2008 KØS, Strange Antenna Challenge^SM

Arnold Solomon, KC4ZUA
Jersey, GA

2008 KØS Strange Antenna Challenge(SM) Special Event Atlanta Satellite Station:

• 2nd Annual Atlanta-Area KØS Special Event Satellite Station & Cookout
• Additional Photo Gallary

I recommend following the above links. These guys really did a "Strange Antenna Field Day" and it looks like a ton of fun! I think we could all learn something by taking a page from their playbook. -73- Erik N0ew

    Hello Erik,

    It is hard to argue with success, so once again I got out my 20 foot aluminum extension ladder and adjusted it to a length of 16’ 5" for resonance on the 20 meter band. An SWR of 1.5:1 was measured during low power testing of the antenna at 14.250 MHz. The radio I used for the challenge was an Alinco DX-70T with an output power of 100 watts. To allow me to operate on multiple bands, I added an LDG Z-11 Pro auto tuner to my station. The ladder antenna was fed with coaxial cable from a comfortable operating position on my screened porch. The center conductor of the coax was fastened to the ladder with a sheet metal screw. The shield of the coax was joined to the three chicken wire fence radials with sheet metal screws and fender washers. A Pine 2 x 4 and some small pieces of wood provided insulation and an interconnection point for the antenna. Three screw anchors and cargo straps held the ladder in the upright position during the event. My DX contacts included Zivko, S52BB, in Slovenia and Dit, DL7OK, in Cologne, Germany. I had numerous 20 meter contacts, with two being at the QRP power level. Both James, KC0TRK/P, in Colorado and Jack, KC8UEC, in Ohio were operating using just 5 watts SSB.

    73, Arnold Solomon, KC4ZUA

    Jersey, Georgia