The AM Forum

With the concurrence of Mr Mike and the rest of the governing body of Nearfest, I would be interested in setting up a test range to measure mobile antenna strap out in one if the remote fields at the fairgrounds for a mobile antenna strapping competition.  I have a Wandel und Goltermann selective level meter that covers 2 kHz to 18 MHz that can be powered from a small 12v to 120v AC inverter or from a vehicle. Would set up a receiving antenna using something like a Hamstick resonated on 75 and maybe another one for 40 with a few counterpoise wires to drive the W u G and an in line wattmeter to be installed in the test vehicle antenna feed line so measurements from all set ups can be normalized for differing output power.  We can find out who has the most absolute strap (highest field strength not normalized for transmitter power) and how the various antennas stack up for efficiency with power normalized readings.  If Tim shows up we could also come up with a dB re 1 Dog Log metric.  What do think? K2ORS has to bring his infamous Mass Pike Special 1/4 wave trailing wire counterpoise.

hey chris - how much power you talkin?
greg - n1exi

Run what ya brung...I will measure the power into the transmitter antenna
and normalize the measured performance of each setup of transmitter and antenna to a 1 watt reference level so the performance of the various antennas can be compared to one another even if the transmitter power levels differ.  If you want to go for the most absolute strapescent signal (without normalization) the more coal you pour into the hopper the better!

I can see the 6 alternators an the towed military generators now.

Wasn't there a fest where someone would show up with a big trailer and BC rigs?

Rochester, NY in 1999 with a KW-1

http://amwindow.org/pix/htm/roch991.htm


More recently, I think there was a BC TX on a pickup truck at Dayton.

How about TEN 320 Leece-Nevilles caw mann?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JKoSairna0

I once checked in at the Deerfield gate with the MAB in the passenger seat with the whip out the window. Of course that was only a 1000 ft transmission.

The famous PUN pissed on KW.....  how time go byby


KLC

The last year the XYL went to the old Rock fest.

I don't understand the reference.

The story, as it was told to me...

Ed Bolton sold the KW1. His dog(s) used it for a fire plug. It ended up in a Ryder? truck at the Rochester Ham Fest. I seem to remember that Tim worked on the Collins after it was sold.

This was the first time my XYL went to RockChester, and she was 'interviewed" by the operator. I can't remember who he was. Afterword, there was a visit to the beer tent. I have fond memories, but the hole Rochester experience has been lacking the last few years. The wife attended about two years ago when it was held at RIT. ~14 years between fests, so I've been getting away with not spending lunch money to keep her happy while I go shopping.

Gerry KC8ZUL at Dayton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyGMO89RD9o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyGMO89RD9o)

Just tested the W und G rf dBm
meter operation on my 175 watt 12v DC to 120vac converter . Works fine.  Will plan on setting up the test range Friday afternoon at the fester. Details on how it will be run to follow.  Will likely limit testing to 75 40 and maybe 20 meters as the W u G tops out at 18 MHz.   

I was packing the car to head up to the fest Friday and something came up that required me to bail out at the very last minute. 

I'll plan on doing the mobile antenna measurement range in the fall.  System was all checked out and loaded in the truck when the bail out alarm rang. 

Hope everyone had a great time up there, I heard the weather was great, as it is here today, first time I've done yard work in short sleeves since last fall!