I need your help!

Status
Not open for further replies.

Thread Starter

KL7AJ

Joined Nov 4, 2008
2,229
Greetings all experimentally minded hams! I am writing a QST article, or perhaps a series. I need to collect a lot of data from across the country.

What I need you to do is build a 40 meter wire dipole, precisely 67 feet long, including center insulator or balun.

I need you to lay it on the ground in a straight line. With an antenna analyzer, Noise bridge, RX bridge or other instrument you're competent with.....

I need to know the precise frequency of resonance (0 reactance) and the resistance value, preferably within 0.1 ohms.

I need two measurements, one at high noon local time, and one at midnight local time.

I need your coordinates (as closely as possible) and a description of your terrain. I don't care if it's in a swamp or over a concrete sidewalk. I just need to know the radiation resistance and resonant frequency at ground level.

This will be a REALLY cool experiment. I'll be putting a simple spreadsheet together that you can fill out.

Thanks immensely!

More exciting information to follow.


Eric
 

Thread Starter

KL7AJ

Joined Nov 4, 2008
2,229
Greetings all experimentally minded hams! I am writing a QST article, or perhaps a series. I need to collect a lot of data from across the country.

What I need you to do is build a 40 meter wire dipole, precisely 67 feet long, including center insulator or balun.

I need you to lay it on the ground in a straight line. With an antenna analyzer, Noise bridge, RX bridge or other instrument you're competent with.....

I need to know the precise frequency of resonance (0 reactance) and the resistance value, preferably within 0.1 ohms.

I need two measurements, one at high noon local time, and one at midnight local time.

I need your coordinates (as closely as possible) and a description of your terrain. I don't care if it's in a swamp or over a concrete sidewalk. I just need to know the radiation resistance and resonant frequency at ground level.

This will be a REALLY cool experiment. I'll be putting a simple spreadsheet together that you can fill out.

Thanks immensely!

More exciting information to follow.


Eric
Well, that was a thunderous round of indifference!
 

BR-549

Joined Sep 22, 2013
4,928
Alright let's see now.....

all you need is for me to purchase and construct a 40 meter dipole with an insulator at exactly 67 ft. long.

and install at ground level.

then at noon and midnight, you want me to measure the precise resonant frequency and the radiation resistance.

I'm excited.
 

PRFGADGET

Joined Aug 8, 2011
53
A few point's for consideration !
1. The U.S.G.S. did rather extensive Ground Conductivity Testing (EARTHING) some years ago , their Map's are available online, this seems to be where you are headed (whether you realize it or not).
2. All commercial Radio Stations" (and many Amateur Operators , especially contest stations using the "light bulb test") and Power Productions facility's do "EARTHING" study's before building their installations, why not just pick out some in your area's of interest and send them an e-mail and ask for their data (you might be surprised).
3. The actual point of your request seems to be lost (to me at least) except for your interest in 40 meters. perhaps a bit more detailed explanation of what you think you wish to accomplish is in order, we may be able to help "smooth" the path a bit.

While the price of Commercial Ground Testing (earthing) equipment has come down considerably over the past years and "MFJ" has done a good job of making the "259" series antenna analyzer affordable, not every ham has these toy's available or has the knowledge to use them correctly.

I have to agree with "BR-549" , you seem to be asking people to spend what will amount to a good deal (for some) of money, time, and effort , FOR WHAT ?
Not to mention that a properly constructed Dipole will be at resonance (R0) and will change very little at it's proper elevation , laid out on the ground it will change and go out of "tune" , add moisture content , rain , snow , ambient temperature ect. , these factories will all have an effect on the point of resonance.
 

alfacliff

Joined Dec 13, 2013
2,458
there is a mode of propagation called NVIS near vertical incidense skywave that uses low mounted antennas for better close in (up to 300 miles) comunications. that might be what you are trying to do, but those would be mounted about 1 to 12 feet high for best results. the reflective layer in the ionosphere changes hcight from noon to midnight, but I dont see how it could affect the antenna, only the distance you could talk.
 

BR-549

Joined Sep 22, 2013
4,928
Maybe there is a difference in the earth's charge, between the facing side and the dark side to the sun.

Or maybe the earth's dielectric properties change daily due to environmental cycles.

It is curious.
 

jpanhalt

Joined Jan 18, 2008
11,087
Hi Eric,

I am not a ham, but I support such experimentation. I live in the country and suspect there are many hams in my area. The only big antenna within several miles that I see is approximately here:

upload_2015-3-24_12-27-8.png

The address is at the intersection of Quarry Road and Ohio State Route 20 in Oberlin, OH 44074. Several times a year, I see his antenna taken down on the field -- I suppose for some modification or adjustment. If getting his call sign would be helpful to you, I would be happy to stop on my net trip into Cleveland.

John
 

Thread Starter

KL7AJ

Joined Nov 4, 2008
2,229
Alright let's see now.....

all you need is for me to purchase and construct a 40 meter dipole with an insulator at exactly 67 ft. long.

and install at ground level.

then at noon and midnight, you want me to measure the precise resonant frequency and the radiation resistance.

I'm excited.
As well you should be! :)
 

Thread Starter

KL7AJ

Joined Nov 4, 2008
2,229
A few point's for consideration !
1. The U.S.G.S. did rather extensive Ground Conductivity Testing (EARTHING) some years ago , their Map's are available online, this seems to be where you are headed (whether you realize it or not).
2. All commercial Radio Stations" (and many Amateur Operators , especially contest stations using the "light bulb test") and Power Productions facility's do "EARTHING" study's before building their installations, why not just pick out some in your area's of interest and send them an e-mail and ask for their data (you might be surprised).
3. The actual point of your request seems to be lost (to me at least) except for your interest in 40 meters. perhaps a bit more detailed explanation of what you think you wish to accomplish is in order, we may be able to help "smooth" the path a bit.

While the price of Commercial Ground Testing (earthing) equipment has come down considerably over the past years and "MFJ" has done a good job of making the "259" series antenna analyzer affordable, not every ham has these toy's available or has the knowledge to use them correctly.

I have to agree with "BR-549" , you seem to be asking people to spend what will amount to a good deal (for some) of money, time, and effort , FOR WHAT ?
Not to mention that a properly constructed Dipole will be at resonance (R0) and will change very little at it's proper elevation , laid out on the ground it will change and go out of "tune" , add moisture content , rain , snow , ambient temperature ect. , these factories will all have an effect on the point of resonance.
This is not a ground conductivity test.
 

Thread Starter

KL7AJ

Joined Nov 4, 2008
2,229
Greetings all experimentally minded hams! I am writing a QST article, or perhaps a series. I need to collect a lot of data from across the country.

What I need you to do is build a 40 meter wire dipole, precisely 67 feet long, including center insulator or balun.

I need you to lay it on the ground in a straight line. With an antenna analyzer, Noise bridge, RX bridge or other instrument you're competent with.....

I need to know the precise frequency of resonance (0 reactance) and the resistance value, preferably within 0.1 ohms.

I need two measurements, one at high noon local time, and one at midnight local time.

I need your coordinates (as closely as possible) and a description of your terrain. I don't care if it's in a swamp or over a concrete sidewalk. I just need to know the radiation resistance and resonant frequency at ground level.

This will be a REALLY cool experiment. I'll be putting a simple spreadsheet together that you can fill out.

Thanks immensely!

More exciting information to follow.


Eric
To answer a previous question...I'm not expecting anyone to buy anything....just enlisting the participation of anyone who already has the equipment. (And anyone can use an extra 40 meter dipole, right? :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top