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KT-34A

Subject: KT-34A
From: Jeff Singer <wa2syn@li.net> (Jeff Singer)
On Mon, 19 Feb 1996, Jay wrote:

> Hello Everyone,
> I am considering A KLM KT-34A tribander and would like your input.
> I live in a rural township where we have wind gusts at or above 
> 50 mph a few times a year.
> I am concerned about wind survival and performance at 50 ft.
> 
> TU/73
> Jay Sturtevant  AA2IX
> d7507@microagewny.com
-----------------------
Jay - 
   I've had two Kt34's, one a kt-34XA. I just love these antennas. In 
particular, the "XA" will give you the flattest SWR you will ever see 
across every band from top to bottom (and then some), and just abt the 
best gain (and best ears, too) available in a tribander. Less performance 
is available in the plain kt34 (but very FB considering its small size).

   These antennas are not plagued by traps or coils, and are electrically 
similar to other antennas using capacitative or linear type loading to 
achieve a good match. They are NOT lossy, and are - mechanically - extremely 
strong. I just lost the top of my 60' aluminum tower and the KT34XA came 
to earth via a 70' drop. With the exception of 3 element halves which got 
destroyed, the antenna unscathed (really)! They are VERY strong. The 
down side of this is that they are HEAVY and carry a rather fair 
windload. At this station we refer to it as "The Beast."

   There are other antennas, such as Force 12, which are touted to be 
spectacular performers while being lightweight, but in my opinion, they 
haven't been in service nearly long enough to truly tell the whole story. 
KLM has been around forever, and when you get all your parts (prepare to 
spend at least twice the time they claim to put it together), ALL the 
parts are correct, and ALL the instructions are crystal clear and 
complete. I have seen Mosley stuff, and cushcraft stuff, and they just 
don't compare in this way. The Force 12 package often arrives incomplete 
or some parts are incorrectly sized, due to their sudden "popularity." 
This doesn't make them poor performers, just niggling friends.

   Many ops claim the KLMs need a great deal of regular maintenance. I 
have never found this to be the case, but see what the others can tell 
you. Soon I will be replacing the tower. I will order a new kt-34XA to 
put up at abt 72'and winds here also get over 50 mph. Not to worry. Just 
make sure your setup can hold her.

Good Luck!

73 de Jeff WA2SYN
wa2syn@li.net

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