Comparision between
Vertical HF antenna and Beam on DX
One of the classic questions about antennas is:
Vertical or Beam? Vertical antennas are usually cheap and easier to
install, and also they are well renowed for DX, but "top gun" stations
always have big beam on the roof: why? This video shows how much a beam
antenna would be better on RX side than a vertical one for DX. The
comparision is made by receiving the same station (8N5A)
alternatively with a Butternut HF6V vertical and a 3 elements yagi (dynamic
Ultrabeam UB50).
What differences
would you expect to see? Let's try
to calculate: in 20m. HF6V is 3/8-wave, with a ideal gain of 2.1 dBi
while a 3 elements full-size Yagi at 1/2-wave height has a gain close to
8 dBi, so the theorical difference on the measured incoming signal would
be around 6 dB = 1 S unit. This will be always true or not? Let's see
the video ;-) You'll discover that the signal from China received
in Italy with the beam is quite 3 S-units better than the
vertical one.
First of all, I'm not a great CW operator. My
focus is on DX and my QSOs always stay on no more than a few seconds.
But this Begali was so amazing that I had to have it. It has a great
feel when operating and looks so good when not in use.
YAESU FT-1000MP Mark V
HF Transceiver
Prod. Year: 2005 (bought new)
On my shack: since 2005
by IWØHOU
The classic YAESU FT1000mp
in its very last version before the advent of FT2000. It's a great
companion for DX hunting and QRM battling. It's main PROs are the two
independent receivers
(very useful in split operations), the +3 dB granted by the 200W output
power (very useful in pile-ups using no linear amplifier) and the
"direct" controls instead of double-triple-quad functions menu buttons
typical of modern small form factor rigs. The (few) CONs are the lack of
a spectrum (useful on almost closed bands) and the lack of 6 mt. band (it
needs a costly transverter). The FT1000 (D, MP or Mark V) is not
the latest radio, nor the top one, but the rig almost any serious ham
had or currently have on his shack.
I upgraded it with two optional SSB filters (YF-114SN and YF-110SN) very
useful in crowded bands, the line external speaker SP-8 (good enough)
and the MD100 desk microphone.
Links about this rig:
va3cr.net
A great source of informations about all
Yaesu FT1000 (D, MP, Mark V)
KENWOOD TS 2000
HF-VHF-UHF Transceiver
Prod. Year 2005 (bought new)
On my shack: since 2005
by IWØHOU
You either love it or hate
it. The TS2000 follows a completely different philosophy from the
classic ICOM or YAESU rigs of the middle '90s: no ceramic filters but 2
IF DSPs, no serious front
panel but a hifi-like line. Beside all this, the TS2000 is really the "Swiss
Army Knife Radio": if you want to do anything on ham bands you can do it
(well) with the TS2000! Good on HF and 50 MHz, very good on 2 meters and
70 cm., great on Satellite, wonderful on digital modes. Of course it's
not (and does'nt want to be) a pure HF rig like Mark V or PRO III, but
if I could only have one rig on the shack, it would be a TS2000.
RTX YAESU FT-897D
HF-VHF-UHF Transceiver
Prod Year: 2004 (bought new)
On my shack: from 12/2004 till 11/2005
by IWØHOU
Good transportable quad-band
rig. Just a bit user-unfriendly for everyday use as a HF base station.
Good performer on portable use. Its main PROs are hardness of the
assembly (it seems a military radio), low temperature (compared to its
competitor Icom 706) and nice modulation even with small microphone
included. Main CONs are sensibility in VHF, menu-driven operations and
too easy saturation of the receiver in VHF. I used it mainly in VHF SSB
contest so I can't give a full review on HF. Sold to buy the FT1000mp
Mark V.
ICOM IC-275H
VHF All mode transceiver
Prod Year: 1989 (bought used)
On my shack: from 3/2005 till 7/2005
by IWØHOU
One of the "Oldies but goldies" rigs from
ICOM. I'd got the H (high power, 100W) version: great RTX for VHF SSB
contests with a superb receiver, the best I ever heard (TS711E, FT897D,
IC 706MKIIG, TS2000) on 2 meters. My radio suffered sometimes annoying
oscillation, but some maintenance it's quite resonably in a 15 years rtx.
Sold to buy the Kenwood TS2000.
KENWOOD TS-711E VHF
All mode transceiver
Prod Year: 1987 (bought used)
On my shack: from 2/2005 till 3/2005
by IWØHOU
A lovely VHF classic from
Kenwood. I used it for a short time (being replaced by the 275H), but I
remember well it's rock-solid feeling and it's typical '80s "serious ham"
line. Definitely a collection rig to buy again when found in great
contions in a ham radio fair. Great for rag chewing in FM and SSB.
The E (european) version lacks of subtone unit.
AMERITRON AL811HX
HF Power Amplifier
Prod Year: 2006 (bought new)
On my shack: from 4/2006 till 7/2007
by IWØHOU
The european-market version
of the famous Ameritron best-selling Power Amplifier. It uses 4 cheap
811A tubes in AB configuration for 800 W p.e.p. output power. It reaches
easily the italian legal power (500 W) giving me a little help in
fighting with "big-gun" stations during pile-ups. It's a simple
but effective PA: fast enough (less than one minute standby required),
easy to operate (you can mark your settings on dials for each
band, when not changing antennas) and it stays cold enough for
medium-rate SSB contests limiting PeP to 500 W. Definitely an honest and
cheap PA, but if you want a plenty KW and something more "serious" (and
expensive), you've better to go to Acom, Alpha or solid state automatic
amps.
