After much study to include the webpage I made regarding the KISS-SSB, I tried a new-to-me counterpoise system. I knew it was going to be long so I ordered 200' of 18AWG wire for this test. The purpose was to see if I would get any different results against the existing counterpoise I now have.
I used 4 lengths of wire at 33.5', 18', 16', and 14'. These were the values given on the KISS-SSB webpage. You can figure out the frequency per each length by using the formula 234/length in feet.
After cutting I folded the wires as a group. First I measure the height from my balun to the top of the patio cover. That was 8'. The remaining wire was folded into 6'. Total length of wires reduced to 14'. I taped at each fold but will eventually put the whole mess in a tube. I went with 8' to keep the mass of the wire on the patio cover and not hanging off of the balun.
Results: When I first turned on the radio I heard some activity on 20m (14300 KHz). Don't normally hear that even on a good day. So initial feeling was good. I then tuned all the bands I use. Some got a 1.0:1 SWR but the worst was 1.6:1 SWR. I was able to resolve that by retuning and got it down to 1.2:1. I can live with those figures. The tuner by the way is a MFJ929 Automatic Smart Tuner.
First test was to try and connect to WINLINK station in Austin Tx. First I tried on 5 watts and got a hit, but was not reliable. Up the power to 25 watts and locked with the server. This is using WINMOR, not PACTOR. Those who have PACTOR are lucky. But WINMOR works just fine.
Next test was to move to 40 Meters which is a no go for me during the day. I connected right away with the WINLINK station is San Rafael Ca. Normally I can hit him in the early morning or late evening, but not midday. So that was a positive event with the new counterpoise.
I plan on making one more so I have basically a double counterpoise system. Will it improve my contacts? Might, might not. We will see.
I bought an antenna analyzer (MFJ259C) and tried to get some readings from the counterpoise. It didn't show much in the way of good dips, but the counterpoise works to a degree.
Later!
I used 4 lengths of wire at 33.5', 18', 16', and 14'. These were the values given on the KISS-SSB webpage. You can figure out the frequency per each length by using the formula 234/length in feet.
After cutting I folded the wires as a group. First I measure the height from my balun to the top of the patio cover. That was 8'. The remaining wire was folded into 6'. Total length of wires reduced to 14'. I taped at each fold but will eventually put the whole mess in a tube. I went with 8' to keep the mass of the wire on the patio cover and not hanging off of the balun.
Results: When I first turned on the radio I heard some activity on 20m (14300 KHz). Don't normally hear that even on a good day. So initial feeling was good. I then tuned all the bands I use. Some got a 1.0:1 SWR but the worst was 1.6:1 SWR. I was able to resolve that by retuning and got it down to 1.2:1. I can live with those figures. The tuner by the way is a MFJ929 Automatic Smart Tuner.
First test was to try and connect to WINLINK station in Austin Tx. First I tried on 5 watts and got a hit, but was not reliable. Up the power to 25 watts and locked with the server. This is using WINMOR, not PACTOR. Those who have PACTOR are lucky. But WINMOR works just fine.
Next test was to move to 40 Meters which is a no go for me during the day. I connected right away with the WINLINK station is San Rafael Ca. Normally I can hit him in the early morning or late evening, but not midday. So that was a positive event with the new counterpoise.
I plan on making one more so I have basically a double counterpoise system. Will it improve my contacts? Might, might not. We will see.
I bought an antenna analyzer (MFJ259C) and tried to get some readings from the counterpoise. It didn't show much in the way of good dips, but the counterpoise works to a degree.
Later!