Largest StepIR installation

[VE3EN]

Check this out... that is just crazy... claims to be largest SteppIR installation.

pretty interesting.
http://www.kkn.net/dayton2006/K9LTN.pdf

[KC0W]

Thanks for posting this!!!

Someone sent me this link in June but I lost it, been looking for it ever since.

This really is a massive HF array. The only time the word "array" is usually used is when you are talking about EME antenna systems.........This guy has to have the only HF Array in the world.

I would estimate (loosely) that he had to have spent at least $70,000+ on this antenna system & installation.


Tom kcØw

[KI4PEQ]

Maybe he won the lottery. That's the only way I could afford it

[k9kjm]

Yep, A very impressive array indeed!

A quick glance at the photos makes it look like a violation of the basic rule to pour your concrete against undisturbed soil only, UNTIL you look close to see that the part with the form is just the "appearance" part that goes above ground! #The real part of the anchor is much larger and below that!
Also note the liberal use of zinc cold galvanize to keep misc. parts from rusting in the air..... # #This looks like a real quality installation! #
AND I bet it really gets out too!!!!!! # # # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[w5mlr]

Okay, I'm going to have to clean up my laptop now. Slobbering on one's keyboard is not a good thing. This array is HARDCORE!!!

[WB2WIK]

Model making is such a cool art.

I remember when I made hat model back in June. The actual beams are about 2" long and made of painted toothpicks. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Only kidding, that thing's a monster!

WB2WIK/6

[VE3EN]

hmm.. maybe ill win the lottery !

[ne6ao]

I would like to know how much time from beginng to end it took and also the money,I mean what was his motivation,will this be onlyham or what

[k9kjm]

A very good point if this huge array will be for ham use only.......... # #Between winning contests he could lease it out to the NSA and recoup its somewhat large cost in no time!
Those antennas DO work on ANY frequency within the range............ # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[KG4RUL]

Drool

[ne6ao]

Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ Sep. 26 2006,05:45)]Drool
ditto dittoexponent100

[K9VQ]

I would love to build something like that if I won Lotto. Might have a problem with the xyl, she doesn't like the looks of my skinny Butternut in the middle of the back yard. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[N5KRC]

Quote[/b] (K9VQ @ Sep. 26 2006,00:47)]Might have a problem with the xyl, she doesn't like the looks of my skinny Butternut in the middle of the back yard. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
If you win the lottery, give her a large shoe budget; She'll look the other way. At least mine would! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Scott, N5KRC

[n9vo]

Wonder if that would hear any better than a g5rv??

What a setup!!!!

[W0LPQ]

Jim when you gonna put yours up?? Wouldn't that liven up your town..!

Bill, W0LPQ

[ac7k]

How much do you think that whole setup cost?

Eric

[VE3EN]

i keep looking at the photos, still in shock lol http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[k9zmd]

Studying picture #53 answered a few questions.

There is a microphone visible if you search the picture carefully; however, there's no need to search for the bright, brassy evidence that this is a CW station. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Many weeks ago, someone asked if it was too nerdy to mark his contacts with pins on a map. #The consensus was, "go for it". #And now, along comes Pic #53 to prove that it is perfectly acceptable, even when you can afford the very best.

Speaking of affording the very best, that picture shows me it would be a mistake to trade in my decades old Heathkit HM-102 SWR/Watt Meter for something more modern. #

Gary, K9ZMD
Palmdale, CA

[KI4RDB]

WOW!!! A project that went from summer to fall to winter, and back to at least spring. I'm impressed!

[K7FE]

A friend of mine, Mike, K6AER made these observations.
after talking to K9LTN at Dayton this year.

Mike ask him about his modeling and he had mentioned they used the gain and ground reflection in the modeling of the six antenna stack. Did he input the vertical plane of the SteppIR and calculate the interaction of adjacent vertical planes?...no. With the antenna at different heights how did the multiple ground reflections affect the antenna pattern? He could not model that................ That is a huge unknown.

So they talked about how the power divider was built and he said he was using a stack match times two??? OK but how to you feed all the antennas with equal power as well as phase. The divider is built in sets of two. Unless the feed system is set up for a triple split how do you feed six antennas with equal phase? He said he can only can feed 4 antennas at a time.

OK, he put about $400,000 into a antenna system that produces a theoretical 6 dB of gain which K9LTN said he has not yet obtained in actual operation.

Phasing of the antennas and the actual phasing of each antenna (SteppIR's can change their phase greatly depending on their tuning). The owner never tested each antenna for coherent phase. By assuming the phase of each antenna was the same, he built the stack phasing system. Coherent phase of each antenna can be off by 20-30 degrees. That means that two antennas could be different by as much as 60 degrees, depending on tuning. The beam elevation could be effected by 40 degrees when you think the phasing is a zero.

A more cost effective way would have been to use two stacked antennas, place the station in a very quiet receive location, purchase the current "best" receiver and added a 6 dB greater amp. Same results for under $40,000 (one tenth of the array cost).

73,
Terry, K7FE