If you may and you are willing to indulge me; if you were about to buy 5-acres with no neighbors or restrictions and wanted to erect a serious 160M antenna system, what would you build and why? We ca
Hello Dino, Take a look in the last three editions of the ON4UN Low Band book - in the Yagi chapter. I have described in detail the 3 element vertical Yagi for 160 meters that I am using. Gives over
Good question. I don't think you mentioned any cost limit. Given that I would put up a substantial self supporting commercial tower ~ 130' tall. Solid legs, 5 or 6' face tapering to 1 or 2 feet. Pyro
Author: "Jon Zaimes, AA1K via Topband" <topband@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2022 11:27:00 +0000 (UTC)
My version of Tim's array was installed in 1998, with 120 on-ground radials under each element. A few years later I added an extra director toward Europe for an additional 0.9 db gain in that directi
I like 4-squares Dino. I have them on 15, 20, 40, 80 and a small 2-el on 160... I'm still looking for an ACB-10 (10 meters) (or equivalent) to complete the whole set. If it were me, I'd build whateve
Sorry I am a bit late to the party. You certainly can't go wrong with what K3LR or AA1K have. One question that maybe I would ask before giving advice - is what do you want to do with it? Is your pri
Hi Dino, I started with a single 1/4 wave vertical as Tree notes and it worked extremely well for years, however after a period of time I had a desire to upgrade the single vertical to a system that
Different people have differing views on the definition of a serious antenna. An 8 circle with 8 directions of BSEF verticals would definitely be serious. If you wanted one tower and didnt want to do
The casual antenna nut considering a parasitic vertical array will need to pay very close attention to the comment on having a VERY SERIOUS ground radial system on all elements. 73/jeff/ac0c alpha-ch
Thanks Tree and the rest! I don't contest for two reasons; I lack talent and patience. No way I'm sitting in a chair past 2 hours! Besides, my ears are shot thanks to the US Navy (but I'm not complai
Dino, you didnt Mention if you were building a house on the 5 acres. If so, that would limit your choices depending on where the house is. Im on 6 acres and at best I could get 2 elements either to t
Hi Dino, You did not mention cost as a factor in consideration of a vertical array. On 5 acres a good full sized vertical and KW with a good effort in ground system would likely do the job. A strong
Hi Dino, Regardless of what antenna you ultimately decide to build, before you even make an offer on a piece of property, go there with a mobile receiver and check to see what the ambient QRM level i
This is a great piece of advice!!! I would add: check those QRN levels at various times and on different days. 73 Mike W0BTU _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband
I actually got permission from the seller to go out there, set up an antenna, and operate a 160 contest before making and offer. The place worked great. I committed. Mark N5OT 73 Mike W0BTU ... befo
YES! This is VERY important advice, trumps all else. And I echo those who have advised to build one vertical radiator with an excellent radial system, and the best RX antenna system that will fit on
This begs the question, What is the shape and orientation of this 5 acres? 73 Mike W0BTU _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Sorry folks, I don't totally agree. Granted, this may be a bit of semantics. But, for the last 3 or 4 years we've used what's known as a Double L on 160 at PJ4K. The top's about 130 feet with the ver
I asked about the land dimensions and orientation mostly for determining what his receiving antenna options are. 73 Mike W0BTU _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topban