Hi Guys,
I have had a 40-2cd @ 120', a 3 L wire beam @ 50' and a wire 4-square for
the past
4 years - before that I had the 3 L wire beam and wire 4 square for 3 more
years.
I use all three antennas on a regular basis and can switch instantly between
them with a
WX0B stackmaster.
The 4-square (with elevated radials) has excellent F/B and F/S and is kept
in
place with ropes at all positions (to keep the array in a square shape at
the proper
distances) BUT, in 7 years of all kinds of cndx, contests and general
operating, it has NEVER
been better than the wire beam or the 40-2cd when they
are all in the same direction! (Northeast)
On rare occasions, the 4-square is almost equal but usually is about 6 - 12
db weaker than
the wire beam and the 40-2cd.
.
The 4-square has THREE significant advantages:
1) Instant directional switching - this is a BIGGIE!
2) Generally quieter antenna (less qrn)
3) Better F/S and the F/B so better S/N ratio for really weak guys.
The 40-2CD and Wire Beam are definitely LOUDER both on receive and
txmit in the desired direction.
So, to summarize, in my experience, a 4 square CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT
be used in place of a decent 40 meter beam unless there is no other option.
Likewise, a properly designed and installed 40 meter beam will usually kill
a 4-square
in a pileup when both are oriented in the same direction.
I like using both, each for its own advantages and I recommend using both if
possible.
WC1M and I have discussed, many times, the difference between 4-squares and
beams on 40
and after several humbling experiences (with rates 1/2 of guys with beams),
Dick, WC1M
came to the same conclusion.
73
Bob KQ2M
> Wes Cosand wrote:
> > Has someone done a careful comparison of these two antennas for
> 40 meters?
>
> Hi Wes,
> I have had a 40m 4 sq with Comtek box and 240 radials for 3 years and it
works
> very well.
>
> Yesterday, I put a 40-2CD up at 50' on an AB577 and A/B'd the heck out of
it to
> US, EU, JA, & ZL.
> The beam and 4 sq are about even on many stateside signals, the farther
> stateside signals are 5-10 db better on the beam.
> The beam is about 10db better on almost all dx. An SM reported the beam 15
over
> S9, when the 4sq was S9. I purposely sought out very weak EU and JA
signals, and
> found many that could be heard but not copied on the 4sq, but were copied
on the
> beam.
>
> That's just one night's comparison, but I think you'd rather have the beam
@
> 70', I know I would. Maybe someday.
> Having both is really neat for picking up signals from all over the place.
> I noticed frequently that the QSB swings were less on the beam.
>
> I think WC1M did the same thing and liked the beam.
>
> Have fun with the new project.
>
> --
> 73, Kurt, K7NV
>
> http://yagistress.freeyellow.com
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