KØS, Strange Antenna Challenge

Hosted by Erik Weaver nØew and Dwayne Walker wb5plj

Brief Background of this Unique Special Event

The core idea is quite simple:
 
      Assemble make shift antennas using anything except wire and pipe. Make multiple contacts with distant stations. Trade a fair amount of information about your antennas and stations so the effectiveness of each "strange antenna" may be evaluated.

 
Where did this idea begin?

    Kurt N. Sterba writes a monthly column for "World Radio" magazine. Many of his earlier articles have been compiled into a three book series, "Aerials" (I, II, and wait for it, III). These are fun to read and filled with useful information. Kurt is somewhat rough around the edges, yet he dispels many misconceptions, sadly many of which are propagated by antenna manufacturers, authors, and publishers who should know better. Kurt has become one of my favorite monthly reads!

    To validate some of his claims he used a number of "strange antennas" in various contests over the years. Such common-day items as shopping carts, umbrellas, and aluminum ladders were pressed into service. Reading his collection of articles provided the driving force to recreate and expand upon his challenge to make functioning antennas out of non-antenna items.

    More recently Kurt has written a chapter in "International Antenna Collection 2" describing an experiment you can duplicate which proves a transmatch (antenna tuner) really does tune your non-resonant antenna. This is only one of many topics continually misunderstood by many hams. It is Kurt's adopted mission to shine the Light of Truth upon such mishaped ideas.

    I also recommend adding "Reflections II" by Walter Maxwell, W2DU, to your library. It's a great book and is available from World Radio.

    (Update 2006: This book is currently out of print. There has been talk of a Reflections III, but so far no joy. If you find a copy at a hamfest, grab it and don't let go!)

 
What can be learned?

    You want a "practical application" for "tuning up" all these strange antennas? How about knowing you can walk into the debris field left behind the wake of a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane, and make a useful antenna from scrap metal. Something another person just sees as trash. You have learned an imporant skill. Especially for those of you in remote areas of the world. You may have the only means of outside communication.

    But there are less drastic reasons too.

    Setting up your own satellite k0s station provides an opportunity to involve your local hams and the local media. The first year I organized this event the press was invited and they published the event in the local news paper. Since then others have had similar experiences with their local media. This allows the general public to be exposed to amateur radio and may even bring some inactive hams back into the fold.

    Possibly the most important day-in day-out aspect of running your own k0s satellite special event station is it's FUN! Get together with one or two other ham radio buddies and look through one another's garage and attic. You are bound to find a variety of metallic objects that may be pressed into service as a makeshift antenna. Experiment! Play! Have fun, and then let others in your area know what a great time you are having!

This is the formula for an expanding local amateur radio community:
 

1. Have fun
2. Let others know you are having fun
3. Invite them to come play radio with you!

    Over the years we have successfully used a wide range of "things" as antennas: dog kennels (sans puppy), metal folding chairs, painting easels, load locks, chicken wire, fences, pickup trucks, and more common items such as metal ladders and metal tape measures. The possibilities are nearly endless!

  Share the magic of radio & Develop your skills

1. Apply fundamental antenna building skills to challenging real-world problems.
2. Understand what common-day objects may be transformed into antennas.
3. Learn to use a manual transmatch (ATU, Antenna Tuner).
4. Gain public exposure for ham radio, both for its utilitarian functions & entertainment value.
5. Rekindle licensed hams enthusiasm for our great service.
6. Spark a love for radio in another person
7. Demonstrate the flexibility of ham radio.
8. Have a lot of fun doing it!

 
Join us in the fun!

    All hams are encouraged to run their own "satellite" k0s station. Just stay away from "normal" antenna material such as wire and pipes, unless they form a larger structure that is obviously not an antenna. Setting up an entire tent and flying that as a "strange" antenna is one of my favorite examples.

    Browse the rest of the web pages. See what others have already done and then start looking around. Are there existing structures that can form the "ground" side of a Strange Antenna? To what metal objects can you safely apply RF?

    Use your imagination and most importantly, have fun!
    73 ~ Erik n0ew