Topband: Effect of trees- tree appreciation

[Charlie Cunningham]

You're a man after my own heart, Greg!  I never worried so much about the
"Dbs".  As a DXer, I generally listened a lot, and I found that on 160, if I
could hear them - more often than not, I could work 'em - wherever in the
world they might be.

Aside from 160, I have also built fearsome 3-el 40m vertical yagis for
special paths, like Bouvet and Peter 1, that enabled me to work them on
first call in huge east coast pileups!

So, I figure if I'm working what what I can hear, and break through monster
pileups for the tough ones, then I probably don't need to sweat or
"nit-pick" the real or imagined tree losses!

I also built a big 5-element 80m steerable vertical array (supported by
trees)  that was a fearsome "world-beater".  Trees have been very good to
me!

73,
Charlie, K4OTV

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Greg
Chartrand
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 4:21 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Effect of trees- tree appreciation



I expect the losses are related to current not voltage. The current of my
antenna is in the vertical section for the most part and loss would would
have to happen there as coupled to the nearest tree. The current would have
to flow to ground so I seriously doubt if the resistance of the trunk is low
enough to conduct any significant current to ground. Any loss in the top hat
where the voltage is probably would amount to much power; the current has
already flowed in the vertical section where I want it to. I had one of the
top hat wires break once due to an apparent arc to a tree limb. My solution
was wire with better insulation, so far so good.

 I couldn't care less about any speculated loss due to my trees. Without
them I would not have an antenna on 160 so I figure I'm probably at least
+50 db compared to my dummy load and many db better that a makeshift antenna
away from the trees. 

I'd encourage anyone considering 160 to use trees to suspend an antenna if
they are available. If I had a nice 100' tree in my backyard I guarantee you
I'd use it. I also guarantee that I'd spend a hell of a lot of money putting
up an equivalent tower in the open and the DB difference would not be worth
the effort and cost  for me. 

Again, thank you trees.
---------------------------------------------------------
Greg Chartrand - W7MY 
Richland, WA.


W7MY Home Page:
http://webpages.charter.net/w7my/

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Topband Reflector