[RTTY] Antenna Question

[Doug Hall]

I agree with AA4LR on this. I had an A4S up at 70 feet for several
years before losing the antenna and tower to Hurricane Fran. (Huge
pine tree fell across the guy wires and brought the whole works down.)
I have never used the TH5, but I have compared the A4S to a TH3 and I
think the Cushcraft is the better antenna. At one time I did some
research on trap losses in trapped tribanders and found that the traps
in my A4S had less loss than the TH3 I tested. Now granted, this
wasn't the most scientific test in the world, because the TH3 traps
were about 10 years older than the ones from the A4S, so take it with
a grain of salt. In any case I found the A4S to be a good antenna and
I worked a lot of DX with it.

Regards,
Doug, K4DSP

On 7/3/06, Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net> wrote:
>
> On Jul 1, 2006, at 12:19 PM, Professional Home Inspections wrote:
>
> > If you had the choice, which antenna would you mount on a crank-up
> > tower,
> > about 60 feet to the antenna?
> >
> > A Hygain TH5-MK2
> > A Cushcraft A4S
> >
> > And WHY ??
>
> Practically speaking, there's not a whole lot of difference between
> these two antennas. They are both trapped tribanders with similar
> boom lengths 19 and 18.5 feet, respectively.
>
> I would favor the A4S myself. A couple of reasons. First, I happen to
> like Cushcraft antennas. The A4S has been installed by a large number
> of hams, and it is a proven performer. While perhaps not as efficient
> as some of the modern computer-optimized designs, it will hold its own.
>
> The TH5-Mk2 isn't quite as popular. The Hy-gain probably has slightly
> better mechanical construction, but is heavier. The extra driven
> element probably doesn't buy much in the way of performance, but
> contributes to extra weight and wind load.
>
> I tend to like the lightweight element design of the Cushcraft. It
> might not be so appropriate if you live in an area that gets frequent
> icing. (Although my A3S survived an ice storm with about 1/2" of ice
> on top of the elements)
>
> It would be the A4S for me, choosing between these two. If you are
> trying to pick the best tribander with a 19-foot boom, the Force-12
> C19 series would probably outshine most.
>
>
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>              -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>
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