Friday, October 29, 2010

CALLING FREQUENCIES HF To 6M -- DX, DXpedition, SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, SSTV

Note: By tradition, 20M and up is Upper Sideband, 40M and below is Lower Sideband. An exception is the new 60M Ham Band -- use USB. This protocol came about as a matter of convenience in early SSB transceiver design and has remained to this day. And yes - you can operate either sideband legally where phone is allowed. And yes you can operate CW on the phone bands -- but best stay with the protocols. See URL:

CONSIDERATE OPERATOR FREQ GUIDE
AND URL:
USA AMATEUR RADIO BAND PLANS

160 METERS
1.810 QRP CW Calling frequency
1828.5 -- DXpeditions CW Operations are frequently here
1.830-1.840 CW, RTTY and other narrowband modes, intercontinental QSOs only

1.840-1.850 CW, SSB, SSTV and other wideband modes, intercontinental QSOs only
1.825 - SSB QRP Calling Freq
1910 - SSB QRP Calling Freq
PSK31


80/75 METERS
3.500-3.510 CW DX Window
3.505 DXpeditions CW are frequently here

3.560 QRP CW Calling frequency
3.590 RTTY DX
3.790-3.800 SSB DX Window
3.710 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Freq
3.845 SSTV
3.885 AM Calling Frequency
3.799 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here
3.985 QRP SSB Calling frequency
PSK31


60 METERS -- SEE ARRL WEBSITE

On 60M - CH5 is the unofficial DX calling frequency!


40 METERS
7.000 - 7.010 CW DX Window
7037 Pactor Calling frequency
7.040 RTTY DX
7.040 QRP CW Calling Freq
7.050 XTAL Controlled Rigs

7.290 AM
7.065 DXpedition SSB USA split to 7.150 and above
7.005 DXpeditions CW are frequently here
7.110 QRP Novice/Tech CW Calling Frequency
7.171 SSTV
7.285 QRP SSB Calling frequency
7.290 AM Calling frequency
PSK31


30 METERS
10.106 QRP CW Calling frequency
10.110 -- DXpeditions CW are frequently here
PSK31


20 METERS
14.025 DXpedition CW Freq -- Usually Split
14.060 QRP CW Calling frequency

14.080 DXpedition RTTY Freq
14.080 to 14.100 Primary Range for RTTY

14.100 NCDXF Beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. For Details - see NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Network

14.195 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
14.230,
14233, 14236 SSTV
14.285 QRP SSB Calling frequency
14.286 AM Calling Frequency
14.336 MHz County Hunters when ever 20 is open and mobiles are around. For More County Hunters Frequencies see --
COUNTY HUNTERS
PSK31


17 METERS
18.075 DXpeditions CW are frequently here -- Usually Split
18.080 CW QRP Calling Freq
18.110 NCDXF Beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. For Details - see NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Network
18.130 SSB QRP Calling Freq

18.145 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here -- Usually Split
PSK31


15 METERS
21.025 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here - Generally Listening Up-Split
21.060 QRP CW calling frequency
21.080 to 21.100 RTTY Primary Range
21.080 RTTY DXpeditions are frequently here
21.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling Freq
21.150 NCDXF/IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. For Details - see NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Network

21.295 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
21.340, 21430 SSTV
21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency
PSK31


12 METERS
24.895 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate CW Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
24,910 QRP CW Calling FREQ
24.930 NCDXF Beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. For Details - see NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Network
24.950 QRP SSB Calling Freq

24.945 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split
PSK31


10 METERS
28.025 CW Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here – Split
28.060 QRP CW Calling frequency

28.080 RTTY Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.080 to 28.100 Primary Range for RTTY
28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency
28.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling FREQ
28.190-28.225 Beacons

28.200 NCDXF/IARU beacons (STAY OFF OF THIS FREQUENCY) Many Hams rely on these beacons for propagation determination. For Details - see NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Network

28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency
28.385 QRP SSB Calling frequency
28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency – Another is 28.400
28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split
28.600 Old General Callin Frequency - Still used by Old Timers
28.675~28.685 SSTV Operating Frequency -- IARU Region 1
28.680 SSTV Operations USA/Canada
28.825 10-10 Backskatter Net - Paper Chasers Net
28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions.
28.945 FAX Operating Frequency
29.000-29.200 AM Operations
29.300-29.510 Satellite Downlinks
29.520-29.580 Repeater Inputs
29.600 FM Simplex - Calling Frequency
29.620-29.680 Repeater Outputs
PSK31


SIX METER FREQUENCIES
50.06-50.09 Beacons
50.0-50.1 CW

50.090 CW Calling Freq
50.06 QRP CW Calling Freq
50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency
50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here.
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here For Local and Across Country
50.1-50.6 Weak Signal, AM
50.260 is the WSJT Meteor Scatter calling frequency
in the USA
50.270 FSK Meteorscatter
50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)
50.385 USB PSK31
50.4 National AM Simplex Frequency
50.885 QRP SSB Calling Freq
51.910 FM Internet Linking
52.525 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency

6 Meter Simplex Frequencies --51.500 51.520 51.540 51.560 51.580 51.600 52.490 52.510 52.525* 52.540 52.550 52.570 52.590

A Typical 6 Meter Band Plan.

(May Vary From Region to Region)

50.000 - 50.100 CW, Beacons

50.100 - 50.300 SSB, CW
50.100 - 50.125 DX Window
50.125 SSB Calling Frequency

50.260 WSJT Calling Frequency

50.270 FSK Meteorscatter

50.290 PSK31 (SSB)

50.300 - 50.600 All Modes

50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)

50.400 AM Calling Frequency

50.600 - 50.800 Digital

50.680 SSTV
50.800 - 51.000 Remote Control
51.000 - 51.100 Pacific DX Window
51.120 - 51.180 Digital

51.120 PSK31 (FM)

51.200 - 51.480 FM Repeater Inputs
51.500 - 51.600FM Simplex
51.620 - 51.680 Digital
51.700 - 51.980 FM Repeater Outputs

52.020 - 52.040 FM Simplex
52.060 - 52.480 FM Repeater Inputs
52.525 FM Simplex Calling Frequency
52.540 FM Simplex

52.560 - 52.980 FM Repeater Outputs
53.000 - 53.020 FM Simplex
53.040 - 53.480 FM Repeater Inputs

53.100 Remote Control
53.200 Remote Control
53.300 Remote Control
53.400 Remote Control

53.500 Remote Control
53.520 FM Simplex
53.540 - 53.980 FM Repeater Outputs

53.600 Remote Control
53.700 Remote Control
53.800 Remote Control
53.900 FM Simplex


VHF TO DAYLIGHT BEACONS, CALLING AND SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES

VHF TO DAYLIGHT BEACONS -- 2 meters to 1 centimeter

Repeater Pairs and Simplex Frequencies - From The South Eastern Repeater Association

CALLING FREQUENCIES -- Courtesy of Rob Bellville and the Lincoln Amateur Radio Club
2M CW......... 144.100 MHz
2M QRP CW Calling Freq ----144.060
2M PSK ........ 144.144 to 144.150
2M SSB........ 144.200 MHz
2M QRP SSB Calling Freq ---- 144.285
2M FM......... 146.520 MHz (National Simplex Freq)
1.25M PSK .... 222.07 to 222.15
1.25M CW..... 222.100 MHz
1.25M SSB.... 222.100 MHz
1.25M FM..... 223.500 MHz
70cm SSB...... 432.100 MHz
70cm PSK ..... 432.2 and up
70cm FM....... 446.000 MHz
33cm CW/SSB.. 903.100 MHz
33cm FM...... 906.500 MHz
23cm FM...... 1294.500 MHz
23cm CW/SSB..1296.100 MHz
13cm CW/SSB..2304.100 MHz


VHF/UHF/SHF SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES
2 METERS
146.400, 146.415, 146.430, 146.445, 146.460, 146.475, 146.490, 146.505, 146.535, 146.550, 146.565, 146.580, 146.595, 147.405, 147.420, 147.435, 147.450, 147.465, 147.480, 147.495, 147.510, 147.525, 147.540, 147.555, 147.570, 147.585
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the JPLARC in Southern California

144.31 to 144.375, unchannelized, 144.405 to 144.475, unchannelized 144.49 (International Space Station uplink: transmit here & listen to 145.80 for the downlink)
145.51 to 145.595, unchannelized
145.71 to 145.785 in 15 kHz steps (for fixed simplex base station use, i.e. IRLP, Echolink)
146.43 (ATV simplex only), 146.52 (national simplex), 146.535, 146.55 146.565 (local ARDF freq.; usable when there is no "T hunt" in progress) 146.58, 146.595, 147.48, 147.51, 147.525, 147.54, 147.555, 147.57


1.25 METERS
223.420, 223.440, 223.460, 223.480, 223.520, 223.540, 223.560, 223.580, 223.600, 223.620, 223.640, 223.660, 223.680, 223.700, 223.720, 223.740 ,223.760, 223.780, 223.800, 223.820, 223.840


70 CM
445.9125 445.9250 445.9375 445.9500 445.9625 445.9750 445.9875 446.0000 *
446.0125 446.0250 446.0375 446.0500 446.0625 446.0750 446.0875 446.1000
446.1125 446.1250 446.1375 446.1500 446.1625 446.1750
* 446.000 is the National FM Voice Simplex Calling Frequency


900 MHz
National “Traditional” FM Voice Simplex Channels
(also for use with 25 MHz duplex offset radios)
906.000 to 907.000 MHz - channel every 25 KHz
906.500 - National Calling Frequency


1.2 GHz
1294.00 - 1295.00 Narrow Band FM simplex, every 25 KHz
1294.50 National simplex calling channel

QRP CALLING FREQUENCIES -- USA

Qrp Power : The Best Recent Qrp Articles from Qst, Qex and the Arrl Handbook -- by Joel Kleinman (Editor), Zack Lau (Editor)
Buy the Book Today!

BAND

CW

SSB

160M

CW--1.810

SSB -- 1.910

80M

CW-- 3.560

SSB --3.985

80M

CW-- 3.579 (Colorburst Crystal Frequency)

--

80M

CW--3.710 (Novice)

--

40M

CW--7.040 NOTE 1.

SSB --7.285

40M

CW--7.035 (QRP-L)

--

40M

CW--7.110 (Novice)

--

40M

CW--7.112 (NorCal crystals)

--

30M

CW--10.106

--

30M

CW-- 10.116 (QRP-L)

--

20M

CW-- 14.060

SSB --14.285

17M

CW--18.096

SSB --18.130

15M

CW--21.060

SSB --21.385

15M

CW-- 21.110 (Novice)

--

12M

CW--24.906

SSB --24.950

10M

CW--28.060

SSB -- 28.885

10M

CW--28.110 (Novice)

SSB --28.385 (Novice)

6M

CW-- 50.060

SSB --50.885

2M

CW--144.060

SSB --144.285

2M

--

FM--144.585

NOTE 1. The ARRL Band Plan designates this as a RTTY DX frequency. See URL:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bandplan.html#40m

QRP CALLING FREQUENCIES -- EUROPE

Qrp Power : The Best Recent Qrp Articles from Qst, Qex and the Arrl Handbook -- by Joel Kleinman (Editor), Zack Lau (Editor)
Buy the Book Today!

BAND

CW

SSB

160M

--

SSB --1.843

80M

--

SSB --3.690

80M

--

SSB --3.690

40M

CW--7.030

SSB --7.090

40M

CW--7.060

--

15M

--

SSB --21.285

10M

--

SSB -- 28.360

6M

--

SSB --50.285

ISLAND HUNTER FREQUENCIES (IOTA) IOTA CW: 3.530, 7.030, 10.115, 14.040, 18.098 and 21.040 MHz
IOTA SSB: 3.755, 7.060, 14.260,
18.128, 21.260, 24.950, 28.460 and 28.560 MHz
US Island Hunters: 7.250, 14.250 to 14.260 (main), 21.350, 28.450 MHz
CW - anywhere.

COUNTY HUNTERS NETS AND CALLING FREQUENCIES
From The County Hunter Web

County hunters usually can be found participating in the Emergency and Mobile County Hunters Net. This net is in operation almost any time band conditions allow. Generally, these times are 1300 to 2200 UTC, but they can be extended when there are active mobiles.

The primary SSB operating frequency of the county hunting net is 14.336 MHz, and is considered the net home frequency. A secondary net usually is in operation at 7.185 MHz, except between 1545 to 1700 UTC, when it moves to 7.243 MHz. Occassionally, mobile operators will shift to other bands. The usual frequency on 75 meters is 3.903 MHz, while 15 and 10 meters are at 21.338 MHz and 28.336 MHz

The CW operating frequencies of the CW net can be found at 14.0565 MHz on 20 meters and 7.0385 on 40 meters. The frequency on 30m is 10.1225 These nets are not as active but put out a call, and someone will usually come back. The abbreviation "CHN" is used to designate the net.

COMMON PSK31 FREQUENCIES

The plan for PSK31 activity has always been (since PSK31 started) to concentrate activity starting from the bottom edge of the IARU RTTY bandplan, expanding upwards as activity increased. The exception is in the 10 mts band in order to give non full privileges ham to meet. It was defined as 150 Hz above it. Keep in mind that all you need is about 100 Hz as channel separation.

These recommended frequencies are in accordance with the IARU bandplan for region 1. There may be differences for regions 2 and 3

1838.150
3580.150
7035.15 for region 1 and region 3, and 7080.15 for region 2 *
10142.150
14070.150
18100.150
21080.150 (although most activity can be found 10 kHz lower)
24920.150
28120.150

* This is due to the fact that the 7 MHz band is much wider in region 2 (the Americas), and the IARU bandplan reflects this.


HF Portable Calling Frequencies

BAND

CW/Data

SSB

160M

--

SSB -- 1.8495 LSB (Regions 1 & 3)

160M

CW/Data -- 1.8075

SSB -- 1.9125 LSB (USA)

80M

--

SSB -- 3.6875 LSB (Regions 1 & 3)

80M

CW/Data -- 3.5775

SSB -- 3.9975 LSB (USA)

40M

--

SSB -- 7.0875 LSB (Regions 1 & 3)

40M

CW/Data -- 7.0675

SSB -- 7.2475 LSB (USA)

30M

CW -- 10.1175

--

30M

CW/Data -- 10.1375

--

20M

CW/Data -- 14.0975

SSB -- 14.3425 USB

17M

CW/Data -- 18.1075

SSB -- 18.1575 USB

15M

CW/Data -- 21.1075

SSB -- 21.4375 USB

12M

CW/Data -- 24.9275

SSB -- 24.9775 USB

10M

CW/Data -- 28.1075

SSB -- 28.3375 USB

6M

--

SSB -- 50.1625 USB

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Looking for HomeBrew Antenna Design??

Well.. here is bunch of them..

1. http://www.hamuniverse.com/antennas.html
2. http://www.ac6v.com/antprojects.htm
3. http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/VHF_UHF/
4. http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/Homebrewing_Techniques/
5. http://iwcweb.com/ham/html/antenna2.html
6. http://www.ve3sqb.com/
7. http://members.fortunecity.com/xe1bef/hf-antennas.htm
8. http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=11183
9. http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?cheap-yagi-antennas-for-vhf-uhf,93
10. http://www.digitalham.co.uk/
11. http://www.w5dxp.com/notuner.htm

The G5RV Multiband HF Antenna

Over the last few decades, the G5RV antenna has become one of the most popular and widely used "all around" multi-band antennas in the world. Even though it is a "compromise" antenna, it has good overall performance on most hf ham bands when used with an external tuner, and allows coax as an entry feedline to the radio equipment eliminating the need and hassle of ladder line or twinlead. It should be noted that some internal tuners just don't have enough range to "tune" it.

It was invented in 1946 by Louis Varney, whose call sign is G5RV ("SK" on June 28, 2000, age 89). Hence the name, the G5RV antenna.

The basic G5RV antenna measures only 102 feet across the top for 80 thru 10 meter operation, and is fed at the center through a low loss 34 feet feed-stub.

The interaction between the radiating section and the feed-stub makes the G5RV usually easy to match on all-bands from 80 through 10 meters with an ordinary low-cost antenna tuner.

In spite of small size, it provides "almost" dipole equivalent coverage on 80 and 40 meters. From 20 on it favors DX with four to six low angle lobes reaching out in all directions which makes it a very popular antenna on the higher frequency bands. Many hams swear by them and many swear AT them due to tuning difficulties that some have.

G5RV DIAGRAM


THE ANTENNA LENGTH :
The design center frequency of the full-size version (configured as a 3/2-wave dipole on 20m) is 14.150 MHz, and the dimension of 102 ft is derived from the formula for long-wire antennas which is :

TOTAL LENGTH IN FEET = 492 X (N - 0.05)) / F(MHZ)
So we have:

492 x ........

N - 0.05 = 3 - 0.05 = 2.95 ("N" is the number of 1/2 wave lengths)

Continuing with the formula:

492 x 2.95 = 1451.4

1451.4 / 14.15mhz = 102.57 feet total length (51 feet per half)


In practice, since the whole system will be brought to a low swr for use by the transmitter with the use of an antenna "tuner", the antenna is cut to 102ft (31.1m).
In some cases, this is still too long to fit in the required space. In this case, a half-size version, covering 7 to 28 MHz is still very usable. This is sometimes called the "JR" version if bought commercially.

Conversely, some amateurs would like to have 1.8 MHz capability, and have the 204 ft ( 62.2 m ) length necessary for the G5RV antenna.

The antenna does not need to be put up as a flat-top (horizontal fashion), but can be installed as an inverted-V.
If the antenna is raised as an inverted-V, the included angle at the apex should not be less than 120 degrees.

The center of the antenna should be as high as possible, of course, and the matching section should descend at a right angle to the antenna.

THE ALL IMPORTANT MATCHING SECTION :
The matching section may be designed in several ways.

Open Wire :
This is the preferred construction using open-wire feeder for minimum loss, as this section always carries a standing wave on it. Due to the standing wave, the actual impedance is unimportant.

Ladder Line (Window-type line) :
The next most desirable matching section would be made from window-type open wire line, either 300-ohm, or 450-ohm. This is basically a ribbon line, like heavy duty TV-type twin lead, with #16 to #20 wire, and "windows" cut in the insulation every 4 to 6 inches. The advantage of the "window" line is that the conductors won't short together if the line twists in a high wind due to it's construction.

"TV" Twin Lead :
The main disadvantage of the TV-type twin lead is durability. The advantage of it is that it is readily available at electronics outlets although it is getting more scarce.
Do not use the "shielded" twin lead. The shield will interact in the matching section, especially on 3.5 or 7 MHz.

MATCHING SECTION LENGTH :
The length of the matching section is an ELECTRICAL half-wave on 14 MHz. The actual physical length is determined by the following formula
:

LENGTH ( in feet ) = ( 492 x VF ) / f (MHz) ( VF = the velocity factor of the matching section )
The velocity factor is determined by the type of line, and the dielectric properties of it's insulation.
For the three types of line discussed so far, the VF is :

Open wire = 0.97
Ladder line (Window line) = 0.90
"TV" twin lead = 0.82
Note that these velocity factors may differ between various suppliers so it is best that you check the specifications of the type that you use. Also remember that your tuner will make up for any minor differences.

By substituting the VF in the formula, and calculating for a center frequency of 14.15 MHz, you come up with the following matching section lengths :
Open wire = 33.7 ft ( 10.28 m )
Ladder line (Window line) = 31.3 ft ( 9.54 m )
"TV" twin lead = 28.5 ft ( 8.69 m )

Here is the math for those who need an example:

Let's use TV type twinlead in ours.
VF of TV type twinlead is .82

So.....Length in feet for matching section (total) = 492 X .82 / Fmhz =

492 x .82 = 403.44

403.44 / 14.15mhz = 28.51 feet for TV type twinlead

FULL-SIZE, DOUBLE-SIZE and HALF-SIZE (sometimes called the "J
R":

Band Coverage

3.5 - 28 MHz (most popular)

1.8 - 28 MHz

7 - 28 MHz

Length of Antenna

102 ft ( 31.1 m )

204 ft ( 62.2 m )

51 ft ( 15.55 m )

Matching section :

- Open wire

33.7 ft ( 10.28 m )

67.5 ft ( 20.56 m )

16.9 ft ( 5.14 m )

- Ladder line

31.3 ft ( 9.54 m )

62.6 ft ( 19.08 m )

15.6 ft ( 4.77 m )

- "TV" twin lead

28.5 ft ( 8.69 m )

57 ft ( 17.38 m )

14.3 ft ( 4.35 m )



Band characteristics of the G5RV:

3.5Mhz. On this band each half of the "flat-top" plus about 17ft (5.18m) of each leg on the matching-section forms a shortened or slightly folded up half-wave dipole. The rest of the matching-section acts as an unwanted but unavoidable reactance between the electrical center of the dipole and the feeder to the antenna tuner. The polar diagram is effectively that of a half wave antenna.

7Mhz. The "flat-top or horizontal section" plus 16ft (4.87m) of the matching section now functions as a partially-folded-up "two half-wave in phase" antenna producing a polar diagram with a somewhat sharper lobe pattern than a half-wave dipole due to its colinear characteristics. Again, the matching to a 75 ohm twinlead or 50/80 ohm coaxial feeder at the base of the matching section is degraded somewhat by the unwanted reactance of the lower half of the matching section but, despite this, by using a suitable antenna tuner the system loads well and radiates very effectively
on this band
.

10Mhz. On this band the antenna functions as a two half-wave in-phase collinear array, producing a polar diagram virtually the same as on 7mhz. A reactive load is presented to the feeder at the base of the matching section but, as for 7mhz, the
performance is very effective.

14Mhz. At this frequency the conditions are ideal. The "flat-top" forms a three-half-wave long center-fed antenna which produces a multi-lobe polar diagram with most of its radiated energy in the vertical plane at an angle of about 14 degrees, which is very effective for dx working. Since the radiation resistance at the center of a three-half-wave long-wire antenna supported at a height of half-wave above ground of average conductivity is about 90 ohm, and the 34ft (10.36m) matching section now functions as a 1:1 impedance transformer, a feeder of anything between 75 and 80 ohm characteristic impedance will "see" a non-reactive (ie resistive) load of about this value at the base of the matching section, so that the vswr on the feeder will be very nearly 1:1. Even the use of 50 ohm coaxial feeder will result in a vswr of only about 1.8:1. It is here assumed that 34ft (10.36m) is a reasonable average antenna
height in amateur installations.

18Mhz. The antenna functions as two full-wave antennas fed in phase; combining the broadside gain of a two-element collinear array with somewhat lower zenith
angle of radiation than a half-wave dipole due to its long-wire characteristic.

21Mhz. On this band the antenna works as a "long-wire" of five half-waves, producing a multi-lobe polar diagram with very effective low zenith angle radiation. Although a high resistive load is presented to the feeder at the base of the make-up section, the system loads very well when used in conjunction with a suitable antenna tuner and radiates very effectively for dx contacts.

24Mhz. The antenna again functions effectively as a five-half-wave "long-wire" but, because of the shift in the positions of the current anti-nodes on the flat-top and the matching section, now presents a much lower resistive load condition to the feeder connected to its lower end than it does on 21mhz. The polar diagram is multi-lobed with low zenith angle radiation.

28Mhz. On this band, the antenna functions as two "long-wire" antenna, each of three half-waves, fed in-phase. The polar diagram is similar to that of a three half-wave "long-wire" but with even more gain over a half-wave dipole due to the collinear effect obtained by feeding two three-half-wave antennas, in line and in close proximity, in phase.

Construction notes and tips:

1. The matching section is connected to the center of the antenna as with any ordinary dipole antenna, and allowed to descend vertically at least 20 ft or more, if possible.
It can then be bent and tied off to a suitable post or line, and connected to the coaxial cable and run to the antenna tuner.

2.
At the junction of the matching section and the coax, it is highly recommended that this junction is well sealed from rain, ice, snow, etc. Also provide a strain relief support for the entire junction section to prevent breakage here. This area will be prone to breakage by wind twisting.

3. A good center insulator support to provide strain relief for the matching section is also recommended.

4. Under certain conditions, either due to the inherent "unbalanced-to-balanced" effect caused by the direct connection of a coaxial feeder to the end of the (balanced) matching section, or other causes, a current may flow on the outside of the coaxial outer conductor. This effect may be considerably reduced, or eliminated, by winding the coaxial cable feeder into a coil of 8 to 10 turns about 6 inches in diameter immediately below the point of connection of the coaxial cable to the end of the matching section. The first and last turns should not touch and the coil should be taped securely to help prevent this. Some builders use this, some don't.

5. If you use regular TV type twinlead for the matching section, it's probably a good idea that you do not run much over 100 watts of power due to high swr on the feedline. Do not tape the matching section to a metal mast or pole.

Acknowledgements:

G5RV

Portions edited from RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, JULY 1984

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