03-11-2017, 06:49 AM
As people have noticed from previous posts I have a very restricted area for antennas and a height limit of 10m.
My "Western HF10" dipole (G5RV jr with loading coils) is about all I can fit wire-wise and the current results are not good.
I have decided to use a rotating dipole for the higher bands but need a vertical for 30, 40, 80m (and 160m would be a real bonus).
So what are the options as I see them?
1. Turn the mast that is currently holding up the dipole into a non-resonate "mono-pole" over radials and maybe an auto-tuner at the base. I could add a horizontal wire to give extra length. Low cost option. Would also give me a vertical option on the higher bands. There are some commercially-produced ones, but how good is this type of antenna on the low bands?
2. A trapped vertical such as the Rippletech TZ-V-3L ( a bit over the height limit but who is going to notice) over radials. More expensive that option one but is the extra cost worthwhile for an antenna dedicated to these bands?
3. Comet CHA250 vertical. Would also give me a vertical option on the higher bands. Does not need radials. Expensive and the reviews are very mixed especially on its low band efficiency.
What say ye?
73
Wayne VK4WDM
My "Western HF10" dipole (G5RV jr with loading coils) is about all I can fit wire-wise and the current results are not good.
I have decided to use a rotating dipole for the higher bands but need a vertical for 30, 40, 80m (and 160m would be a real bonus).
So what are the options as I see them?
1. Turn the mast that is currently holding up the dipole into a non-resonate "mono-pole" over radials and maybe an auto-tuner at the base. I could add a horizontal wire to give extra length. Low cost option. Would also give me a vertical option on the higher bands. There are some commercially-produced ones, but how good is this type of antenna on the low bands?
2. A trapped vertical such as the Rippletech TZ-V-3L ( a bit over the height limit but who is going to notice) over radials. More expensive that option one but is the extra cost worthwhile for an antenna dedicated to these bands?
3. Comet CHA250 vertical. Would also give me a vertical option on the higher bands. Does not need radials. Expensive and the reviews are very mixed especially on its low band efficiency.
What say ye?
73
Wayne VK4WDM