Finally I was able to erect new antennas for 160/80m and for the high bands. The new ones give big difference on the bands although I have to learn how to use them. This is a "new world" with these stuffs...
I put up a full wave horizontal delta loop for 80m. The main support is the 15m high tower the two other ends have two 9m high masts built from wood for this trial period and will be replaced with aluminum masts for the permanent operation. The delta works extremely well in Eu but the US became easier too.
The second improvement is one Inv-L for the top band with 13m high vertical section and 2 elevated radials. The design is based on this description on the top band reflector. The tuning was as easy as it's written in the article and the SWR was set quickly. The experiences are good I heard states side which was impossible so far with the previous antenna (like something) and in the EUHF this band was the most effective despite of huge QRN.
My tower finally has had the reason of its existence... The Dunax YN-33 3 element tribander was installed after the IARU (Big thanks goes to my Father for his kind help). The design and construction of the antenna is great it's very robust and has already survived the first ~100 km/hour wind recently. The elements don't shake almost at all only very little degree. There is big difference compared to the vertical obviously which is very well recognizable from the final scores. The rotator control and indicator remained only to fix. This was one of the drawbacks of the IOTA and EUHF as the antenna was fixed on north/north-west.
I had a FT-857D trx recently mainly to keep me busy during my trips but it's very suitable as second radio. Unfortunately I had a miscarriage with the first version of SO2R audio switch box which was pretty costly in the last IOTA but the radio will be good to do the contests seriously. It's amazing how to put a 100W HF/VHF/UHF trx into such a small box with 2.1kg overall...
73!
Csaba HA3LN |
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