Dave
If you want all five high bands in one antenna, compromises are required.
Traps, interlaced elements, or log periodic design all give up something in
gain or F/B to obtain multiband coverage.
As a contester, I am most concerned about 20-15-10. For those bands,
the Skyhawk, X7 (X9 if you can find one -- it's discontinued), KT-36XA
and TH-7 are, by all accounts, good performers. The Force 12s get good
reviews, especially the smaller ones, C-4, C-19 etc.
A 10-element log on a 24-foot boom (Cushcraft, Tennadyne, M2,...)
would be my choice if I needed 17 and 12 with performance equal to the
other bands and did not want another antenna.
73, Gary
K9AY
__________
> I am considering replacing my crank up tower. I plan on keeping my 40 meter
> beam (after doing repairs and maintenance) but my KT34X (very early XA) will
> probably be replaced. It works great on 10 and 20
> but is marginal on 15 (at times I hear them much better on the 40 meter
> beam).
>
> Here is what I am considering:
>
> 1. A Sommer XP80X. The version I am looking at covers 20 to 10 including
> 17 and 12. Its heavy and sometimes hard to work with but N4VZ did well with
> his and I know KM1E likes his as well as a couple of W2's I hear on 17.
> N4VZ was top of the pile on 12 and 17 and the antenna worked well on
> 10/15/20 as he did well in the CQ WW. W4KJ has the smaller version.
>
> 2. TH 11. K4SB has(or had) one up and said it was gangbusters on 17 and
> 12 but weakest on 20 where the KT34X is tops. I hear several Dx stations
> a 5B4 is very loud can't remember his call .. he is a G3 retired) using the
> beam.
>
> 3. KT36XA. Several guys tell me the new version really improves 15 and
> is better structurally and they plan on adding 17 and 12 (from K6MYC
> himself). I am using my 40 meter beam on 17 now and it works OK but lately
> I have to bring up my Henry 2K (600 watts out) to be competitive after
> working 340 countries with 100 watts. I have a W9PNE X beam on 12 but it
> messes up 15 and 10 on the KT34X and I have the same problem with now having
> to use high power (that Henry again) after nearly 300 countries with 100
> watts. The 40 meter beam and X beam do as well as the A3WS but I need more
> antenna if I am going to change.
>
> I have also considered Log Periodic but don't see any gain over the TH 11
> for the 32 footer I have looked at. No room for a second tower. I had up
> a stack of KLM Big Stickers when I first started at my current QTH but the
> 34X is as good (except on 15) and changing pleased the neighbors and the
> wife. I remember the hassle W8ZF went through with his stack. I plan on
> deciding on the antenna(s) and then deciding on which tower although I like
> the system N4NX has up and also like the Trylon or AN Tower (self
> supporting).
>
> Comments/suggestions.
>
> 73 Dave K4JRB
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