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Re: Gulf Alpha Antennas Vs. the Competition > Cheap
by Pat Kilroy 02 May '14

02 May '14

Dear Paul and Steve, Thank you! Your comments were highly valuable to me! I am looking to improve my portable ground station and, at the same time, see if I can help others with theirs too. A goal is to help elevate hand-held Arrow users up to the next levels of performance, to picnic table portable. And perhaps with Az-El mounting capability, either motorized manual or automated. David W2LNX was working on a nice Az-El "Cheap- Rotator" assembly, so I was thinking of a summer of 2014 project, building and seeing if the C P "Cheap-Yagi" as you mention could be improved upon. Wouldn't it be nice to hold next year's AMSAT-DC workshop on assembling something like an improved cheap CP UHF yagi! FYI, here are some other reviews I just found: Gulf Alpha Reviews http://gulfalphaantennas.com/S%20TAKES.pdf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200812/msg00551.html http://www.k4lrg.org/Projects/432_MHz_Yagi_Prototype/ http://www.w5pfg.us/2013/01/gulf-alpha-circular-polarized-vhf-5x5.html http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,65620.0.html (two pages) http://forums.qrz.com/archive/index.php/t-265979.html http://www.dxzone.com/dx22904/gulf-alpha-communication-antennas.html Thanks again! Cheers, Pat N8PK On May 1, 2014 at 9:35 PM Stephan Greene <ks1g04(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Pat: > > I think rotating for polarity matching is more important on the > downlink. On uplink, more TX power may be simpler/easier as needed. > I've wanted a bit more gain than what I get from the 4 or 6 element > linear-polarized yagi on 2M. I keep thinking about building a CP > cheap-yagi. > > The issue with a CP antenna is transport. You might be able to get > same effect with 2 linear antennas and appropriate phasing lines and > mechanical offset - a lot of the early AO10 and 13 ops went that way. > > We had M2 antennas at the AO27 ground station. They are very rugged, > well made. However, the assembly method uses insulating plugs and > push-nuts (so does my old Hy Gain sat array); they are a PITA to > assemble and not meant for disassembly other than separating at boom > joints. The 70cm antenna is rugged enough (and much smaller) for > transport in sections, the longer 2M elements are succeptible to > damage in a CP config. An option for 70cm is to use the bottom half > of a longer boom CP antenna; I have been doing this with reasonable > success on my home station. > > No experience with GA, so can't help there. > > FYI, Directive Systems changed owners approx a year or so ago and is > now in Virginia. They were at Vienna and I expect they will be at > Manassas and Berryville. A pair of 4 or 6 element 2M antennas (maybe > their rover special) with phasing lines might make a good CP array. > May be worth a call to them. > > 73 > Steve KS1G > > > On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 6:15 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net > <mailto:n8hm@arrl.net> > wrote: > > > Pat, > > > > I have only used linear antennas and I can say that I need to > > constantly make adjustments to my polarity for the best signal. I > > think I would find it very difficult to operate using a linear > > yagi on > > a tripod unless I had enough gain to overcome the polarization > > fades. > > > > 73, > > > > Paul, N8HM > > > > On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 5:13 PM, Pat Kilroy < pat(a)patkilroy.com > > <mailto:pat@patkilroy.com> > wrote: > > > Hi! Can anyone give me a recommendation for > > > the RHCP antenna types for satellite work by > > > the (new?) Gulf Alpha outfit? > > > > > > http://www.GulfAlphaAntennas.com/ > > > <http://www.GulfAlphaAntennas.com/> > > > > > > In particular, do you have first hand experience > > > with the Gulf Alpha portable 2m 3x3 element RHCP > > > on the 4ft boom and the 70cm 5x5 element RHCP on > > > the 3ft boom? Or do you know someone who does? > > > > > > If I am so lucky, I would also appreciate if > > > there are any comparisons of these types to > > > the two "extremes" of competitors: M2 436CP30 > > > on the one hand and Arrow II (or the new > > > Alaskan Arrow) antennas on the other. > > > > > > http://m2inc.com/index.php?ax=amateur&pg=106 > > > <http://m2inc.com/index.php?ax=amateur&pg=106> > > > http://arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html > > > <http://arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html> > > > > > > In my application of interest, I know the 436CP30 > > > is considered overkill because I am concerned about > > > portable or semi-portable ground stations at the > > > moment, but features such as construction technique > > > and durability can be related among these units. > > > > > > As an aside, for those of you who use linear Yagi > > > antennas for portable satellite work, how important > > > is it for you to rotate the sense (polarization) of > > > your antennas, vertical through horizontal, during > > > a given contact? Not worth the bother? Or do you > > > think "next time I'm gonna build in a way to rotate > > > the plane of my uplink/downlink antenna"??? > > > > > > Thoughts? > > > > > > Thank you very much, > > > > > > Pat Kilroy > > > N8PK > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-dc> > > >

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Gulf Alpha Antennas Vs. the Competition
by Pat Kilroy 02 May '14

02 May '14

Hi! Can anyone give me a recommendation for the RHCP antenna types for satellite work by the (new?) Gulf Alpha outfit? http://www.GulfAlphaAntennas.com/ In particular, do you have first hand experience with the Gulf Alpha portable 2m 3x3 element RHCP on the 4ft boom and the 70cm 5x5 element RHCP on the 3ft boom? Or do you know someone who does? If I am so lucky, I would also appreciate if there are any comparisons of these types to the two "extremes" of competitors: M2 436CP30 on the one hand and Arrow II (or the new Alaskan Arrow) antennas on the other. http://m2inc.com/index.php?ax=amateur&pg=106 http://arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html In my application of interest, I know the 436CP30 is considered overkill because I am concerned about portable or semi-portable ground stations at the moment, but features such as construction technique and durability can be related among these units. As an aside, for those of you who use linear Yagi antennas for portable satellite work, how important is it for you to rotate the sense (polarization) of your antennas, vertical through horizontal, during a given contact? Not worth the bother? Or do you think "next time I'm gonna build in a way to rotate the plane of my uplink/downlink antenna"??? Thoughts? Thank you very much, Pat Kilroy N8PK

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Photos of the Move and New AMSAT Office?
by JoAnne Maenpaa 01 May '14

01 May '14

Hello everyone, If you get a chance to get any photos of the move from Sligo Ave. to Concord St. please send them to the AMSAT Journal? I've received a few photos so far which are a big help. I would like to show our new office if possible! Thanks! -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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AMSAT Symposium Prep Dinner and Meeting
by Frank Bauer 29 Apr '14

29 Apr '14

All, The DC area will have a unique opportunity this year---the AMSAT Symposium will be hosted in Baltimore, near the BWI Airport. As the co-hosts for this event, we are planning a preparation meeting and pot luck dinner to be held at our house in Silver Spring/Burtonsville on Saturday May 3 starting at 5:30 pm. We would love to have you attend and ultimately support our upcoming symposium. Those that have never supported a symposium in the past, do not be intimidated. We have some great "starter jobs" that will also introduce you to our world-wide ham radio satellite team. I guarantee that there will be lots of fun and camaraderie as we prepare for and conduct the symposium. If you plan on attending, please let me know by direct e-mail at ka3hdo(a)verizon.net. I will then provide you additional details. Also, let us know what you plan to bring for the pot luck. And don't forget..Spouses are most welcome! 73, Your co-hosts: Frank Bauer, KA3HDO and Janet Bauer

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Howie
by Howie 23 Apr '14

23 Apr '14

http://duygudogan.com/rfz/kozehjfhhfivaoyvrecpghhhs.gqhmqxdvooxustrrobt

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Re: The Move > The Move the movie
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 18 Apr '14

18 Apr '14

Hi Bob, Er, sorry. Because of my silly attempt to infuse some humor I guess you missed my main point. I connected "not having a key" and the "go ahead" to move in, or as I phrased it, access by consent. ... Oh well. Never mind. 8-) See you soon. Cheers, Pat N8PK ________________________________________ From: rj carpenter [rcarpen(a)comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 7:43 PM To: Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) Cc: Martha SARAGOVITZ; Bob McGwier; AMSAT-DC Subject: Re: The Move I think it would be VERY BAD POLICY to enter the room without an official key. We wouldn't want to be evicted before we even moved in. bob c. w3otc On 4/15/2014 3:55 PM, Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) wrote: > Hi Bob, > > When has "a lack of a key" ever stopped any of us > engineers from "getting in"? > > I must keep Saturday morning on my calendar > because if I pulled it then it would have a hard > time getting back on if needed. So, I trust that > some magic will happen to make a key appear > or you will otherwise have access by consent > by the new landlord. > > Thank you for the fine prep work (and heart > aches) you are going through to make this > move happen smoothly. I will look forward > to seeing you and others in jeans and T-shirts > on Saturday morning. > > We'll keep our fingers crossed and watch > for your posts. > > Cheers, > > Pat > N8PK > > > Mr. Pat Kilroy > Integration and Test (I&T) Lead Engineer > NASA Goddard Space Flight Center > Building 5, Mail Code 568 > Greenbelt, Maryland 20771-5860 > W: 301-286-1984 > E: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov > > ________________________________________ > From: rj carpenter [rcarpen(a)comcast.net] > Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 3:30 PM > To: Barry Baines; Perry KLEIN > Cc: AMSAT Advisors; Board of Directors; Arthur H. FELLER; Perry Klein; Martha SARAGOVITZ; Bob McGwier; Martha Saragovitz; Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680); Daniel Schultz; AMSAT-DC; senior-officers > Subject: Re: [amsat-dc] Re: [Bod] Re: The Move > > It now looks as though I may not have a key to the new space by > Saturday. I'll know more by Wednesday evening. > > There will be no need for helpers Saturday at the new space if I don't > have a key. > > bob carpenter > > --- > --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com

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Re: The Move
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 16 Apr '14

16 Apr '14

Hi Bob, When has "a lack of a key" ever stopped any of us engineers from "getting in"? I must keep Saturday morning on my calendar because if I pulled it then it would have a hard time getting back on if needed. So, I trust that some magic will happen to make a key appear or you will otherwise have access by consent by the new landlord. Thank you for the fine prep work (and heart aches) you are going through to make this move happen smoothly. I will look forward to seeing you and others in jeans and T-shirts on Saturday morning. We'll keep our fingers crossed and watch for your posts. Cheers, Pat N8PK Mr. Pat Kilroy Integration and Test (I&T) Lead Engineer NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Building 5, Mail Code 568 Greenbelt, Maryland 20771-5860 W: 301-286-1984 E: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov ________________________________________ From: rj carpenter [rcarpen(a)comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 3:30 PM To: Barry Baines; Perry KLEIN Cc: AMSAT Advisors; Board of Directors; Arthur H. FELLER; Perry Klein; Martha SARAGOVITZ; Bob McGwier; Martha Saragovitz; Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680); Daniel Schultz; AMSAT-DC; senior-officers Subject: Re: [amsat-dc] Re: [Bod] Re: The Move It now looks as though I may not have a key to the new space by Saturday. I'll know more by Wednesday evening. There will be no need for helpers Saturday at the new space if I don't have a key. bob carpenter ---

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The Move
by Martha 16 Apr '14

16 Apr '14

1. Shredding company will be here Friday 2. Bob, N4HY will be here Saturday morning (9:00) 3. Moving Company will be here Monday for estimate. -- 73- Martha

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Re: Help!
by Martha 12 Apr '14

12 Apr '14

On the 19th, I guess Bob will be here around 9:00 AM. We will help him load his truck and he is off to visit his kids for Easter. Sometime within the next 2 weeks, we will move the office to Kensington. We need to be out of here by April 30th. Martha On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 1:19 AM, Daniel Schultz <n8fgv(a)usa.net> wrote: > I should be available, what time will they be getting started? And where is > the new office going to be? > > Dan > > ------ Original Message ------ > Received: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 05:40:04 PM EDT > From: Martha <martha(a)amsat.org> > To: Daniel Schultz <n8fgv(a)usa.net> > Subject: Help! > > > Dan - Bob McGwier will be here on the 19th of April to load a truck with > > historical files. Frank, Tom and Perry said they would help. Are you > > available? > > -- > > 73- Martha > > > > > -- 73- Martha

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AMSAT at BARC Hamfest this Saturday in Timonium, Md
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 04 Apr '14

04 Apr '14

Confirmed! AMSAT has a great showing planned for this Saturday in Timonium. C'mon out! We will have a luxury two-space booth set up indoors near the ARRL booth with lots of AMSAT store items, membership renewals, displays and several public DEMONSTRATIONS to offer. We are lucky to have Norm McSweyn, N3YKF, coming into town via AMTRAK AUTO TRAIN to run live demos of FUNcube-1 (AO-73), FO-29, AO-7 and the new Morehead OSCAR-76, a.k.a. MO-76 or "$50sat" for all present. If we can get the extra gear then we can also demo ISS-DATA (FM packet radio or HamTV). SO-50 or VO-52 may be available too during show time. SPONSORED BY BARC The 2014 Greater Baltimore Hamboree is April 5 and it includes the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Expo! See below and http://www.gbhc.org/ Please drop by the AMSAT booth to chat! Cheers, Pat Kilroy, N8PK AMSAT Area Coordinator MDC area http://www.amsat.org ________________________________ From: ARRL Members Only Web site [memberlist(a)www.arrl.org] Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 1:34 PM To: Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) Subject: BARC Hamfest; Convention Survey Reminder * BARC HAMFEST * CONVENTION SURVEY ==> BARC HAMFEST This Saturday, April 5, is the 2014 Greater Baltimore Hamboree, which is host to the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Expo at the Maryland State Fairground in Timonium, Maryland. Doors open at 8:30 am. Don’t worry about weather because all vendors are inside the Cow Palace, a quarter mile long exhibition space. There’s plenty of free parking in the midway parking lot. Laurel Amateur Radio Club VEs will be giving free license testing beginning at 9:00 am. For more information please visit the BARC Hamboree website at <http://www.gbhc.org/>. ==> CONVENTION SURVEY This is just a reminder to please take the short survey to determine how we should be thinking about holding a convention in the MDC Section. Copied below is the original request with the link: Each ARRL Section is allowed to hold a yearly section or state convention. The conventions typically have a speaker from ARRL Headquarters, an ARRL Forum hosted by a Division representative and some seminar topics. In the past we have had conventions in conjunction with a hamfest and also stand alone conventions. In an effort to determine what type of convention ARRL members of the MDC Section would most likely attend, I've designed a short survey. Thanks to Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, for letting me use his survey software for this. Please click this link <http://www.bestvote.org/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=35> to take the short survey. After you hit Submit it will ask for your email to validate the survey. Your email information will not be used in any way other than as a validation for the survey. The survey will remain open until midnight Monday, April 7. Thanks in advance for helping the section staff understand the best way to provide a convention. 73, Jim Cross WI3N SM MDC -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Maryland-DC Section Section Manager: James E Cross III, WI3N wi3n(a)arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------

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