Extended rubber ducks / whips on an HT for LEOs
I think it's time to stop recommending people use AL-800 or SRH320 -style extended whips for LEO newcomers. These antennas are very poor performers for working either SO-50 or AO-27. Even under an ideal pass, using these antennas will likely result in many missed calls. We all know "it can be done..." So can running a dogsled race with Chihuahuas.
Here's my case, which has been experienced time after time, on the current FM birds:
1. New station decides to "give sats a try." (Excellent - we should encourage and provide proper guidance) 2. Station looks in drawer and finds an extended whip or buys one based on recommendation from website or article 3. Station gets on a pass, hears a break in the noise and some partial calls, so he gives his call sign 4. If the new station was lucky enough to capture the bird, likely other stations will "pounce" on the new guy and perhaps call incessantly 5. Perhaps the new station will hear the bird again for a minute, thinking it is clear, and gives their call sign 6. Repeat step 4-5; continue until LOS (many fewer good contacts are made)
When we had AO-51, reception on an extended whip was more viable. Now with AO-27 and SO-50, these "extended" rubber ducks have become much less viable options. Often the stations on a whip do not take into account their "handicap" and try to make contacts even though they are not hearing the bird.
It’s time to retire these extended whips as a recommendation since there are both inexpensive commercially-available gain antennas and many good home-brew designs.
73 Clayton W5PFG
On 8/21/12, Clayton Coleman W5PFG [email protected] wrote:
I think it's time to stop recommending people use AL-800 or SRH320 -style extended whips for LEO newcomers. These antennas are very poor performers for working either SO-50 or AO-27. Even under an ideal pass, using these antennas will likely result in many missed calls. We all know "it can be done..." So can running a dogsled race with Chihuahuas.
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When we had AO-51, reception on an extended whip was more viable. Now with AO-27 and SO-50, these "extended" rubber ducks have become much less viable options. Often the stations on a whip do not take into account their "handicap" and try to make contacts even though they are not hearing the bird.
It’s time to retire these extended whips as a recommendation since there are both inexpensive commercially-available gain antennas and many good home-brew designs.
I made my first satellite QSOs with my FT-817ND and the stock antenna that came with it. That combination was adequate provided the satellite was at a higher elevation and the downlink was strong and clear.
One drawback, however, was that I had to rotate my radio in order to hear the signal during a pass but that also meant that it affected my uplink. There were a lot of exchanges along the lines of "Huh?" and "What did you say?" during those contacts. I'm sure I missed a lot of potential QSLs because of that.
Those limitations alone persuaded me to get my Arrow Yagi.
73s
Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL
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On 21/08/12 19:31, B J wrote:
I made my first satellite QSOs with my FT-817ND and the stock antenna that came with it. That combination was adequate provided the satellite was at a higher elevation and the downlink was strong and clear.
Yeah, but look how far south you are - you get far more chances at high-elevation passes. Even just a couple of degrees of latitude makes a hell of a difference.
Those limitations alone persuaded me to get my Arrow Yagi.
I had heard the birds with a K5OE "Handi-Tenna" design pretty well, but when I actually tried to work them I found a WA5VJB "Cheap Yagi" design with three elements for 2m and five elements for 70cm was excellent.
Do bear in mind that not everyone *wants* to go for a huge computer-controlled setup with everything done for you. If you want something incredibly portable a simple crossed Yagi and a dual-band HT is the weapon of choice.
Aloha
Although I am in the embryonic stages of learning to work the birds I agree that a whip is not the beginner's antenna of choice. The whip is however, a small convenient antenna that presents many challenges (like QRP) to those HAMS interested in pushing the envelope.
73 robert, NH7WN Honolulu
participants (4)
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B J -
Clayton Coleman W5PFG -
Gordon JC Pearce -
Robert Smith