19 Nov 2018

160m FT8

As it is now dark, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. On RX lots of EU stations immediately spotted and even my QRP (2.5W) CQ was copied in a couple of countries. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX (already) is RA9AJ (3901km) in Asiatic Russia.
at 18:29
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4 comments:

Keith said...

Interesting results you are getting with the earth probe antenna, Roger. Can you advise details of what you are using? It could be a possibility for people who live in cities with small gardens.

Mon Nov 19, 08:18:00 pm GMT
Roger G3XBM said...

Currently my "far end" ground is an earth rod (about 1m long) driven into the ground. The wire runs back to the shack at a maximum height of about 1.5m along the garden fence. I guess this is about 10m long. At present the other earth is the mains earth, although at the old QTH I used another ground rod and ran the wire along the ground. On 630m this made little difference. The rig is connected by a 3C39 step-up transformer (2t on rig side and about 10t on "antenna" side). On topband, noise is S0 and the match is almost 1:1. I am amazed how well it works.

Mon Nov 19, 08:49:00 pm GMT
Keith said...

Thanks, Roger. I might well try that here. I live in Lincoln near to the cathedral and castle, and the garden is shared with the other 5 residents in the maisonette building, so anything that is “stealthy” is of interest. I’ll also forward details to another local station that is interested in LF but has a small garden.

Regards,
Keith

Tue Nov 20, 11:21:00 am GMT
Keith said...

Please forgive my ignorance, but what is a 3C39 transformer? A google search didn’t really help....

Tue Nov 20, 11:37:00 am GMT

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