SUPER ZS TWO METRE STATIONS
COMPILED BY BARRY ZR2DX
Bill Hosie ZS5ACY (ex VK6ACY) who has resettled in the RSA, will soon erect his 4x 17 element yagi array on his farm at Underberg north of Durban and run 400W PEP on 144Mhz. His passion is to establish a two-way Trans-Indian Ocean contact with Australia on this band. A photograph of his VK antenna setup appeared on page 20 of the July 1998 issue of Radio ZS. Bill is seriously thinking about operating a 2 metre beacon from his QTH.
Another big station is taking shape at ZS5ZT Garnett Gould in Umtentwini. Garnett imported two 4-125 tubes from VK and is now constructing a linear of legal limit. He is planning to build a second 12 element yagi for stacking. His main aim is to work Philippe Mondon FR5DN on Reunion Island on two metres when suitable ducting exists over the sea.
Pieter Jacobs ZR1AEE of Cape Town is currently running around 300W into a single 12 element yagi but will soon change it to four yagis. His two metre signals have been logged as far as Pietersburg, a distance of over 1500km.
Paul Smit ZS6NK in Polokwane (Pietersburg) has 2x 25 element yagis stacked and with only 90W worked Cape Town. Paul is also equipped with a linear that can produce the maximum permitted power output.
Hal Lund ZS6WB in Pretoria has a single 17 element M2 yagi and 160W available on 144MHz, but has the advantage of a superb location. Hal was part of the first Digital 2m contact between Divisions 1 and 6 (along with Pieter ZR1AEE) and has also made numerous EME contacts on 144MHz using JT44.
If you know of any other Super Two Metre Stations in South Africa, or have one yourself, please EMail the information to [email protected]