From the Wolf Radio Antennas thread:
I have a 40' crank up tower trailer (test at 36'?). I like El Mirage Dry Lake. I've tested a few antennas out there.
Bring your motorcycles and your antennas (mobile and base). I'm sure Jay and Steve would love to come out also. Don't forget the beer (or in my case PEPSI!). We can make a weekend of it!
The dry lake bed is FLAT and LONG. It's a perfect platform for testing antennas! We can set up listening stations in a straight line (use a GPS).
We could all agree on the testing parameters. Example
Listening Stations:
#1: 1/4 wave ground plane (1-mile out)
#2: 1/2 wave dipole (reference antenna?) (2-miles out)
#3: 5/8 wave ground plane (4-miles out)
(does a 5/8 antenna receive a 5/8 transmitted signal better than a 5/8 recieving a 1/2? Let's find out!)
We could use calibrated radios or a piece of test equipment. If people wanted to put in some $$$, we could rent a manlift and take field strength readings with my Bird 4030/43 set up.
We could also build a test fixture for mobile antennas (unless someone has a Suburban with a center mounted antenna mount).
Obvioulsy this wouldn't be scientific, but it would be consistent, especially if we could all agree on the testing parameters.
This location is also 40-miles from Palmdale. I haven't checked TOPO, but my guess is that there is little in the way as far as terrain goes. I'll look into that. Palmdale would provide a good long distance reference.
We could coordinate communications on FRS, MURS, or Ham Radio. MURS would get my nod! Its a great service!
I have original Sigma 5/8 (both models), Sigma IV's, an Avanti 1/2 wave vertical dipole (AV-160 RAMROD brand new in box), Super Scanner (needs new phasing lines), a 1/2 wave ground plane, and a BUNCH of other junk.
Everyone could bring their own antennas and hopefully Dan, Kale, Jay, and Eddie would be willing to send out their antennas for unbiased testing. Who knows, someone may want to buy them! I know I'll take a single coil P-10K on a 27" shaft for my own use after the testing! I will be picking up another I-10K soon so we can use it also.
April or May sounds good for a weekend outing (including telling stories (lies) around the campfire at night with the BBQ going and the beverages flowing! If you have never done it, there is NOTHING like camping in the middle of the desert (except for in the summer)!!! There would be PLENTY of time to get prepared for an event like this!
What do you think?
CDX-007 said:Do I smell a West Coast field day in the San Juaquin Valley?- how 'bout Fernley, Nv?
I have a 40' crank up tower trailer (test at 36'?). I like El Mirage Dry Lake. I've tested a few antennas out there.
Bring your motorcycles and your antennas (mobile and base). I'm sure Jay and Steve would love to come out also. Don't forget the beer (or in my case PEPSI!). We can make a weekend of it!
The dry lake bed is FLAT and LONG. It's a perfect platform for testing antennas! We can set up listening stations in a straight line (use a GPS).
We could all agree on the testing parameters. Example
Listening Stations:
#1: 1/4 wave ground plane (1-mile out)
#2: 1/2 wave dipole (reference antenna?) (2-miles out)
#3: 5/8 wave ground plane (4-miles out)
(does a 5/8 antenna receive a 5/8 transmitted signal better than a 5/8 recieving a 1/2? Let's find out!)
We could use calibrated radios or a piece of test equipment. If people wanted to put in some $$$, we could rent a manlift and take field strength readings with my Bird 4030/43 set up.
We could also build a test fixture for mobile antennas (unless someone has a Suburban with a center mounted antenna mount).
Obvioulsy this wouldn't be scientific, but it would be consistent, especially if we could all agree on the testing parameters.
This location is also 40-miles from Palmdale. I haven't checked TOPO, but my guess is that there is little in the way as far as terrain goes. I'll look into that. Palmdale would provide a good long distance reference.
We could coordinate communications on FRS, MURS, or Ham Radio. MURS would get my nod! Its a great service!
I have original Sigma 5/8 (both models), Sigma IV's, an Avanti 1/2 wave vertical dipole (AV-160 RAMROD brand new in box), Super Scanner (needs new phasing lines), a 1/2 wave ground plane, and a BUNCH of other junk.
Everyone could bring their own antennas and hopefully Dan, Kale, Jay, and Eddie would be willing to send out their antennas for unbiased testing. Who knows, someone may want to buy them! I know I'll take a single coil P-10K on a 27" shaft for my own use after the testing! I will be picking up another I-10K soon so we can use it also.
April or May sounds good for a weekend outing (including telling stories (lies) around the campfire at night with the BBQ going and the beverages flowing! If you have never done it, there is NOTHING like camping in the middle of the desert (except for in the summer)!!! There would be PLENTY of time to get prepared for an event like this!
What do you think?
