The WX3B Antenna Systems

 

Revised:  December 9, 2003

 

While you won't find stacked arrays of Yagis and high towers at WX3B, you will find an exceptionally efficient supply of aluminum that works at relatively low height - thanks to the low take-off angle of being located at 1100 Feet Above Sea Level overlooking a huge hill right at the edge of the property.  The "View" from WX3B is straight down in all directions except for South America.   Click here for the pictures.

 

There are 3 Directional antennas in use at WX3B.

 

The main Yagi is a Force 12 C-3S at 55 Feet on an AB/577 Military Tower.  This antennas is essentially Three 2 element Monoband Yagis on a 12 foot boom.   The antenna packs a surprising punch for something so small with so few elements. 

 

The other two high band antennas are Lightning Bolt Monoband Quad antennas (10 and 15 meters) mounted on Steel masts at about 33 Feet.  My property limitations (.7 acres with many, many trees) keep me from putting up other larger masts - and the Quad antennas at a low height performs remarkably well.  Many times the quad will out perform the Force 12 if the arrival angles of the signal are high.  This is especially noticeable when 10 meters is open to Europe.   These antennas have a special twist:  There are no rotors to wear out....that's right - you have to rotate them by hand.

 

My low band antennas are dipoles.  My location provides a much better take off angle for the antennas than they would normally have if they were mounted over flat ground.  It's the main reason I have a good signal to Europe on the load bands.

 

I hope that when you're reading my web site 10 years from now - this will be part of the "history" of WX3B as you read about my large towers, OWA 5 element stacked monobanders for the high bands, 2 element Quads for 75 meters, and four square for 160!

 

You can take a look at my long term goals by combining the homes and antenna systems in use at two of my favorite stations:  http://www.kc1xx.com and http://www.k4ja.com.  Matt has quite an impressive lineup of antennas - especially the stacked quad on 75 meters on a 95 meter tower!!!  Paul not only has an impressive array of antennas, but has the ultimate in contesting luxury:  a main house, and a contest house! 

 

I am a big fan of both Force 12 and Lightning Bolt antennas;  I believe they provide superior products at reasonable prices.   You can visit their web sites at:

 

http://www.force12inc.com

http://www.lightningboltantennas.com