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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.
