Hi guys,
Concerning the multi-band dipole I put up the other day (the one with
the QRM issues), after playing around for a couple of nights with
this antenna, I'm noticing the performance on 160 is non-existent for
anything more than about 600 miles away. Stations that are spotted
"loud" are ESP at best and 99% of spots made by other 1's and 2's
aren't audible at all. This is a 3-band dipole, and the 160 leg is
shared with 40m, then passes through a coil. Granted, it's an
electrically-shortened antenna with a lower capture area than a
full-sized antenna, but I was expecting better than this, for sure!
I can not achieve a flat SWR at all, anywhere; it comes down to 2:1
at 1830. It's in a Vee configuration with the apex at 68 feet, a
fairly steep angle off the tower and the ends are around 15 feet off
the ground. I'm not expecting miracles off this antenna, but I'd at
least like to have a shot into the Caribbean and Europe. With what's
there now even those modest destinations are completely out of the question.
The lot is about a quarter-acre suburban plot of land, irregularly
shaped, and certainly no room for a beverage or a full-sized 160
dipole. This is my first-ever attempt at top-band and my engineering
expertise is minimal. If there are any low-band experts who could
lend a hand (off-list might be better) and help me get set up right,
I'd be extremely grateful. Circumstances are such that I'm looking
for a solution that can go up once (and, weather and luck permitting)
stay up, rather than taking things down every few days to re-orient
and experiment, etc.
Thanks again to one and all, and the best for 2006!
- Peter
W2IRT
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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