For
the CQ WW CW Contest 2002
I prepared my new E-H antenna – disc-cone for a 40m band. It is a relative
name, because I used not a disc, but a plate 40 x 50 cm. Why I did it? I wanted
to favour the preferable contest directions
east ( VK, JA ) and west (NA, SA). Cone diameter – 40 cm, cone height –
35 cm. I mounted the cone on the four wood, wax covered stems ( see Photo_1 ). Below the
plate is a polypropilene pipe 50mm diameter, where a phasing coil mounted. A
matching box (L-T network) near the transceiver is also. For protection from
the atmosphere moisture antenna was covered by the polyethylene sackful ( see Photo_2 ).
Before the contest antenna was mounted 3m
over the roof. But after several hours of the contest I understood, that this
height is not enough. There was no problem to work the European stations. But
from NA and SA I got the stations, having very good antennas only. There was a
moments, when I several times called the stations from USA, but they not heard
me. Is it good, when I have 300W output?
In the light time I moved the antenna up to
6 meter over the roof ( see Photo_2 ), and in 13:25 UT I began to work in the
contest again. It was much more better job. There was no problem to work JA
stations. But in 15:30 UT I finished, because I had to go to my work. In the
morning, November 24, I continued my contest work, and there was no problem to
work any DX station. All stations of
USA, that I heard, I have in my log. Especially I enjoyed of two QSO.
1.
W7GG. His RST was 549-559
with specified for long path echo.
2.
D4B. The calling stations
took place more, than 3 kHz up.
My final score : 19 hours in the contest,
463 QSO, 84 countries, 22 zones ( see my contest log ). What can I say about the antenna? It makes a good job, but the height more than
1/8 wavelenght is needed for a good DX-ing.
UT4EK,
Alex.