W2IK | 
05 10th, 2013| 
Field Day Is Just Around The Corner – Plan Now ! by W2IK
Field Day is coming, so here are a few thoughts as you plan your group’s operation (or if you just wish to do a Field Day operation on your own in your back yard or at a park.)
A FEW TIPS FOR ANY FIELD DAY OPERATION – I’ve posted some of this before but I think they should be repeated. (I’ve updated them a bit for 2013)
1. When setting up antennas within close proximity to each other: If you are using wire antennas such as dipoles, and they run parallel to each other there will be interference on your HF operating bands in the form of hash so arrange them at right angles to each other and at slightly different heights. If you use wire antennas such as dipoles, try to stay away from trap dipoles and use full length antennas instead. You may also wish to run your dipoles in different configurations such as have one as an “inverted V” and another as a sloper, etc. An antenna cut to the exact band you are using will decrease interference to and from other bands. Do not use compromise, trap or “all band” antennas. (The only efficient “all band antennas” are a log periodic and a “fan dipole” NOT a “folded dipole” or others that claim they use “balancing resistors” as this only wastes rf energy in the form of heat- some, depending on frequency will squander as much as 75% of your power.) With others you may make a few contacts, but they are junk and will cause harmonic radiation. Dedicated operating needs the right antenna. Wasted energy on trap antennas (some of your RF energy is used up in the form of heat) and that equals an inefficient radiator, especially as you go lower in frequency. On HF, if you can, do not use vertical antennas as they receive too much man-made noise from sources such as generators, etc. If you can only have one vertical mast instead of three to make a dipole, make your antenna a sloper instead. I use slopers when I do county activations as they are easy to erect and cost very little.
