The Annual Mobile Shootout
NOTE: This event has been scheduled for the Eyeball 2010 with Lon Martin, K0WJ as shootout Master.
Our thanks and gratitude to Tom Bates, AA1NZ, Shootout Master Extraordinaire. Tom is the creator of this event that so many have enjoyed, and he was the driving force behind it for Eyeballs 2002 - 2009.
Mobile's—this one's for you! Each year at the Annual Eyeball we have an activity we call the 3905 Century Club Mobile Shootout. Who are the big guns on our nets? Better still who is the Top Gun? We all have our opinions, but the Shootout actually measures each mobile's signal strength.
Who has the most powerful signal down range is controlled by a number of things that go to make up the total "Mobile System." The "Mobile System" includes the antenna itself, the vehicle it's mounted on, the mounting location on the vehicle, the quality of grounding, etc. The Mobile Shootout provides a measurement of all these factors combined in the form of a signal strength measured down range.
Each mobile operator will drive his/her vehicle to a designated test range where, after the operator is satisfied that the antenna is properly tuned, officials will attach the mobile antenna to the official contest RF test source—one that will put out a consistent 10 watts of RF (as measured by an inline Bird Wattmeter) on the specific net frequency chosen for the shootout. At the receive site, located up to several wavelengths away, as space allows, each mobile's signal strength will be recorded. When all participants' signals have been measured, a winner will be declared and prizes will be given out.
Remember, unless special categories are announced, the Mobile Shootout is for street-legal mobile setups, so the highest point of the antenna must be no higher above ground than what is legally allowed on public roads and highways—no more than 13.5 feet high at the highest point and no more than 8 feet wide, including any capacity hat. If you can build a roadworthy, 8-foot diameter capacity hat, you can enter it. Besides we'd all like to see that one. We will measure! The antenna system as a whole must be roadworthy. You must be able to drive in and out with the antenna installed and must be able to operate at highway speeds.
In addition, all objections and concerns must be verbalized during the Shootout and disputes will be settled by a majority decision of the people at the Shootout site with Lon, K0WJ, acting as the moderator. Objections and concerns voiced after the fact will have no value and will be given no more consideration than QRM during a net. The purpose of the Mobile Shootout is to gain insight into what it takes to improve our mobile signals, and to have fun.
Potential entrants may wish to look over the Mobile Operators' Web Site. Alan Applegate, K0BG, is renowned for his insight and knowledge of mobile installations. If you follow his suggestions, you'll have a much better chance of competing.
The frequency for the 2010 Mobile Shootout will be 7.178 MHz.
So get those mobile setups tuned up between now and the Eyeball and join in the fun. It'll be a great time!
Prior Mobile Shootout Results
1st Annual Mobile Shootout - 2002 - Hamburg, NJ2nd Annual Mobile Shootout - 2003 - Kansas City, MO
3rd Annual Mobile Shootout - 2004 - Wilsonville, OR (No Info Available)
4th Annual Mobile Shootout - 2005 - Red Top Mountain, GA
5th Annual Mobile Shootout - 2006 - Le Sueur, MN (No Info Available)
6th Annual Mobile Shootout - 2007 - Guthrie, OK
7th Annual Mobile Shootout - 2008 - Hanover, PA
8th Annual Mobile Shootout - 2009 - Vista, CA
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