[aprssig] APRS buoy - transmit power and antenna?

[Joseph M. Durnal]

I don't really know much about the subject either.  For an antenna I
would use a 5/8 wave ground plane, assuming we are talking about 2
meters.

73 de Joe NE3R

On 9/10/07, Robert Rochte <rochte at gmail.com> wrote:
> After having my last balloon payload traverse the entire length of Lake Erie
> intact, I'm now floating the idea of an APRS buoy...
>
> I have no experience with transmitting from the water and I'm wondering if
> there are any basic rules of thumb.  Ron, VE2JOR, has described a couple of
> grounding techniques used in a boat to me (a plate below the water and
> another involving a metal lining inside the hull) - I'm wondering what would
> be best for a buoy.
>
> Would a simple wire dipole work, or should I somehow use the lake as the
> ground plane (this would be over fresh water - the Great Lakes - if that
> makes a difference)?  Is there a "best" height to have the antenna above the
> surface ( e.g., a particular fraction of a wavelength)?
>
> Also, what kind of power output will I likely need to reliably reach
> terrestrial APRS stations?  Any chance that a bare Microtrak (300 mw) will
> make it??
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Robert
> KC8UCH
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