Since I have been using BOGs since 2001, I will reply with some of my
experiences with them here and on the other msg lists where Jim posted his
test results from yesterday.
I do realize that my experiences with them are different than what lots of
users experience. ..ie from my experiences they work lots better than what
some others have experienced and are more directive than what some others
have experienced.
I also realize that I am risking being burned at the stake for sacrilege for
some of what I will say in various replies about BOGs over the next couple
of days...but I'll risk it.
First of all, what concerns me about Jim's test is that when he put his hand
on his rx, signal levels jumped greatly. I have been using BOGs mostly DXing
out of a car or a truck and have never experienced that. My BOGs pass under
the truck door and then go to the quantum phaser on the passenger's seat. If
I am using the R8A or B I put the phaser on top of the rx on that seat. If
the BOGs enter from the driver's side they pass under my legs. In a few
minutes I will end this post and head out to DX and I am using the E-1 today
as it is easy to use and I just put it in my lap and prop it up against the
steering wheel. Once again..I experience no signal changes due to holding
the rx. Perhaps there's something different about Jim's rx..one which I am
not familiar with. Jim may want to ground his rx to his car chassis although
when I tried that with the R8A it didn't matter.
Jim was DXing in a park It is not practical to put in ground rods in a
public park nor are transformers necessary for this sort of quicky DXped.
I've compared transformers to direct hook up here and directivity is the
same. I did get just a bit more signal..from the transformer..but the dB or
two gain due VSWR improvement from transforming about 250 ohms to 50 isn't
going to get you any better domestic DX at night.
As for Jim noticing those DFW stations of the side of the antenna I cannot
say why, but it would useful to compare to a BOG aimed south right at DFW
from OKC. I will say that skip can start early and especially on the high
end..ie his 1600 Asian format.. from DFW.
Phasing two that are parallel and of different lengths so that you don't
phase cancel everything turns even short BOGs into a world class antenna
system. Right now I have about 325 ft // 195 ft aimed about 320 degrees. I
did a quick test at 5:15 which is two hours prior to Fargo sunset. I phase
nulled Chicago 1200 but there was no KFNW yet. However, and without
retweaking the phaser when I tuned up to 1660 Fargo was dominant and with no
tweak of phase or amplitude. Reducing the phasing or switching to a single
wire had Fargo lost into a clearly stronger mix of the Palatine TIS and the
Michigan stn on 1660. Phased BOGs work MUCH MUCH better than a single one
here in the RF jungle that is the mdwest. The back end null tends to be nice
and remains good over at least a +/- 45 degree angle from he direct back
end.
I'll close by stating that my experiences are with BOGs on nicely cut
grass...ie cut like a lawn or a football field or across dirt or much up my
driveways..ie ON THE GROUND..rather than across foot high grasses and
undergrowth in forests etc.
At these lengths, directivity is greater on the high end.
73 KAZ Barrington IL..but it will soon seem like I am DXing in MN on that
direction Phased BOG System
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nick Hall-Patch" <[email protected]>
To: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: [IRCA] BOG (Beverage On the Ground) test today: mixed results
(w/log)
At 05:03 9/27/2009, you wrote:
I tried out a BOG (Beverage On the Ground) on the MW BCB band for the
first time today. Here are some of the details and results.
The nuts and bolts: I used my Yaesu FT-897D, and a 500' spool of
stranded 14 gauge green ground wire purchased (for $25) from Lowe's.
I simply stripped the insulation from about an inch of one end of the
wire, folded the stripped section in half, and inserted it into the center
conductor hole in the SO-239.
Hi Jim,
I suspect your BOG signal strengths and perhaps directivity might have
benefited from using a matching transformer and perhaps a separate ground
for the antenna from the receiver ground.
There are a number of references available, for example:
http://www.seed-solutions.com/gregordy/Amateur%20Radio/Experimentation/Beverage.htm
(look at the "Basic Beverage Antenna" schematic as it shows the concept of
using a separate ground; termination is optional)
http://www.isp.ca/ve3nh/rxant.htm (although I wonder about the -61
material recommended here)
http://n1eu.com/topband/BeverageXfmrs.htm
and the detailed information on building them at
http://www.dxing.info/equipment/
Commercial versions are available also, usually at premium prices.
You didn't seem to have noise problems at that site, which a transformer
and separate ground would be most useful in mitigating, but it would be
interesting to see whether signal strengths and directivity also improve.
best wishes,
Nick
*****************************
Nick Hall-Patch
Victoria, BC
Canada
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