Dave Sublette wrote:
> I sympathize with those operating from city lots. I did it for years and
> know what you are up against. The ground system is by far the most
> critical component of the antenna system. Unless you can come up with a
> good ground, don't waste your time and money on an antenna.
>
> Of course, almost any sort of matched antenna will allow you to get on
> the band and make many enjoyable QSOs. Just don't expect to work DX
> under most conditions.
>
> 73,
>
> Dave, K4TO
The reality doesn't always agree with the theory books. I worked loads
(in the thousands) of NA, SA and EU stations on top band from both J5
and 9L with my Paragon, Drake L-7 and a modified Butternut HF-2V. I
used mica caps for the 160m portion of the antenna and lengthened the
top loading wires so that I couldn't use the antenna on 40 even with the
entire 40m coil shorted. Radials were whatever I could fit on the
rooftops and sneak down the sides of the buildings. At no time were
more than 20 random-length radials used. The antenna in use from A2 was
50 feet of tower with a TA-34XL and Cushcraft 40m yagi for top loading.
A couple of 1/4 wave radials were used there but the rest were random
and short. Again, thousands of DX QSOs were made including the West
Coast on both SSB and CW and a UA9 on RTTY.
Don't give up because someone thinks it can't be done!
Dave Heil OH2/K8MN
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