03-11-2017, 07:57 AM
(03-11-2017, 07:40 AM)VK3ALB Wrote: Hi Wayne,
The G5RV was not meant to be an all band antenna and your experience shows that. That it's a Jr probably exacerbates the situation. At 10m you are limited for 80m and of course 160 for full sized antennas.
The WIA foundation manual describes a OCF dipole that will give reasonable performance on a number of bands. Don't forget height and radiation angle are related. Consider full sized wire loops and wire antennas supported by the ubiquitous squid pole. VK7JJ is a good place to start. A full length 40m 1/4 wave vertical is not unreasonable and a 30m vertical is definitely in scope. Drew Diamond describes a top loaded 160m vertical that is under 10m high. Ground radials for verticals are very important - investigate the option of buried versus elevated radials.
I don't understand how some commercial verticals claim good performance without a ground system. What science do they know that we don't? In my area we have one bloke who bought a Gap Titan antenna whilst the rest of us use wire antennas. He never hears anything on 40m while we can generally hear each other. That's a lot of money for no result.
I'd much rather spend a lot less money one or two antennas that work really well on single bands than hundreds of dollars on something that may perform the same or worse.
Antenna modelling is now within reach for all of us. Antennas can be easily evaluated right at your desk before before you start building.
A good antenna on 40m will keep you busy for a month of Sundays with digi modes even at this part of the solar cycle.
Now, if I remember correctly, you were the bloke that was addicted to wire antennas???
Addition:
I forgot to add that VK2OMD, VK5ZD and G8JNJ have written about the CHA-250. Looking at the specs of the TZ-V-4 I can't see why you'd spend that much money on something that you could probably replicate at home.
Hi Lou
"Now, if I remember correctly, you were the bloke that was addicted to wire antennas???"
Quite right, but a move to this QTH with a tiny back yard, plus a plea from the XYL "don't put wires everywhere this time" has cured the addiction!
I have used a squid pole vertical here but one of the sudden storms we are prone to wrecked in about 30 secs. I still have one for portable use.
Wayne