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antennas:talkabout [2019/09/05 22:48]
f4ija created
antennas:talkabout [2020/02/22 19:53] (current)
f4ija
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 For easy setup of the rig when traveling for work or whatsoever, I wanted a compact antenna, full of compromise but with descent performance and also good price. For easy setup of the rig when traveling for work or whatsoever, I wanted a compact antenna, full of compromise but with descent performance and also good price.
  
-I think the ATX Walkabout antenna is a good call.+I think the ATX Walkabout antenna is a good call. It's also known as the MFJ1899T.
  
 For now, I've not tested it, so I just put the small instructions here : {{ :​antennas:​mfj-1899t.pdf |}} For now, I've not tested it, so I just put the small instructions here : {{ :​antennas:​mfj-1899t.pdf |}}
 +
 +Also, from W8ABZ [[https://​www.qsl.net/​sv1uy/​counterpoisekit.html]],​ I've created a counterpoise kit with the informations below :
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​couterpoise.png?​ |}}
 +
 +Edit of 28/12/2019 : tested on field with my FT-818ND. I've added couterpoise for 40m. I went on the top a hill nearby the home (120m from sea level). I was a bit surprised I received really lot of things, from CW to SSB without problems.
 +
 +I tried some contacts, I was heard by a German but too weak to make some reports. After that, I was heard by MM5DWW in Scotland. My signal was weak but he was able to QSL my QRZ after several times. Unfortunately a big gun arrived on the frequency after that and I lost him.
 +
 +Let's see after that for new contacts !
 +
 +===== Tripod setup =====
 +I've modified a camera tripod and here is the result :
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​coimg_20200220_110412.jpg?​600 |}}
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​coimg_20200220_093729.jpg?​600 |}}
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​coimg_20200220_093744.jpg?​600 |}}
 +
 +I was in the top of Mont Thou near the city of Lyon in France, which is 600m high. I was able to make really solid copy contact on JS8 with this antenna on 40m (some reports were +3 dB !!).
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​coimg_20200220_093729.jpg?​600 |}}
 +
 +===== Radials =====
 +
 +Here is a test with just 1 radial with the length calculated above (short length) :
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​1_radial.png?​600 |}}
 +
 +And with 4 radials made from 0.75mm² wire of 40m lambda / 4 length (about 10m each) :
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​4_radials.png?​600 |}}
 +
 +Seems to be quite the same. I can't see lot of directivity with only 1 radial. So what to think about ?
 +
 +The 1 radial solution is the ultraportable setup, and if there not a lot of difference, why bother using 4 radials, which mean more wires, more weight and extra time to install and also to fold...
 +
 +===== Portable setup =====
 +
 +Directly connected to the FT818 on a picnic table. I wasn't using counterpoise but I was however able to contact Ireland with solid copy on JS8Call on 40m.
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​img_20200205_115702.jpg?​600 |}} 
 +
 +{{ :​antennas:​img_20200205_115702.jpg?​600 |}}
 +
 +
 +
 +
antennas/talkabout.1567716519.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/09/05 22:48 by f4ija