On Tue, 10 Sep 1996, Gerard Jendraszkiewicz wrote:
> I am looking for data on lengths of beverage antennas. I wonder what is
> a good length to use ?? I can run between 500 and 1000+ ft. in almost
> any direction.
I'd suggest 880 feet as an excellent length. The directivity of a
Beverage (but not its efficiency) is best when it is low to the ground.
Front-to-back ratio is significantly improved if both ends of the Beverage
are sloped, and it's best to isolate the shield of the coaxial feedline
from the feedpoint of the Beverage with ferrite beads, I place
my Beverages 8 ft high to avoid entangling wildlife! Be sure u keep the
Beverages away from transmitting antennas, towers and power lines.
Beverages can be placed within 15 feet of one-another with no significant
interaction, and they can cross over one-another will little interaction
if the crossing angle is close to 90 degrees.
> Is it better to use bare or insulated wire, any particular guage,
> copperweld, stranded ?? The wire will be supported every 75-100' at
> about 6-7' above ground.
Bare or insulated wire works well, Insulated wire is less susceptible to
precipitation static. Select wire size and construction based on
mechanical, not electrical, considerations.
> My next question is what would be a good transmitting antenna ? Top
> loaded vertical, with/without elevated radials ?? I am looking toward a
> good 160 season from my new QTH.
Verticals are preferred, the more vertical wire (or tower) the better.
I've had excellent success with elevated radials (as few as two) although
many top band operators insist that the radials need to be laid on the
ground or buried to work optimally. The 35 JAs I worked from the East
Coast last season (most answered CQs on two incredible mornings) didn't
seem to object to my elevated radials.
73
Frank
W3LPL
donovanf@sgate.com
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