Subj : Looking into HAMing...
To   : Angus McLeod
From : Deuce
Date : Sat Aug 20 2005 03:15 pm

  Re: Looking into HAMing...
  By: Angus McLeod to Deuce on Sat Aug 20 2005 08:47:00

 >  > I was thinking that with nearby power lines I'd want a vertical...
 > 
 > Ok, just remember that a vertical is the noisiest antenna you can get.
 > 
 >  > and for $20 new per band I'd have a total antenna expense of $60 *and*
 >  > be able to easily keep the kids away from it.  Anything I need ground
 >  > space for I need to build fence or something...
 > 
 > If you want to run a wire anrtenna like a dipole, you put up a couple of
 > posts to hold the ends off the ground.
 > 
 >  > Of course, there are regular residential power lines... 120v 60Hz... not 
 >  > what kind of interference to expect from them.  ("these are...")
 > 
 > Certain utility poles will generate more noise than others.  If it gets
 > bad, you get someone to sit by the rig and go out with a sledge hammer.
 > Whack the pole a mighty one, and see if there is a noticeable surge in the
 > noise.  If you find one or more poles that are noisy, call up the utility
 > company and complain.  They should fix it.  As time goes by, the
 > conditions at the top of the pole will deteriorate, so every couple of
 > years you end up swinging the sledge hammer again...

Yeah, but I was thinking that the noise from the power lines would have to be
horizontally polarized, so the -20dB drop from a vertical would help deal with
it.  Plus, as a beginner, I'll be using low end kit so with a directional
scanning and rotating would probobly drive me up the wall.  I suppose a
horizinal laid acrss the roof may be doable, but then it'd not only be at about
the same hight as the power lines, but also parallel to them.  Just stuff I
worry about... of course, once  actually get a licence and rig I'm sure I'll
play with everything I can afford.

---
 þ Synchronet þ ``Penguins make tasty snacks''

.