Concentrating on one or two bands?

With limited space for antennas, it seems sensible to concentrate efforts on just a couple of bands only. As my favorite band is 10m, I am tempted to erect a more efficient antenna for this band and maybe put up the 6m V2000 only during the Es season. My problems are (a) a lack of mobility because of my stroke and (b) choice of compact, efficient antennas. At present I can cover 40, 20, 10, 6, 2 and 70cms, plus 630m rather inefficiently with my earth electrode antenna. Perhaps, whilst my health is not too good, I am better sticking with what I’ve got? I know that on 10m my antenna could be better but the Par end-fed covers 3 bands (10, 20 and 40m) and my 2W QRP has reached VK on WSPR on all these bands and doesn’t do a bad job.The Par is is almost impossible to see in the air.

Roger Lapthorn, G3XBM, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cambridge, England.

2 Responses to “Concentrating on one or two bands?”

  • Richard KWøU:

    I’ve stuck with 20 & 15, due to an attic dipole, so understand what you mean. On the other hand, it sounds like you’ve already got quite a spread with which to work–I’d stay on whatever is most active that day, but maybe peek around to see if another one is getting hot.

  • Jason ke7tdy:

    Well you want to consider a few things too, 1. what is your 2nd favorite band [btw, 10 is also my favorite band!] 2. what operating time’s do you prefer [day/nite, summer/winter etc] and 3. what operating goals do you have? [Emergency / Traffic / DXing / Contesting / Digital / QRP (as you mentioned) etc]

    I’d think on those 3 points, to help decide what configuration to use, what antenna and such … then I’d also see if a neighbour or a fellow ham may be willing to help erect the antenna configuration you choose! Maybe ask a local ham club?

    Good luck, and who knows, maybe hear ya on 10 one day!
    73 from the USA
    ke7tdy

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