[amsat-bb] Tripod for Arrow

[KE6BLR Robert]

Here is a link to a photo of the Arrow on the Amazon tripod:

https://twitter.com/MachaleRobert/status/1121138773394255872

On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 12:30 PM Ryan Noguchi via AMSAT-BB <
amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:

>  There have already been a lot of good comments on the list on why
> handheld antennas work a lot better if you can manage it, and I'm
> definitely in that camp. My experience with my home station (an Elk on a
> tripod in the attic with an azimuth-only TV rotator and a fixed elevation
> of about 18 degrees) also corroborates this, as I find that mismatched
> elevation makes very little difference, but mismatched polarization makes a
> huge difference.
>
> When I was confined to a fixed location, one trick that I've found helped
> is to suspend the tip of the antenna to bear part of its weight. In my back
> yard, I have strung up some horizontal (non-conductive) lines that are at
> about the right height for me to hold the Arrow horizontal with my arm
> extended and the tip of the antenna resting on the line, with line "hooked"
> on the forward-most element. This saves a lot of fatigue on those long
> portions of the pass when the elevation angle is low, provides added height
> to reduce the workable elevation angle, and enables almost complete freedom
> of rotation for polarization. I've used this approach with both the Elk and
> the Arrow to good effect. It does require a little more practice and
> attention with the Arrow due to the crossed geometry, but it was certainly
> very workable. I have the lines strung out in three directions optimized
> for different pass geometries, which was more useful for the Arrow than the
> Elk. I don't use them much any more since I got over my fear of being
> "outed" and started operating in full view of the public.
>
>
> Operating completely pedestrian-portable is also very handy if you have to
> move during the pass to clear obstructions or distance yourself from
> (audio) noise sources. Operating writing-hand-free can be very doable, even
> without VOX. I hold the antenna with one hand, and leave the other hand
> free for tuning, logging in real time, pressing the earpiece PTT switch,
> and occasionally holding an umbrella.
>
>
> 73, Ryan AI6DO
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>