Thanks everyone! Larry's was great, quickly actionable advice. I’ll do this the next time I go out. I don’t have a shack, and am still hunting around for a spot where I can try some of the other great suggestions (that I can fit in my backpack and if I actually find a spot where I can string up a wire.
I do use a wire counterpoise for both my wire and Buddistick and try to keep it off the ground except for the end. Yes, I have an older copy of the antenna book and I’m in the transmission lines chapter. I guess I should just skip ahead to the long wire chapter. Given all the advice, I’m going to continue to try to find a good wire antenna deployment given the random locations I tend to drop in at. Thanks all! Michael K2MAW > On Sep 29, 2016, at 8:34 AM, Bill <k9...@live.com> wrote: > > That's great advice, Larry! > > Bill > K9YEQ > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Larry > Gauthier (K8UT) > > The most likely answer is "it depends." Despite the theoretical differences > between the antennas, there are situational differences where one will > out-perform the other: quality of ground, height, propagation, direction to > receiving station... > > BUT, you can measure those differences yourself. Tune-up on the Buddistick > in the CW portion and send the string "test test de <your callsign> <your > callsign>". Move your VFO 5 KHz and send the same string on the random wire. > > Then open your browser to the Reverse Beacon Network's search page and enter > > your callsign. > http://www.reversebeacon.net/srch.php > Compare your received signal strength on each antenna by the stations who > heard you. Run the test a few times to minimize QSB and propagation fading. > > What do you get? The results ("which is better?") may be different as you > move from one location to another. If you can carry both antennas use the > one that's working. > > -larry (K8UT) > -----Original Message----- > From: Michael A. Wong > > Hey folks, > > KX3 and Buddistick owner here. I've been getting a lot of feedback that I > would get better performance (more contacts) with a random wire vs my > Buddistick. So, while I've noticed that reception is much better with the > wire, with the Buddistick, I get 1.1:1 according to the KX3 and have made > all my contacts with the Buddistick. > > Now, recognizing the DIY nature of our hobby might lead people to recommend > a random wire over a commercial antenna, if I actually manage to deploy the > wire "optimally", should I really see performance equal or outpace the > Buddistick? Or am I simply finding bad luck the times I try to get a QSO > over a wire? > > I've tried deploying from a 30' pole sloping down, the hypotenuse of the > triangle pointing to my desired direction. I tried deploying 40+ feet > between two trees about 12' off the ground. Now I'm going to get a Zebco 202 > > and rig up my slingshot to deploy vertical. But honestly, I can get the > Buddistick up and running in about 3 minutes.... > > Mainly, I'm on 20m and maybe I haven't read the right book on random wire > antennas, but I would appreciate the group's thoughts. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to michaelw...@mac.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
