RadioSport season is over the horizon with October and November packed with high volume Q-generating events like the California QSO Party, Sweepstakes, and CQ World Wide DX. This year, I'm reading from the experts like Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, whom wrote another informative article in the March/April 2002 issue, of the National Contest Journal.
This time, K9LA, succinctly described the importance of ground, from a big picture point of view. It was explained to me once that if you want to win, set a world record, or have a kilowatt of a good time pursuing both then operate from the best location possible.
Luetzelschwab, in his previous article plotted reflection loss versus angle of incidence, against four types of ground. I learned after reading Luetzelschwab's article that ground beneath the antenna cannot be separated from antenna characteristics like standing wave or front-to-back measurements.
The best ground is salt water and the worst is polar ice when plotting reflection loss versus angle of incidence according to his article. Luetzelschwab's findings suggest the following as the quality of ground worsens reflection losses increase; 10m signals are significantly degraded whereas reflection loss is about equal at 10m and 160m at worse ground (eg. Polar); vertically polarized signals suffer significant reflection loss as ground worsens; and vertically or horizontally polarized reflection loss is equal at either 90 and zero (grazing) degrees.
Luetzelschwab suggested if considering either a winning score, setting a record, or combination of both then search out optimal ground that takes advantage of multi-hop propagation. Ever wonder why certain locations on the planet are sought out by world class operators? Salt water is the best ground for mitigating reflection loss according to his article.
The idea is to put as much salt water between you and your target areas. Likewise, I have argued about distinct coastal characteristics into major population centers, especially in a DX event like CQ World Wide. Luetzalschwab confirmed that distance into Q-rich and multiplier robust Europe is an East Coast advantage. Furthermore, consider Slide 15 implications on the future of the game, that is North American rate sustainment through 48 hours of operation?
On the other hand, Luetzelschwab further suggested when choosing your location not only distance but atmospheric noise and low latitude propagation. According to the 2002 article, there are three truly ideal locations to consider and they are the Canary Islands; Madeira Islands; and Cape Verde Islands ranked as best location. However, Luetzalschwab mentioned additional locations, that one can win, set a world record, or both.
Ground does make a difference and the best ground is salt water, lots of it between you and your target areas. Likewise, factoring latitude, atmospheric noise, and distance cannot be minimized when considering location. Furthermore, antenna performance hinges on the dirt beneath the metal, sometimes explaining why a system fails despite high expectations of owner.
If you have a chance find page 16 in the March/April 2002 issue of the National Contest Journal. Likewise, keep in mind, Micro DB Theory and what micro-improvements can be made before RadioSport's October opener.
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.
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