At 06:45 AM 1/14/02 -0500, Tom Rauch wrote:
>> The Loop Mast and Hadware kit that Gary (K9AY) sells includes 24 feet
>> of fiberglass support mast.
>>
>> 73 de Mike, W4EF
>
>You do not need a fiberglass mast. That antenna has a moderately
>low impedance.
>
>All you need is an ground-insulated mast (conduit is fine) with a
>short stub of PVC at the top to keep it away from the wire.
This appears to be correct. Since posting my original inquiry, I have
modeled the antenna with and without a conductive mast, grounded and
floating, and there appear to be only miniscule differences in pattern
shape and maximum gain. I will probably use fiberglass, if only because
the K9AY loop will be reasonably close to my 80-meter array and I would
rather not have any more conductive stuff around than necessary.
BTW, there are surplus fiberglass masts available for much less money than
the kit. I'll be testing one shortly and will hopefully be able to offer
an endorsement for this and other purposes.
73, Pete N4ZR
The revised World Contest
Station Database
is online at www.pvrc.org
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