[Mldxcc] Tri-Bander

[Alan Maenchen]

I agree with Rick.
I think the smaller and more heavily loaded antennas have less bandwidth so
you do run into that problem. However, even with poor SWR I think the
pattern doesn't change all that much. At least that's what I gleen from
playing with NEC.  Still, poor SWR means power loss both in RX and TX
directions even if you use a tuner. It's far from ideal, but even at the
wrong end of the band it's better than a dipole.

I use the A3S for portable operations such as CQP expeditions or Field Day.
It's far from ideal, but it works and it's easy to install.

The best solution is a SteppIR.

The C31 is BIG (31ft boom). The elements are full size so no loading
issues. They claim 1.7 SWR max anywhere in the band .. assuming it's tuned
in the middle. Mine is not centered properly, but it's pretty broad band. I
originally installed it as a true tribander with a single feed. Later I
changed it to individual feeds. Nice to have that option.

73, Alan  AD6E





On Fri, Dec 21, 2012 at 12:40 AM, Rick Karlquist <richard at karlquist.com>wrote:

> Doc Dashiell wrote:
> > A question for the group.
> >
> > I would like recommendations for a tri-bander..
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > doc
> > _______________________________________________
>
> The main issue with tribanders is bandwidth.
> A few, like the KT-34, cover all of 20 and 15,
> and at least a good chunk of 10.  OTOH, many
> of them have to be configured for CW or phone, or
> worse yet, CW, low phone, or high phone.  Unless
> you only operate one mode, avoid this type of
> tribander.
>
> Before someone says to use a tuner to extend the
> bandwidth, it doesn't work.  A tuner will make
> the transmitter happy, but won't fix a bad pattern.
>
> Personally, I own three SteppIR beams and am very
> happy with them, but you asked about tribanders.
> I used to have a KT-34, which was great when it
> was working, which it often wasn't.  The new KT-34
> has fixed the known problems with the old KT-34
> so that would be my suggestion for a tribander.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
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