be underground. One foot above ground is enough for mast / support stability. The ropes here are just to keep the structure from swaying in the breeze. In the real deal the top and bottom loading wires would hold the antenna steady, and it would be wise to guy it into the wind.
This is the Flex radio screen on my Dell computer. I am still test driving it and may spend some time with the manuals during the week. Given the present global economic situation you have to make sure that you are 101% right and correct, there is absolutely no room for error. Even 1% is to much.
Comments