The NA<>EU S2S activity day was already much fun. Now it looks like we will have more 10m fun in 2024 with this challenge raising awareness and activity on 10m! A Great Idea!
@MM0FMF What about a separate S2S evaluation where only S2S QSO’s are counted? Would be just one more column in your database derived calculations…
Heinz
That’s a great idea! I’ve been having so much fun on the bottom end of 10 metres lately that I am going to add an antenna just for that purpose. I was thinking of a delta loop, but I might try a sloping dipole.
This challenge is a tweak to the 10m&6m challenge we ran some years ago. We have 99% of the software we need for this already, just tweaks to dates and descriptions in the software and we’re ready. That was a reason to keep this challenge the same, very little overhead for Andrew. We can add something for S2S QSOs later on if programming time is available. As long as the QSOs are logged then we can always add things later. So maybe is the answer.
I looked at a sloper but it has two disadvantages. Firstly it becomes directional and secondly it is more sensitive to higher angle signals. Both of these can be advantages for some purposes, but for DX purposes I am thinking of trying a vertical dipole using my spare fishing pole.
Here’s the info on the one I made for activator use. Andrew @VK1DA thinks my wires are a little long and he’s probably right. But mine covers 28.0 to 28.6 with an OK SWR. YMMV
I’ve made 6m and 10m versions to your design. I subsequently modified the 6m one with a removable link in the bottom wire using another of your ideas - bullet connectors. With the link removed it tunes to the SSB section of the band and when added it works in the CW/digital region.
I used the 10m one on the recent TA S2S event and was happy with the results. I haven’t added a link to it yet as I used my IC-7300 for the event and the internal ATU coped but I need to look at again and have a removable section, a Trans-Atlantic QSO on FM would be interesting. 
It was going to be my New Year’s resolution, 10m SOTA all year long. Count me in!
Now to the bench to work on a new antenna, I’m leaning towards a DK7ZB Wireman J-Pole, made one for 6m with excelent results.
See you on 10!
Back in September I was very surprised to hear 10m FM from the US but I think it was from a repeater in the US. My dipole was ok for receive but is cut for 28.400 so the swr was too high to transmit back and I didn’t know the access details for the repeater. Repeater qso’s wouldn’t be valid for sota but fun all the same if it worked.
Andy
MM7MOX
No, but if you can get into the repeater you can ask folks to try and work you simplex, or on SSB.
People should not forget that there is a lot of spectrum available on 10m which means there is room for both AM and FM never mind the usual CW/SSB and FT4/8 etc. By all means, as Pete says, call in to the repeaters and ask to see if the repeater uses can work you simplex. Which reminds me there’s a 27/81 CB that was converted to 10m in the loft that transmits fine but has no receive… IIRC you can’t unsquelch it.
Coaxial dipole antenna for 10m, aka vertical flowerpot antenna. This antenna has served me well and it offers omnidirectional radiation, ideal for an elevated operating position.
A single length of 50 ohm coax and importantly no mechanical joints or potential points of failure.
Good luck to those who participate in the 10m challenge.
Andrew VK1AD
Some of us might be willing to carry and assemble a Moxon to a summit - here are some dimensions: Moxon Rectangles.
73, Etienne-K7ATN
Hi Andy, could you and the MT consider having “checkpoint” monthly results as well, so we can see how we are doing and which parts of the world do better in which months of the year.
I presume the main total will be the running total up through the 12 months but I think it would be useful to be able to look and see what the SOTA 10m activity was like in e.g. March compared to August.
73 Ed.
P.S. already working on an electronically direction-switched 2-element wire beam for 20 & 10m.
Great Idea Andy.
Will get a 10m flower pot under way.
Regards
Ian vk5cz …
Wow, maybe I ought to build something better than a dipole for 10m!
This should be fun!
73,
Rex KE6MT
Ah, right-on! I’ve started planning a 10/6m portable hexbeam and probably will make a second for 10/12/15m. We’ll see if I can get it together for the ARRL contest, but getting more use out of it for SOTA will be great fun! (and 10m EFHW, a dipole, rebuild the 1/4l vertical with elevated radials… so many options!)
I think the challenge sounds great and should be fun.
While I am sure many of us will bring our own approach/goal toward this challenge it would be wonderful to recognize/encourage activators to do more (much more?) than a smash and grab activation.
Having done 350+ activations, I do definitely know circumstances vary on and around a peak dictating a short 4 Q activation but in general for chasers, having activators on the peak longer presumably helps the challenge be more successful.
I’m not sure what my personal goal will be. Maybe minimum 10 Qs and a stretch of chasers in 10 different States and/or DXCC entities.
Kudos for organizing the event!!
Paul
