At 09:21 AM 3/20/01 EST, Dinsterdog@aol.com wrote:
>Interesting to see how others are using their arrays. I never thought of
>putting up an array for just a receive system, but what a great idea-
>
>I have a lot of respect for hams who put in the time to put up yagi's, but
>the 4SQR is a great way to compete with single element antennas, keep your
>buget in line, and keep your maintenance time down to a minimum. I can see
>why some are using them on the higher bands for receive, but don't give on
>them for tx-
>
>There was a nice write up on Eham by Bill Fisher, W4AN, on his 20 meter
>"stealth" 4SQR experience using a Comtek system- seemed he was very pleased
>with the performance and gave a very objective report on it's performance-
>Its the only higher freq. 4SQR report I've read- But certainly seems
positive
>experiences like these would lend more credence to using 4SQRs on higher
>bands for both tx and rx-
I agree that use of 4-squares for RX antennas (or even more complex arrays,
for that matter, like W8JI's) is a sweet idea. Anything vertical also
simplifies the interstation interference problem in a multi or SO2R
situation. For receiving, where gain is minor and pattern is everything,
they're fine. But I don't believe a 4-square transmit antenna on the high
bands is a cost-effective way to compete with a rotary dipole, much less a
2-element yagi.
Roy Lewallen's 40m 4-square model in EZNEC (Roy knows a little about
feeding these things) shows 5.32 dBi gain and 24.46 dB F/B (in the major
rearward lobe) over average ground, or 7.35 dBi over very good ground (at
23-25 degree takeoff). A simple dipole at about .6 wavelength above
average ground shows a gain of 8.7 dBi at 25 degrees takeoff. In terms of
cost and complexity, there is no comparison.
73, Pete N4ZR
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