[TenTec] Help Selecting a Directional Antenna

[Ron Castro]

I would have to agree with those who mentioned the StepIR antennas.  I don't 
have one yet, but the research I have done indicates that it's a good 
compromise between mono-banders on each band, interlaced beams and various 
other schemes if you want true multi-band coverage.  They have a 3-element 
unit that can be ordered with a linear loaded, motor controlled 40/30 meter 
element to give all-band coverage on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 with one 
feedline, one boom, one tower and 1:1 SWR on all frequencies except 30 
meters where it's around 1.7:1.

A local ham here who is on the DXCC Honor Roll bought a 4-element 20-6 
version several months ago and has been extremely happy with it.  Our club 
used a 4-element StepIR and the massive MonstIR on Field Day and we believe 
that we will come out #1 or #2 nationally in the very competitive 2A class. 
I hear more StepIR's on the air now than any other antenna.

I have been planning my "retirement" antenna system which, if it ever 
happens, will have 4-element StepIR's at 45' and 90', a MonstIR at 135' and 
a 2-element Force 12 for 75/80 at 145' on a rotating Rohn 65 tower.  A pipe 
dream at this point, but maybe someday....

Ron N6AHA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "W.D. (Doc) Lindsey" <dock0evz at earthlink.net>
To: "QRP-L Reflector" <qrp-l at mailman.qth.net>; "Ten Tec Reflector" 
<tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 7:22 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Help Selecting a Directional Antenna


> Dear Gang:
>
> Well I am finally ready to buy and install a directional antenna for at
> least the higher HF bands. Been a ham now for 46 years, but have only used
> wire antennas (dipoles, inverted vees, wire ground planes, long wires. For
> 5 years I had a 560' horizontal loop up 33 feet suspended by wooden
> telephone poles in North Dokata. All of the antennas worked after a
> fashion, and sometimes surprisingly good results were obtained.
>
> I have also used GAP Titans in two QTH's with excellent results overall. I
> may put up here in central New Mexican, as well. BUT I right now to put up
> a yagi of some sort, for at least 20M - 10M. Maybe including 6 M as well.
>
> There are no covenants or restricts here, and our asl is close 7000, so
> maybe the yagi would not to have a very tall metal tower. ANYWAY, what
> suggestions do you have. And fire away, because I honestly know 
> practically
> zilch. There are some excellent fellow QRPers nearby who would make their
> expertise and strength available.
>
> So what effective, durable antenna system you might recommend? I will
> happily receive all suggestions and put them into the mix. Thanks in
> advance for any help you might offer.
>
> 73,
> ---Doc/K0EVZ
>
> PS I would be willing to call some of you, on my dime, to get this process
> underway. Lately I have missed several DX stations, apparently due to low
> power on my end. And conditions of course have their own challenges.
>
> W.D. (Doc) Lindsey
> dock0evz at earthlink.net
> EarthLink Revolves Around You.
>
>
> W.D. (Doc) Lindsey
> dock0evz at earthlink.net
> EarthLink Revolves Around You.
>
>
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