Well, I actually have three reasons why I think the root of this
discussion has been misguided:
1. Typical portable operation is for casual fun while camping or just
enjoying the outdoors. Squeezing out every last dB doesn't quite fit
that scenario.
2. If you are trying to squeeze out every last dB for whatever reason,
using an AX1 with 50 feet of coax and an extra tuner isn't the way to do
it. There are better choices for the same size and weight budget.
3. And if you are using the AX1 with its very high Q, there are lots of
other variables (length of counterpoise, terrain, height above ground,
proximity to other detuning influences, etc) that will have far more
impact on transmitted signal strength than a couple of extra dB loss due
to SWR on the coax. Wayne made pretty much the same comment in the
context of SWR, but the same holds for signal strength.
Use whatever you want. It makes no difference to me other than the
misconceptions that come with it. I've done a LOT of portable operation
over the years, and my first priority has always been to put up the best
antenna I could within whatever constraints I had at the time. I don't
own an AX1 but it appears to be a fine antenna for its intended purpose,
which was essentially a backpacker antenna usable even for pedestrian
mobile. However, if I was on a camping trip (tent, cooler, etc) and
wanted to get out better, I can think of better options. I do own a KX2
and I use it with a homebrew 20m vertical that I can easily carry in one
hand for miles (five 4' sections of lightweight tubing, one of which is
for elevating the radials) and set up in fewer minutes than I have fingers.
73,
Dave AB7E
On 8/8/2019 6:51 AM, w7...@cox.net wrote:
Dave And All,
Hmmm! I don't quite understand that statement. Why would you worry about
every dB at your home station but not necessarily be concerned on a portable
setup??? I guess maybe you are saying that, when operating portable, just
get the best antenna possible as opposed to a lesser one. Well, that's
ideally true, but "you do with what you got"! Whatever antenna you might
have for portable use, you want to squeeze every dB you can out of it! I
tend to think it could be even more important when operating portable since
you already apt to be weaker, and that last dB may be the one that gets you
heard! Home station operators might actually ignore such issues since they
may already be more than loud enough to be heard. QRP/portable operators
tend to not have that luxury.
Dave W7AQK
-------------------------------------------------
From: David Gilbert <xda...@cis-broadband.com
<mailto:xda...@cis-broadband.com> >
Doesn't much matter.? You're still talking a 3 dB difference at most (50
feet vs 30 feet), and while I will be the first to argue the benefit of
every single dB for normal station operation (see
http://www.ab7e.com/weak_signal/mdd.html), I don't understand the angxt
over that 3 dB for portable operation.? If that's actually a concern,
bring a better antenna.
73,
Dave?? AB7E
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