From: WarmSpgs@aol.com
Message-ID: <79.e2795b3.277b8737@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 12:56:07 EST
Subject: Re: LF: Big/small antennas.
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Precedence: bulk
Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
Sender: <majordom@post.thorcom.com>

Walter is quite right, of course, that amateurs are not bound by the 24hr - 
365 days/year service requirements imposed upon professional LF systems 
engineers.  However, the examples he cites abundantly demonstrate that the 
tradeoffs amateurs sometimes have to make are still poor engineering 
practice, even if not intended for professional ends.

The use of kilowatts of transmitter power to produce 1W ERP imposes a 
burdensome cost on what is fundamentally a hobby activity, results in serious 
electrical and (potentially) fire safety hazards, and requires extraordinary 
effort to satisfy the neighbors'  aesthetic values and keep their television 
receivers happy.

Let me be very clear: I'm absolutely NOT a big-antennas-or-nothing advocate.  
I realize that not everyone has hectares of open land, and may have to adapt 
to their surroundings.  On the other hand, I also hold the view that RF 
egalitarianism is not always feasible, and at some point we have to accept 
that LF in a garden plot is not likely to achieve 1W ERP unless we can throw 
almost as much money and/or work into the transmitter as we would into an 
"antenna farm."

Nor does it matter that we radiate 1W if we can't receive as far as we 
transmit, thanks to urban or suburban noise levels on LF.  Our goals have to 
fit our means.

Where I live, I'm surrounded by neighbors who watch a distant TV station on 
US channel 2.  The result is that I cannot reasonably figure to work DX on 
6m.  By the time I resolved all the RFI issues, I would have to pawn most of 
my radio gear.  Therefore, I must plan the occasional field expedition if  I 
choose to work 6m.

We will have a very serious limitation over here, if or when the FCC approves 
LF ham regulations.  The "California kilowatt" stations won't be on this side 
of the pond.

You may be aware that a 2W ERP limit has been proposed.  However, out of 
safety and EMC concerns, a 200W PEP transmitter power limit has also been 
proposed.  There won't be any 3kW transmitters here.  We will just plain 
_have_ to do the job with semi-efficient antenna systems!  Hence, not every 
US ham who wants to participate on LF will be able to do so; at least, not at 
anything remotely approaching maximum radiated power.

Again, let me emphasize:  I am NOT advocating big-antennas-or-nothing.  I'm 
happy for anyone who wants to try radiating from a Tesla coil in the garden 
to do so.  I'm only saying that understanding the reasons behind professional 
practice will let us have more realistic expectations about what we should 
expect from the resources available to us.

73,
John KD4IDY