Re: [amsat-bb] GRRRRRRRRRRR!

[Jon Ogden <na9d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 3/1/01 6:39 PM, Tim at Tim@teammca.org wrote:

>> What antenna have you been using?  A vertical?
> 
> Home made 5/8 wave vertical on 2m and home made 5/8 wave vertical on 440
> (that one cost 12$ including mast except for coax)

That says it all!  A 5/8 wave antenna is totally unsuited for space work.
For terrestrial it is great.  A 1/4 wave vertical would be much better if
you must use a vertical.

Imagine the radiation pattern of a 1/4 wave looks like a Kripy Kreme donut.
The hole is where the antenna sticks through.  Most of the radiation is in
the horizontal direction, but some is radiated upward, but right overhead,
you get no signal.  Now, smash that donut downward and thing it out.  The
donut will become more elongated and thinner.  Now the radiation pattern is
even more in the horizontal direction with much less going up vertically.

Near the horizon, where you had your success, you were in the beam of the
5/8 wave.

Yes, in your case, an easy to build turnstyle antenna would be blessing!

73,

Jon
NA9D

-------------------------------------
Jon Ogden
NA9D (ex: KE9NA)

Member:  ARRL, AMSAT, DXCC, NRA

http://www.qsl.net/ke9na

"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."

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