Topband: K8UR array

[Iowaguy]

I have an 80 mtr K8UR array hung from the 120' guy ring on the rotating
tower.  I do use current baluns on my array.  They do present some extra
weight but not so excessive as to cause major problems.  DO USE thimbles on
the dipole wires (particularly the top wire carrying the weight and force of
the tie off rope) where they attach to the balun, lest the wires fatigue and
break (mine did after abt 12 months).

73...Dave
W0FLS

-----Original Message-----
From: topband-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Ron Feutz
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 1:53 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: K8UR array


Topbanders,

I have long wanted to put a K8UR array (1/2 wave dipole 4-square with
center fed elements pulled back in at the bottom) or a similar array using
straight dipole slopers, on a 240' SSV commercial 2-way tower that I
own.  The tower scales up nearly exactly from the 80 meter array in ON4UN's
book.  I have a Comtek 4-sq controller that I intend to use.

ON4UN does not show baluns at the feed points; the Comtek manual does.  Are
baluns necessary?  I would prefer to not use them to lighten the wind and
weight load on the antenna/tower.

The pattern shown in John's book for the K8UR array has a very broad front
lobe and a poor front-to-back, making the array a less-than-ideal RX
antenna.  Is there anyone using one who could give me advice on this?  I
lease only a small plot where the tower sits, and don't know if I could get
permission to put RX antennas nearby.

The pattern for the array with straight sloping dipoles shows a sharper
front lobe and a much better F/B, but it has lots of high angle radiation.
It seems to be a trade off, but my gut tells me the straight dipole sloper
array would be a better RX antenna.

Is there anyone out there who could model this for me?  It would be nice to
know the right length for the dipoles at the start, as cut-and-try would be
a very cumbersome tuning method.

73,

Ron - WA9IRV


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