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#1
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2m beam antenna with 45 degree coverage?
Folks
I may be spending a significant amount of time in a small village about 30 miles away from the "big city". I'd like to be able to participate in the 2m repeaters, I suspect almost all of the repeaters would be in an arc in a 45 degree angle from that small town. Thus I'm thinking a beam antenna with a 45 degree coverage would work well for me. I could then put it in a fixed location pointing to the big city. It also wouldn't have to be that high up. Ideally this would also cover 70 cm as well. Do such exist? Or would a 8' omni directional vertical antenna on the end of the peak of the house also give me decent coverage for the 30 miles? Part of this depends of course if the village is on the back side of some hills which is quite possible. Tony |
#2
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On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 18:24:41 GMT, Tony VE6MVP
wrote: Or would a 8' omni directional vertical antenna on the end of the peak of the house also give me decent coverage for the 30 miles? Hi Tony, If it doesn't, you have to consider that your choice for a beam (make sure you align it vertical as most repeaters will be vertical) with wide beamwidth and dual band capacity would probably describe a simple log periodic. One thing to consider, if this "big" city is 30 miles away, and spans 45 degrees, that is indeed a very "big" city. Part of this depends of course if the village is on the back side of some hills which is quite possible. Do a survey in the neighborhood with a handheld and see how hard that is. Then repeat the survey with a small ground plane connected to the handheld and hike the antenna 5' up on a broom stick. The real challenge is how high are the repeater antennas? I can hit my buddy's repeater here in the basement with a half watt (I'm not readable but I can trigger the courtesy tone), and I'm behind the brow of a nearby hill. 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC |
#3
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On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 12:21:09 -0700, Richard Clark
wrote: If it doesn't, you have to consider that your choice for a beam (make sure you align it vertical as most repeaters will be vertical) with wide beamwidth and dual band capacity would probably describe a simple log periodic. One thing to consider, if this "big" city is 30 miles away, and spans 45 degrees, that is indeed a very "big" city. Well some of the repeaters are at either ends of the city. But it's more like 30 degrees. Part of this depends of course if the village is on the back side of some hills which is quite possible. Do a survey in the neighborhood with a handheld and see how hard that is. Then repeat the survey with a small ground plane connected to the handheld and hike the antenna 5' up on a broom stick. Good suggestion. I'll do that the next time I'm in the area.. Wonder what the folks in that village will think of me? Do you think I should wear those big head phones too? smile And when I think about it if I can make it to the repeaters with my mobile antenna then a house vertical whip will be significantly better. Yeah, the more I think about it I should do some more testing before I posted. Tony |
#4
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"Tony VE6MVP" wrote in message ... Folks I may be spending a significant amount of time in a small village about 30 miles away from the "big city". I'd like to be able to participate in the 2m repeaters, I suspect almost all of the repeaters would be in an arc in a 45 degree angle from that small town. Thus I'm thinking a beam antenna with a 45 degree coverage would work well for me. I could then put it in a fixed location pointing to the big city. It also wouldn't have to be that high up. Ideally this would also cover 70 cm as well. Do such exist? Or would a 8' omni directional vertical antenna on the end of the peak of the house also give me decent coverage for the 30 miles? Part of this depends of course if the village is on the back side of some hills which is quite possible. Tony 30 miles ain't that far. I have no problem hitting repeaters from 40 miles out (mobile), but our repeaters are on towers. Put yourself a 5/8-wave mobile mag-mount on the car and drive out to the village while the repeater is in use. Make note of 'quiet zones' (bad reception areas). Avoid those areas when the time comes to set up there. You should have a better idea after your day trip, about the gain you may need to reach and hear the repeaters. Usually, if you can hear a repeater, you can talk to it. |
#5
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tony
to answer your question any 3 to 5 element yagi would do what you wish beamwidth that is cuchcraft makes a dual band 3 element and a 5element yagi neither one costs to much put either one on a 20ft pole and you should be able to hit anything you wish also a Comet GP9 dual band vertical at the same hieght would do you well too but a little more costly good luck Tony VE6MVP wrote: Folks I may be spending a significant amount of time in a small village about 30 miles away from the "big city". I'd like to be able to participate in the 2m repeaters, I suspect almost all of the repeaters would be in an arc in a 45 degree angle from that small town. Thus I'm thinking a beam antenna with a 45 degree coverage would work well for me. I could then put it in a fixed location pointing to the big city. It also wouldn't have to be that high up. Ideally this would also cover 70 cm as well. Do such exist? Or would a 8' omni directional vertical antenna on the end of the peak of the house also give me decent coverage for the 30 miles? Part of this depends of course if the village is on the back side of some hills which is quite possible. Tony |
#6
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He a look here you can find some usefull vhf antenna plans
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/VHF_UHF/ and here for some repeaters infos http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Operat...rs/index.shtml 73 Sim |
#7
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Good suggestion. I'll do that the next time I'm in the area.. Wonder
what the folks in that village will think of me? Do you think I should wear those big head phones too? smile just tell then its an external cell phone antenna and they will go "oh OK" and leave you alone. |
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