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| Typical simple CB setup with 50cm antenna. |
I got this idea when reading G3XBM Roger's blog.
I quote one of his latest posts:
I suspect with a higher antenna (possibly a beam) I might spot signals 10dB weaker. No doubt the "big guns" will be working 10m FT8 signals I cannot even spot! I have absolutely no intention of erecting a mast and beam. If I miss some does it matter? No.
Roger just accepts the fact that he's using an antenna that doesn't receive everything possible. Yet he still receives stations from Africa and South America on 10m. And when propagation is good he might be spotted by those stations as well.
Then a challenge came up in my mind. What would be possible with a 1W transmitter and an one radiator antenna which is 50cm long. What band (on HF), what mode, what location is not important. But the 1W and 50cm long antenna would be the same for everyone. What distance would be possible? I'm thinking about a challenge here for 2022. Who's interested?
Rules would be very simple:
Obtain a confirmation from a 2-way QSO over the longest distance you can with 1W and an one radiator antenna with a length of 50cm (unlimited number of groundwires). Any radio, any polarisation, any mode, any band on HF, any location, any confirmation system. Simple as that!
I have to think about a reward for the winner of this challenge! If there are a few participants I would post the results every month for updates.
Of course people can cheat, if you can live with it....I can't. But better be honest to yourself and to others. It is no matter of live and death. Just playing radio!
Biggest challenge will be designing an efficient 50cm antenna to radiate as much energy as you can. And best location would probabely near water or on a very high mountain? High building? And which mode would be suitable? CW? FT8? Q65? What do you think?
(Update 20-Okt.: changed the rules a bit to play fair with CB operators. Tnx PA1SDB for the tip ;-))
(Update 24-Okt.: due to some interesting ideas I think I seriously have to look into organising this challenge including a reward. Check for details in december.
22 comments:
Hmmm. Interesting idea. I could be tempted to try this.
At least this antenna would fit on my balcony.
73,
Paul VA3ZC
Hmmm, sounds fun. No chance of being competitive because of work demands, but it's about participating and experimenting, so yes - I'd give it a go!
73, Tom, M7MCQ.
www.m7mcq.com
Would be great if you could participate. Will think and post about the details in december, keep an eye on my blog. 73, Bas
Hello Tom, it is not about winning. It's about participating. Although I will think about a reward to encourage people to take part. 73, Bas
I'm Interested, I'll think about it how to win this challenge :-) De PA1SDB
well --i am on board--possible to take 12m with AM modulation-maybe change to eleven 27.555 and USB
I think I've to shape the rules a bit. Contacts outside planet earth are not counting ;-). 73, Bas
You're welcome. I think with goog propagation you have same possebilities on 11m as on 10m and 12m, 73, Bas
I'm in! So long as 'radials' are not, in fact, the radiators! Radials should also be limited to 50cm - should be fine, as most of the ground current is within 1/10 wave of the radiator. I will be using the beach to enhance my chances, though ;-)
One more point on the rules: how about allowing magnetic loops, but with the 50cm limit being the diameter, rather than the length of the radiator? Just an idea for diversity - I understand the attraction of your original limit!
I only have a uBITX here in netherlands and on 10M it powers 2W if the antenna is eficient, also have a hf mobile antenna for 9 bands.
I think i will give a try.
You got a point John.....just what I commented above I have to shape the rules. ANy ideas are welcome. 73, Bas
That could be something possible to think about. Like I wrote any ideas....73, Bas
I guess you can put it down to 1W lowering the voltage to this set. Not shure, not familiar with the uBITX. You're welcome. Keep an eye on my blog in december for the final rules. 73, Bas
Nice challenge, I am going to think about the idea to participate.
You're welcome Johan...73, Bas
I'm also interested in Magnetic loops but to be fair the circumference of the loop (the radiator) probably shouldn't exceed 50cm, so diameter would be 15.8cm. Pretty small.
You have a point. To be honest I think we should stick to the 50cm radiator, probabely with radials that don't exceed 50cm as well to prevent making a ocf dipole of some sort. We could do a magnetic loop challenge with restrictions in 2023. 73, Bas
Hallo Bas, leuk idee. Ik denk er ook over om een vertical voor 10 meter te plaatsen, zo rond om volgend jaar. 73 Paul
Hallo Paul, jij hebt wel ervaring met kleine antenne's volgens mij. Ik kan me je draadje met de FT-817 nog wel herinneren van rond 2008. 73, Bas
Count me in, Bas - I'll be looking forward to the date once you decide on it. Sounds fun!
73,
John
Still thinking about this challenge. Keep an eye on my blog. 73, Bas
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