Announcing....
THE GREAT HF NVIS Antenna Challenge REMATCH

Due to popular demand, CT ARES - Region 2 is pleased to sponsor this HF NVIS Antenna REMATCH communications event. It is open to all CT ARES TEAM members in each of the 5 Regions.

With the "warming" temperatures, AND BEFORE THE NEXT HURRICANE ACTUALLY HITS, NOW is a great time to build and test your "field portable/deployable" HF NVIS Antenna for 75m and 40m Phone.

CRITERIA
1) Must be easily field PORTABLE.
2) Must be easily field DEPLOYABLE.
3) Must be HORIZONTALLY Polarized (Inverted "V" is okay)
4) Antenna Height NOT GREATER than 15 feet AGL (Above Ground Level)
5) Must be able to transmit on: 3.973 and 7.280 MHz. (+/- 10 kHz)
6) Antenna Tuners MAY be used.

PRE-REGISTRATION is REQUESTED
In order to know who to listen for, please send an email to [email protected]
to advise of your entry in this event.
- Registrations due by: Thursday, Sept. 12

EVENT FORMAT (Note the slight changes)
We will run a "Directed Net" on each of the two frequencies beginning at the specified times.

EXCHANGE
Upon the request of Net Control each station will give the following exchange at a slow regulated pace for all hear and write down a Signal Report for the station transmitting in their Log:

"Net Control, This is _______(your Callsign) / First Name / Town / State / # Watts
(Repeat)
"Net Control, This is _______(your Callsign) / First Name / Town / State / #Watts
Back to Net Control, This is________ (your Callsign).

Please notice the INTENTIONAL LACK of ANTENNA INFORMAITON during the exchange.
- This is done so as not to bias signal reports.
This information will be submitted with each station's Signal Report Log via email to WA1SFH

DATE: Saturday - Sept. 14

TIMES:
The Competition times are scheduled to simulate the average Daytime and Nighttime operating that we would expect during an event.

40m NVIS TEST: 100 watts (max.)
1600 (Local)

DINNER BREAK

75m NVIS TEST: 100 watts (max.)
2100 (Local)

LOGGING
We need accurate information.
Each station will keep and Signal Log (Excel spreadsheet to be provided) of other stations signal Readablity (1-5) and Strength (1-9).

- Signal Reports given are to be REAL and conservative (think somewhat stingy).

- Only BOOMING, "Where did that (expletive deleted) come from?", BLOW YOU OUT OF YOUR CHAIR signals qualify for a 5-9 report.

- The ubiquitous and improperly used "5-9 Timbuctoo, CT" won't help us in our post contest evaluations.

- Signal Logs are to be submitted at the end of the event (not later than Sunday, midnight). No stamps required.
Please send them to: [email protected]


PHOTOGRAPHS
We would be pleased to post digital pictures of your HF NVIS Challenge Antenna here at the website.
Please submit 3 photos of your NVIS Antenna :
- Set-up
- Pre-packed layout display of components
- Packed and ready to carry.


AWARDS
In addition to "bragging rights", there will be a special prize for the person with the best judged signal in each of the power categories for each band (8 awards).

- You are on Your Honor to only run the specified power in each category. Using more power in any category defeats the purpose of this event to gather empiricle data, etc., etc.

- Judge's Decision is Final... but can be bought. (LOL!)


ANTENNAS
Whether it be the generic "Hamstick" dipole on a 12 foot mast, a Buddipole (Commercial or Homebrewed), one of the several antenna types mentioned below, or something else...THE CHOICE is yours.

Links:
"Hamstick" Dipole
Background Info
"Hamstick" is now a generic term for any monoband mobile vertical HF antennas. HAMSTICKs were made by the Lakelview Co.
- Sadly, this company closed just prior to January 2012.

Last update: 06/16/06
Dual Ham-Stick:
Scroll 3/4 down this linked page
www.w0ipl.net/ECom/NVIS/nvis.htm

Note:
Look for a manufacturer that allows easy, no retune assembly and disassembly.
- I may be mistaken, but from my research (and personal experience) I have found that the Jetstream single band mobile antennas (e.g. JTMHF40 & JTMHF75) have this feature.

^^ Variation
2 Bands+ : The "Octopus"
mysite.verizon.net/cpthaines/id33.html

Note:
Jetstream antenna's are locally available in Region 2 at:
Quicksilver Radio Products (Meriden)
www.qsradio.com/HFAntennas.htm

Homebrewed Buddipole
sites.google.com/site/w3ffhomepage/homebrew-buddipole-plans
and
www.w2swr.com/pdf/homebrew-buddipole.pdf

75/60/40 Meter NVIS Portable Antenna
www.eham.net/articles/5747
Note:
Ham Source (Shelton) carries a commercially made version of this similar antenna (you supply the 15' pole/mast).
(www.vcars.org/tech/NVIS.html)
www.hamsource.com/nvis.html

Make A Quick, Easy, Cheap, NVIS Antenna for Roadside Operating
- ”K.I.S.S.” (Keep It Simple Sherlock)
www.emcomm.org/projects/nvis.htm

The N1FNE & KB1EHE amazing: "Versatile wire antenna and method"
ctaresregion2.org/forum/antenna-central/...-antenna-project#200
ctaresregion2.org/forum/antenna-central/...-antenna-project#219
ctaresregion2.org/forum/antenna-central/...-antenna-project#220

Want to build a Loop Antenna?
- Go for it!