Mack, I use two DXE bi-directional beverages, each 720 ft long, fed with a
single 300 ft length of direct burial quad shield RG6. The DXE transformers
and relay switching boxes use high quality weather-proof construction. That
said, the ladder line caused me nothing but continuing maintenace headaches.
Furthermore, the little DXE plastic ladder line clamps are very flimsy and
broke within a few months. I finally gave up and replaced the ladder line
with parallel lengths of WD-1a field telephone wire (the twisted pair
version), supported on 4x4 posts with ceramic insulators. The electrical
performance appears to be the same as with ladder line, but it makes for a
much more robust installation and the field wire is much cheaper than ladder
line.
73,
Jim W8ZR
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mack
McCormick
> Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2014 7:12 AM
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: Recommended Antennas for 160M/80M Receiving
>
> Friends,
>
> I need to really increase my country count on 160M so I've decided to
> installed dedicated receiving antennas. My home is on a 6 acre rectangular
> lot so I have room for a couple of 800 ft beverages at 90 degree angles or
> an 8 element circular array.
>
> I've been carefully following the discussion about the merits of various 8
> element arrays and beverages.
>
> *I "believe" the consensus is that a set of bi-directional beverages will
> generally perform better than any 8 element circular array. Am I correct?
> I'm specifically speaking about working countries on 160M and 80M.*
>
> I also "believe" the bi-directional antenna choices come down to two
> flavors.
>
> The DXEngineering ladder line version or the BevFlex-4 that uses RG-6.
*I'm
> leaning toward the BevFlex-4.*
>
> I would REALLY appreciate your views on the recommended receive antenna
> system if space and money are not big concerns. I'd like to do it
correctly
> one time and the first time.
>
> Vy 73,
>
> Mack
> W4AX
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