Author: KC2NJ

  • WEARC Members Complete HF Antenna Testing at Fairfield Red Cross

    WEARC Members Complete HF Antenna Testing at Fairfield Red Cross

    Amid Chilly Skies, WEARC Brings Club Station Back to Life

    Fairfield, NJ — On a crisp, sunny morning in late November, four members of the West Essex Amateur Radio Club (WEARC) gathered at the American Red Cross building in Fairfield, New Jersey, with one mission: to restore their club station, W2EF, to full operational status. Armed with tools, determination, and decades of combined experience, the team tackled a series of challenges that culminated in a triumphant return to the airwaves.

    Bill, Jerry, Mike, and Hector convened at 10 a.m. under cold but clear skies, prepared for a day of repairs and testing. The first hurdle involved a malfunctioning antenna that required precision soldering—a task made more difficult by the biting chill. The team procured a new 260-watt soldering gun, which proved to be a crucial investment. Despite the challenging conditions, the tool performed exceptionally well, enabling the team to carry out the repair with ease.

    Attention then turned to the coaxial feedline, the vital conduit that transmits signals between the radio and the antenna. Hector and Mike worked methodically, troubleshooting the lines and ultimately replacing the problematic Coax #7 with Coax #9. Using their individual NanoVNAs—compact and powerful vector network analyzers—they conducted detailed plots of the antenna, with Hector stationed on the roof and Mike in the radio room. The two coordinated their efforts via simplex communication, demonstrating the synergy that has become a hallmark of the club’s projects.

    With the feedline issue resolved, the team connected the antenna to their flagship transceiver, the Icom IC-756PROII. The results were immediate and gratifying: clear, robust signals on the 10-meter band. Operating in SSB (single sideband) and FT8 (a digital communication mode), they logged several successful contacts, marking W2EF’s official return to the airwaves.

    A notable observation came from Jerry, who pointed out that the antenna, a T2FD (tilted terminated folded dipole), displayed SWR and impedance characteristics that suggest it could connect directly to the Icom transceiver without the need for an external tuner. While the team opted to use a tuner for the day’s tests, this insight opens the door for further experimentation during their next visit.

    By the end of the day, the team had not only restored the station but also laid the groundwork for future improvements. The revived W2EF station is now ready to serve as a hub for club activities, emergency communications, and ongoing exploration of the amateur radio spectrum.

    “Our goal is always to learn, adapt, and grow,” said Mike, summarizing the day’s achievements. “Today wasn’t just about fixing equipment—it was about teamwork, innovation, and the spirit of amateur radio.”

    As the clock neared 1 p.m., the team wrapped up their work, packed up their gear, and reflected on the morning’s accomplishments. The antenna repair and coaxial replacement marked a significant step forward, while the successful on-air operation confirmed the station’s readiness for future activities. With W2EF back on the air and a clear plan for follow-up testing, the members departed confident that their efforts had ensured the club station remains a reliable asset for amateur radio enthusiasts and community communication needs.

     

     

    Jerry WB2GZL, Mike KC2NJ

    Jerry & Mike review the performance of the new T2FD antenna with the Icom IC-756PROII



    Vector Network Analyzer

    NanoVNA plot of 3 – 28 MHz taken by Hector after repair of the antenna and feedline.  Plot shows a 1.8:1 SWR on 28 MHz.



    W2EF on the air!

    W2EF propagation report from PSKReporter website.  10 meter reception reports look good after a 5 minute test run by Hector, KD2WWU.

  • WEARC Members Install HF Antenna at Fairfield Red Cross

    WEARC Members Install HF Antenna at Fairfield Red Cross

    FAIRFIELD, N.J. — November 16, 2024

    Beneath a brilliant November sun at the American Red Cross facility in Fairfield, New Jersey, members of the West Essex Amateur Radio Club (WEARC) gathered in the early afternoon to install a new high-frequency (HF) antenna—a critical tool that promises to enhance communication capabilities at the facility, particularly during emergencies.

    The installation team consisted of a small but enthusiastic group of WEARC volunteers, who worked with precision and camaraderie against the backdrop of an unseasonably warm day. “It’s not often we get this kind of weather in November,” one member remarked. “It’s a perfect day to be up on a roof with an antenna project.”

    The Antenna: A Versatile Wire-Based Solution

    The chosen antenna, constructed by Jerry WB2GZL, is based on a design published in 73 Magazine from May 1984 called the Tilted Terminated Folded Dipole (T2FD).  It is similar in design to a terminated wide-band folded dipole and is renowned for its versatility and wide frequency coverage. Unlike traditional resonant antennas, the T2FD is a non-resonant antenna, which means it requires the use of an antenna tuner to match impedance and achieve efficient operation. This design allows for multiband operation without significant changes to the antenna itself, making it an appropriate choice for emergency communications where flexibility is paramount

    The T2FD’s design employs a folded dipole configuration, consisting of two parallel conductors joined at each end to create a continuous loop. A distinctive feature of the T2FD is the inclusion of a non-inductive terminating resistor, typically in the 500 Ohm range when the antenna is fed with 450 Ohm ladder line, which absorbs non-radiated energy and prevents signal reflections. This resistor, combined with the broad impedance bandwidth of the folded structure, ensures the antenna can perform sufficiently over a wide range of frequencies.

    Constructed with weather-resistant materials, the T2FD installed at Fairfield spans a significant length, maximizing coverage and signal strength. The antenna’s use of a 450-ohm ladder line feed, paired with a roof-mounted balun and 50-ohm coaxial cable run into the radio shack, provides a low-loss, efficient transition from antenna to radio equipment.

    The evolution of the T2FD antenna, a fascinating innovation in the world of radio communications, has been meticulously chronicled in amateur radio literature over the decades. Its early conceptualization was explored in a June 1949 issue of QST, where its unique attributes and potential applications were first presented to the amateur radio community. This initial discussion prompted subsequent analyses, with follow-up articles appearing in the November 1951 and February 1953 issues of CQ Magazine. Decades later, the enduring relevance of the T2FD was reaffirmed in the pages of 73 Magazine in May 1984, offering a contemporary perspective on its utility and design. These writings collectively highlight the enduring curiosity and ingenuity that have long defined the amateur radio tradition.

    Comparing the T2FD and the Traditional Folded Dipole

    While the T2FD shares structural similarities with the traditional folded dipole, their operational principles and use cases differ significantly.

    Resonance vs. Non-Resonance
    – The traditional folded dipole is a resonant antenna, designed to operate efficiently on specific frequencies without the need for an external tuner. Resonance is achieved by carefully matching the antenna’s physical length to the wavelength of the target frequency, typically resulting in low standing wave ratio (SWR) at the resonant point.
    – The T2FD in contrast, is non-resonant. Its design, featuring a terminating resistor, broadens the operating frequency range but sacrifices resonance. An antenna tuner is required to match the antenna’s impedance to the transceiver’s output, enabling efficient energy transfer.

    Bandwidth
    – The traditional folded dipole provides excellent performance on its resonant frequency and, to a lesser extent, harmonics. However, its usable bandwidth is narrow, often limiting its versatility.
    – The T2FD offers significantly broader bandwidth, supporting efficient operation across multiple HF bands. This makes it highly advantageous for applications where rapid frequency changes are necessary.

    Efficiency
    – The folded dipole is highly efficient within its design frequency range, as nearly all the transmitted energy is radiated.
    – The T2FD sacrifices some efficiency due to the energy absorbed by the terminating resistor. This trade-off is offset by its flexibility in multiband operation, particularly in emergency or general-purpose communication setups.

    Complexity
    – The traditional folded dipole is simpler to install and does not require additional components like a tuner or terminating resistor.
    – The T2FD, while more complex, is a robust solution for scenarios requiring adaptability, as seen in the Fairfield installation.

    Installation Details: From Roof to Shack

    The T2FD antenna is fed with 450-ohm ladder line, known for its minimal signal loss during transmission and reception. The ladder line terminates at a balun (balanced-to-unbalanced transformer) mounted on the roof, matching the impedance to a 50-ohm coaxial cable, which then runs down to the radio room on the first floor. This configuration ensures compatibility with the Red Cross’s vertical coaxial riser while maintaining efficiency.

    Next Steps: Testing and Integration

    The antenna, though installed, has not yet been tested. Testing is scheduled for a future weekend, when WEARC members will evaluate its performance across multiple HF bands. These tests will involve verifying the antenna’s impedance matching, confirming signal radiation patterns, and ensuring compatibility with the Red Cross’s communication protocols. The use of an external antenna tuner will also be validated during these trials.

    Once testing is complete, the antenna will be fully integrated into the Red Cross’s emergency communication system, standing ready to support disaster relief efforts with reliable, global communication. As the new antenna broadcasts its signals across the airwaves, it will carry a message of collaboration, adaptability, and community resilience.



  • Field Day – NE2S remote input

    Field Day – NE2S remote input

    While on-site at WEARC Field Day 2024, please take advantage of the temporary remote input for the NE2S repeater in Livingston, NJ which will be available throughout Field Day weekend.  Using the remote input frequency will allow your signal to be full quieting into the repeater while using a HT on low power from our Field Day site.  We will use this repeater to create awareness of our Field Day location and offer talk-in directions and site availability details (hours of operation) upon request.

    Note: there is a small timing delay as a result of VoIP buffers for EchoLink and the end-to-end IP network path; pausing 1/2 second to begin your transmission after hearing the repeater courtesy tone is sufficient to compensate for this delay.

    Standard Repeater Output: 146.595; Standard Repeater Input: 147.595 (+1.00 MHz), 127.3 Hz PL

    Remote Input: 147.445 (+0.85 MHz), 127.3 Hz PL.  Please set your HT to its lowest TX power setting.

  • Repeater Operational Tips

    Repeater Operational Tips

    The question of how a repeater controller works has come up several times in the past few months. Below are some relevant facts about the operation of a familiar repeater controller. The post that follows will focus on high impact items for repeater users, including specific PL and timing details about our local VHF FM repeater, NE2S, on 146.595 MHz.

    PL (Private Line) / CTCSS
    Continuous sub-audible tone signaling, required to access the repeater. Input PLs help keep unwanted noise and unexpected users from activating the repeater. While an input PL may be passed through the repeater, there is no PL tone generated on the output of NE2S by the repeater, so please keep your receive squelch set to carrier (do not filter on PL/CTCSS) for this repeater system. Setting your radio for carrier squelch will ensure you will be able to hear the Courtesy Tone and repeater ID.

    Courtesy Tone
    Following each user’s transmission, the repeater transmitter remains on for a programmable period with a Courtesy Tone provided to indicate that the other use may transmit. On NE2S, the value of this timer is set to 1.5 seconds. The delay to the tone allows other stations to break into the conversation. The period of 1.5 seconds starts when the user unkeys their microphone, and ends once the repeater Courtesy Tone sounds.

    Hang Time
    This is the period where the repeater transmitter remains on the air, after the user input signal goes away and the courtesy tone has sounded. Sometimes Hang Time is referred to as a repeater’s tail. NE2S is configured for 3 seconds of Hang Time after the Courtesy Tone.

    Timeout Timer
    The repeater’s timeout timer is set at 3 minutes on NE2S and its function is to limit transmission duration in case of a continuous carrier at the repeater’s receiver. The timer resets automatically when the input signal at the receiver has ceased for 1.5 seconds. Normally, a Courtesy Tone is generated at that time, however if pending repeater ID is waiting, the repeater ID message will be generated in place of the Courtesy Tone and will be followed by the tone. In either case, the Timeout Timer resets at the beginning of the courtesy tone or pending repeater ID. You do not need to wait for the repeater tail (Hang Time) to drop (end). In order to reset the Timeout Timer, simply wait to hear the Courtesy Tone and begin the next transmission.

    If users do not wait for the Courtesy Tone and the total transmission time between timer resets exceeds the NE2S timeout timer value of 3 minutes, the controller will announce “Repeater Time Out”, and the transmitter will be shut off. When the signal at the input stops for at least 1.5 seconds, the transmitter will be re-enabled and will announce “Repeater Ready” and normal operation will resume.

    Function Value
    Input PL 100.0 Hz
    Output PL None
    Courtesy Tone 1.5 seconds
    Hang Time 3 seconds
    Timeout Timer 3 Minutes
    Output Frequency 146.595 MHz
    Input Frequency 147.595 MHz

    73 & hope to hear you on the repeater soon!