[amsat-bb] Warning Label, One Antenna To Do It All

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

For the last 10 years or so I have had M2 antennas for 2m and 70cm, the
2mCP14 and 436CP42, at about 40 feet with mast mounted preamps and LMR400
feedline. Both are fixed right hand circular. In that time I've completed
satellite DXCC, am currently at 1750 grids on satellite, 100+ on 2m via
tropo, Eskip, and meteor scatter, about 40 grids on 70cm tropo and EME.
There are times when the circular polarization is a hindrance, but times I
feel it's a benefit as well.

My recommendation is to not overthink the problem, but to be on the air
often, and pay attention to when tropo, Eskip, and meteor showers occur and
take advantage of them.

73, Drew KO4MA

-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org> On Behalf Of Wes Baden via
AMSAT-BB
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2020 5:14 PM
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Warning Label, One Antenna To Do It All

Newbie here--using satellites only for three weeks.  I'd appreciate Elmers
offering answers to my second question.  The first is asked in jest.

1. Shouldn't there be a warning label on AMSAT web sites and publications,
to the effect, "WARNING: Satellite operation is highly addictive"?  I've
been on the air for 63 years, and the fun I'm having is matched only by my
first year operating with a Heathkit AT-1 and Hallicrafters S38D on 40 meter
CW.

2. More seriously, I currently am using 70cm and 144 MHz small yagis mounted
separately on tripods on my snow and ice covered deck, fixed at 230 degrees,
which however has enabled me to make many contacts (and 16 states so far).
I'm looking to put up "real" antennas in the spring, on a 40 foot tower.
I've always been a "one antenna to do it all" guy on HF, and I wonder if
that also would be possible for both SAT and terrestrial VHF/UHF QSOs, on
CW, SSB and FM.  Needless to say, I realize that any such antenna would
represent a compromise, getting the job done ideally but certainly not be
the best performer on one particular band or mode.  Comments about the M2
LEO Package?  Great for SAT, and only losing 3 dB, I believe, for
terrestrial communications.  And what about somewhat longer linear yagis
(not phased) on the same cross arm but slanted 90 degrees in relation to
each other?  So far, in my SAT work, I'm not seeing much in the way of
difference between vertical and horizontal polarization.  Presumably slant
polarization works fine on SAT too, and it also would still do the job on
both CW/SSB and FM where you definitely don't want to be 100% vertical
(CW/SSB) or 100% horizontal (FM) and therefor lose 20-30 dB of gain.

Many thanks for your collective wisdom and experience.

Wes NA1ME FN54
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