n0ew
03-11-2008, 02:25 AM
The Strange Antenna Challenge, k0s, takes place over the entire Memorial Day Weekend. _OUR_ antennas are NOT permitted to be constructed of wire or metal pipe. Past antennas have included such items as metal folding chairs, chicken wire, fences, trampolines, ladders, and trucks. We intend to remain in the general class portion of all bands used. In the past, we have spent the most time on 20- or 40-meters. NON-k0s stations may use any antenna they wish. Additional information and updates may be found at http://www.n0ew.org/k0s/
Those willing to observe a few simple rules of conduct and who are willing to send logs and images of their "Strange Antennas" to n0ew may run a k0s "satellite" station (see the web site for details). More people do so every year! Some do it for grins in their back yard, and others use this special event to spearhead a club membership drive. And for good reason. The K0S Strange Antenna Challenge offers a great public relations / media opportunity! To many people this is so "strange" we can't hold the event in April. Some people still don't believe it until they see a ladder-antenna talking across the states! Additionally field day is only a month away and this is a fun way to verify your equipment is working properly.
Are there any other reasons to us such strange antennas? We certainly think so!
Practiced skills include increased ability to match your transceiver to an extremely wide range of antennas via a transmatch (antenna tuner) or by physically adjusting the antenna itself. You will learn how to recognize which pieces of metal may form an emergency antenna. Following the ravages of a natural disaster, enabling HF communications without use of "normal" antennas is a potentially life-saving skill. As the oceans warm and greater magnitude storms are experienced, your "Strange Antenna" skills may be the difference between having no communications for a couple weeks, and becoming a vital communications link.
Not to be overlooked however is the simple pleasure of making a couple pieces of scrap metal perform as well as your neighbors dipole! And it certainly makes for great conversation at the next hamfest or club meeting! Many "old timers" have had similar experiences years ago using tube radios, but many others find this a novel experience and a lot of fun.
Radios with tube finals inherently match a much wider range of impedances than transistor-based rigs. Before transmitting with a non-tube XCVR we suggest you measure your swr. Then use an impedance matching device, or alternate method, to adjust the "Strange Antenna" impedance to something close to 50-Ohms (because that is what most late-model rigs are designed to transmit into). For those interested in learning more about transmatches and antennas --both normal and strange-- some have found the free PDF "Field Manual" on n0ew's web site useful.
Those desiring a K0S Special Event QSL Confirmation should email erik@n0ew.org for a PDF certificate, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to Erik Weaver, n0ew/k0s, 4857 E. Farm Road 136, Springfield, MO, 65809 (within 2-4 weeks of the event please). Postage to Canada is about $1 USD. If you contact a "satellite" k0s station ("callsign/k0s" as opposed to the 1x1 special event call) contact them directly for QSL instructions.
Hope to hear you on the air, Strange Antenna or not!
73-Erik Weaver n0ew
Title: k0s Strange Antenna Challenge
Event Type: Special Event, K0S
Starting Date: 05/24/08 (Memorial Day Weekend, All Three Days)
Ending Date: 05/26/08
URL: http://www.n0ew.org/k0s/
Contact: Erik Weaver n0ew
Email: erik@n0ew.org
Those willing to observe a few simple rules of conduct and who are willing to send logs and images of their "Strange Antennas" to n0ew may run a k0s "satellite" station (see the web site for details). More people do so every year! Some do it for grins in their back yard, and others use this special event to spearhead a club membership drive. And for good reason. The K0S Strange Antenna Challenge offers a great public relations / media opportunity! To many people this is so "strange" we can't hold the event in April. Some people still don't believe it until they see a ladder-antenna talking across the states! Additionally field day is only a month away and this is a fun way to verify your equipment is working properly.
Are there any other reasons to us such strange antennas? We certainly think so!
Practiced skills include increased ability to match your transceiver to an extremely wide range of antennas via a transmatch (antenna tuner) or by physically adjusting the antenna itself. You will learn how to recognize which pieces of metal may form an emergency antenna. Following the ravages of a natural disaster, enabling HF communications without use of "normal" antennas is a potentially life-saving skill. As the oceans warm and greater magnitude storms are experienced, your "Strange Antenna" skills may be the difference between having no communications for a couple weeks, and becoming a vital communications link.
Not to be overlooked however is the simple pleasure of making a couple pieces of scrap metal perform as well as your neighbors dipole! And it certainly makes for great conversation at the next hamfest or club meeting! Many "old timers" have had similar experiences years ago using tube radios, but many others find this a novel experience and a lot of fun.
Radios with tube finals inherently match a much wider range of impedances than transistor-based rigs. Before transmitting with a non-tube XCVR we suggest you measure your swr. Then use an impedance matching device, or alternate method, to adjust the "Strange Antenna" impedance to something close to 50-Ohms (because that is what most late-model rigs are designed to transmit into). For those interested in learning more about transmatches and antennas --both normal and strange-- some have found the free PDF "Field Manual" on n0ew's web site useful.
Those desiring a K0S Special Event QSL Confirmation should email erik@n0ew.org for a PDF certificate, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to Erik Weaver, n0ew/k0s, 4857 E. Farm Road 136, Springfield, MO, 65809 (within 2-4 weeks of the event please). Postage to Canada is about $1 USD. If you contact a "satellite" k0s station ("callsign/k0s" as opposed to the 1x1 special event call) contact them directly for QSL instructions.
Hope to hear you on the air, Strange Antenna or not!
73-Erik Weaver n0ew
Title: k0s Strange Antenna Challenge
Event Type: Special Event, K0S
Starting Date: 05/24/08 (Memorial Day Weekend, All Three Days)
Ending Date: 05/26/08
URL: http://www.n0ew.org/k0s/
Contact: Erik Weaver n0ew
Email: erik@n0ew.org