2. Ham Radio

Virginia Peak, NV (W7/WC-010) SOTA Activation - 12/28/2011

Dec 28, 2011 activation of Virginia Peak for ham radio's Summits On The Air activity.
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HFTA output for a beam heading of 60 degrees, comparing my low antenna (in red) to a dipole antenna over flat ground and up 1/2 wavelength (in blue). Unlike at Peavine Peak and Dixie Mountain where HFTA showed my antenna outperforming the dipole by several dB, it is actually underperforming along this heading. The bar graph along the bottom shows the relative probability of signals from the U.S. arriving at various takeoff angles. My antenna was running roughly North-South (maximum signal to the East-West) so these comparisons are valid. However, my antenna was in the inverted-V configuration as opposed to a flattop dipole, so the terrain effects may not have been quite as significant as shown here.
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HFTA output for a beam heading of 60 degrees, comparing my low antenna (in red) to a dipole antenna over flat ground and up 1/2 wavelength (in blue). Unlike at Peavine Peak and Dixie Mountain where HFTA showed my antenna outperforming the dipole by several dB, it is actually underperforming along this heading. The bar graph along the bottom shows the relative probability of signals from the U.S. arriving at various takeoff angles. My antenna was running roughly North-South (maximum signal to the East-West) so these comparisons are valid. However, my antenna was in the inverted-V configuration as opposed to a flattop dipole, so the terrain effects may not have been quite as significant as shown here.

HFTAOutputVirginiaPeakMyAntennaVsDipoleUpHalfWavelengthOverFlatGround60Degrees

  • All packed up and ready to hike back down.
  • On the way down, looking toward the north. My ATV is barely visible about halfway to that other peak, on the downhill side of the road.
  • Terrain profile along a beam heading of 60 degrees. This heading is for New England and Eastern Canada.
  • HFTA output for a beam heading of 60 degrees, comparing my low antenna (in red) to a dipole antenna over flat ground and up 1/2 wavelength (in blue). Unlike at Peavine Peak and Dixie Mountain where HFTA showed my antenna outperforming the dipole by several dB, it is actually underperforming along this heading. The bar graph along the bottom shows the relative probability of signals from the U.S. arriving at various takeoff angles. My antenna was running roughly North-South (maximum signal to the East-West) so these comparisons are valid. However, my antenna was in the inverted-V configuration as opposed to a flattop dipole, so the terrain effects may not have been quite as significant as shown here.
  • Terrain profile along a beam heading of 75 degrees. This heading is for most of the U.S.
  • HFTA output for a beam heading of 75 degrees, comparing my low antenna (in red) to a dipole antenna over flat ground and up 1/2 wavelength (in blue). My antenna outperforms the dipole by several dB at low takeoff angles thanks to the downsloping terrain. Low takeoff angles are best for long-distance communications. The bar graph along the bottom shows the relative probability of signals from the U.S. arriving at various takeoff angles. At the higher angles most likely to be in use, the dipole is outperforming my antenna. My antenna was running roughly North-South (maximum signal to the East-West) so these comparisons are valid. However, my antenna was in the inverted-V configuration as opposed to a flattop dipole, so the terrain effects may not have been quite as significant as shown here (i.e., my antenna may not perform quite as well as shown).
  • Terrain profile along a beam heading of 90 degrees. This heading is for the southeastern U.S.
  • HFTA output for a beam heading of 90 degrees, comparing my low antenna (in red) to a dipole antenna over flat ground and up 1/2 wavelength (in blue). My antenna outperforms the dipole by several dB at low takeoff angles thanks to the downsloping terrain. Low takeoff angles are best for long-distance communications. The bar graph along the bottom shows the relative probability of signals from the U.S. arriving at various takeoff angles. At the higher angles most likely to be in use, the dipole is outperforming my antenna. My antenna was running roughly North-South (maximum signal to the East-West) so these comparisons are valid. However, my antenna was in the inverted-V configuration as opposed to a flattop dipole, so the terrain effects may not have been quite as significant as shown here (i.e., my antenna may not perform quite as well as shown).
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