Expansion K0UO New Site #2 also Maximize DX with Stand-Alone Towers
- skylarkcolo
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Ham radio enthusiasts understand that the effectiveness of their antenna setup is crucial for successful long-distance communication.
For those committed to DX (distance) and Contest operations, having access to dedicated stand-alone towers provides a significant advantage. RSI Corp and K0UO/R offer a range of stand-alone towers up to 500 feet in height, specifically designed for DX and contest activities, as well as far-field antenna testing. K0UO is also developing a new larger site, number 2. This new site, along with these towers, are located in rural ranching areas, free from other users or interference, making them perfect for ham radio enthusiasts aiming to maximize their communication potential.
Why Stand-Alone Towers Matter for DX Operations
When it comes to ham radio, antenna height and location are critical. Stand-alone towers that reach up to 500 feet provide significant elevation above the surrounding terrain. This height allows antennas to operate at low takeoff angles, which is essential for long-distance signal propagation. Signals sent at low angles travel farther by bouncing off the ionosphere, enabling communication with distant stations across continents.
The rural ranching locations of these towers mean there is minimal Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). Urban areas often have noise from electronics, power lines, and other sources that degrade signal quality. These towers are isolated, with no other antennas mounted on them, ensuring a clean environment for clear, strong signals.
Features of RSI Corp and K0UO/R Stand-Alone Towers
Exclusive Use: No other users share these towers, so you have full control over antenna placement and orientation.
Height: Towers up to 500 feet tall provide excellent elevation for HF antennas.
Fiber Optic Connectivity: Each tower is served by fiber optics, supporting fast and reliable data transmission for remote control or digital modes.
Rural Location: Positioned in quiet, rural ranching areas, these towers avoid urban noise and interference.
Versatile Orientation: Antennas can be oriented in various directions to maximize signal strength and reception quality.
Far Field: Expanded testing area site.
How Tower Height Enhances Antenna Performance
Elevation plays a key role in antenna effectiveness. Here’s why:
Low Takeoff Angles: Signals launched at low angles travel farther by reflecting off the ionosphere, ideal for DX contacts.
Reduced Obstructions: Taller towers clear trees, buildings, and terrain features that can block or weaken signals.
Improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Being above local noise sources improves reception clarity.
Better Antenna Patterns: Height allows antennas to achieve their designed radiation patterns without distortion from nearby objects.
For example, a 500-foot tower can elevate a Yagi antenna well above surrounding hills, enabling it to reach stations thousands of miles away with minimal signal loss.
Located at a distance of up to 20 miles from the main 4KS airport and K0UO/R site on the east side of the Kansas Red Gyp Hill ranching area, these towers are part of an extensive test range that facilitates a variety of radio frequency experiments and competitions. All can be connected with a private microwave internet point-to-point backbone network or fiber.
The towers are registered with the FCC Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) system. Several notable structures are listed, including the following:
#1,216,715 at a height of 59.5 meters on site, with HF LPDA & large HRS Curtains
#1,252,737 reaching 70.2 meters,
#1,252,738 towering at 89.6 meters,
#1,260,299 standing at 42.6 meters,
#1,314,639 at 88.4 meters,
#1,216,786 reaching a height of 97.5 meters, HF antennas and many spare 7/8in hadline coax for antennas as needed, this tower is on a 300ft hill 800ft AGL
#1,252,503 at 77.7 meters,
#1,235,485 at an impressive height of 149.4 meters dedicated to FM broadcasting, It has had many ham antennas and feed line are in place
and finally, ASR# 1,252,009 standing at 85.30 meters.
Practical Uses for Stand-Alone Towers
These towers are perfect for:
DX Contests: Compete with the best by using high-gain antennas on tall towers to reach distant stations quickly.
Far-Field Antenna Testing: Test antenna designs in a clean environment without interference from other antennas.
Group Operations: Clubs or groups can share tower access for coordinated contesting or experimentation.
Remote Operation: Fiber optic connections allow remote control of radios and antennas, enabling operation from anywhere.
Setting Up Your Antenna on a Stand-Alone Tower
To get the most from these towers, consider the following:
Choose the Right Antenna: High-gain directional antennas like Yagis or phased arrays work well for DX.
Optimize Orientation: Point antennas toward target regions or rotate them as needed for contests.
Use Quality Feedlines: Low-loss coax or balanced lines preserve signal strength.
Implement Grounding and Lightning Protection: Tall towers are vulnerable to lightning; proper grounding protects equipment.
Plan for Maintenance Access: Ensure safe climbing or use of hoists for antenna installation and upkeep.
K0UO Now Adding Antenna Site Number 2
K0UO now has a second Antenna Site, (which is significantly larger that the primary site 1), and situated on a tall hilltop area, designed for Commercial, DoD, and ham radio purposes, standing hundreds of feet above the nearby ranch land, where there is no RFI noise.
A major HF array construction project is currently in progress, aiming to develop an even larger second site on family ranch land. This ambitious project is strategically located on a very high hilltop plateau in the Red Gyp Hill, situated a few miles to the west of the main K0UO site. The choice of this elevated location is crucial, as it not only offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area but also provides a unique chance to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing.
In terms of design and construction, the project is being executed with great attention to detail and sustainability in mind. The design incorporates eco-friendly materials and practices, ensuring that the structures harmonize with the natural environment rather than disrupt it. The use of renewable energy sources and the natural gas, is also being considered to minimize the carbon footprint of the new location.
The planning phase has involved extensive engineering to meet DoD and other commercial specifications, we are tasked with creating a layout that maximizes the advantages of the hilltop setting.
The antennas performed excellently with the relay box situated at ground level, offering a glimpse inside the relay box. The wires appear to be scattered in all directions. One might suspect an impedance issue, but it was not evident. The late Roy Callison of Bisbee, AZ, ham call W7YRV/SK also had nine X Rhombics arrays, which he developed, he had one for every 20 degrees. That was a truly remarkable accomplishment for an amateur station. this site is building on that. K0UO using much longer elements while also using a re-enterant system for 90% efficiency.
1. The Core Architecture: Cross-Phased Geometry
A standard planar rhombic consists of two V-shaped long-wire antennas connected to form a flat diamond. The X-Rhombic alters this by crossing or splitting the elements into an X-configuration at the side apices, forming intersecting spatial loops. This design causes RF current to undergo spatial phase adjustments, enhancing performance.
2. Eliminating the "Height-to-Wavelength" Trap
Standard horizontal rhombics have a vertical takeoff angle tied to their height above ground. The X-Rhombic employs vertical tapering, allowing different vertical planes and sloping angles. This reduces sensitivity to height constraints, providing stable low takeoff angles across various frequencies without adjusting mast height.
3. Radical Sidelobe Damping
Parasitic sidelobes waste power and create vulnerabilities. Ayzenberg's X-configuration causes sidelobes to be 180° out of phase, resulting in destructive phase cancellation for off-axis radiation. This enhances the main forward beam's purity and improves directional ratios.
4. Maximizing Tower Efficiency (The Economy of Scale)
Building new towers was costly for the Soviets. The X-Rhombic's interlacing and stacking allowed use of existing arrays' footprints. By feeding the X-array in parallel, a single setup could function as multiple antennas, maintaining high-gain links to distant targets efficiently.
"Don't underestimate the performance of the Rhombic unless you've personally built and used one. Due to their large size, covering many acres, you realize their true advantage of having thousands of feet of wire in the air. This setup provides receive signal diversity by capturing signals at varying times and angles, significantly reducing fading QSB, and transmitting RF in the same manner. Traveling wave antennas are very unique and unlike many other antennas commonly used."
This X-Rhombic is many wavelengths long at 20 m, so the main lobe becomes narrow.
The takeoff angle drops to ~5–6°, which is excellent for very long-haul DX.
The front-to-back ratio improves because the termination if used absorbs more of the rearward energy at higher frequencies. (using re-entry system for even higher gain),
Pattern Characteristics on 20 m
Very narrow beam — only 15~10° wide, so pointing accuracy matters,. with this system it is instantly switched between fixed azimuths every 20 D, without mechanical rotation.
Extremely low TOA — ideal for intercontinental paths, ~5–6°.
High gain — ~18–20 dB means you’re effectively running the equivalent of hundreds of kilowatts ERP with a legal-limit transmitter.
Furthermore, the project is not just about expanding physical structures; it also represents a deeper commitment to preserving the Rhombic’s heritage and attributes. By establishing this second antenna location, the aims to create a legacy that can be enjoyed by future ham generations, offering them a place to connect with the world by radio, engage learning and build lasting memories.
As construction progresses, there is a palpable sense of excitement within the family and the RSI Corp alone with the local ranchers. This new hilltop location is poised to become a vibrant hub of HF Contest and DX activity, where the beauty of the natural surroundings can be fully appreciated and cherished at the some time.
Benefits of Rural, Isolated Tower Locations
The rural ranching setting offers several advantages:
Minimal RFI: Far from urban noise sources, signals are clearer.
No Antenna Crowding: No other users on the towers means no interference or competition for space.
No Zoning or HOAs
Stable Environment: Open land reduces multipath reflections and signal distortion.
Privacy and Security: Remote locations limit unauthorized access.
Unlimited: Expansion opportunities
Towers: Height not limited by near by airports
Fiber: The site still has access to the new Rural Broadband high speed internet
These factors combine to create an ideal environment for serious ham radio operations.
Real-World Example: Contest Success with Stand-Alone Towers
A ham radio club used one of these 500-foot towers with a high-gain Yagi antenna during a major DX contest. The elevated antenna and clean environment allowed them to reach stations across multiple continents with strong, clear signals. Their score improved dramatically compared to previous contests where they used lower, shared towers in suburban areas.
Final Thoughts on Using Stand-Alone Towers for DX
Access to dedicated, tall stand-alone towers and K0UO site #2 in quiet rural settings offers ham radio enthusiasts a powerful tool for maximizing DX operations. The combination of height, isolation, and fiber optic connectivity creates an environment where antennas perform at their best. Whether you are a contest operator, antenna experimenter, or serious DXer, these towers provide the space and conditions needed to reach distant stations with clarity and reliability.
If you want to elevate your ham radio experience, consider how these stand-alone towers could fit into your plans. Their unique advantages can open new possibilities for communication and experimentation.
Ready to take your DX operations to the next level? Explore the options for stand-alone towers, along with K0UO/R site number 1 & 2, and see how they can transform your ham radio setup.
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