[TowerTalk] Gap Vertical

[Rick Markey]

I've had a GAP Challenger, I think.  It's the DX-VI 6 band vertical that's 31.5 feet in height.  The antenna covers 80 , 40, 20, 15, 12, and 10 meters.  I think the newer versions add 6 and 2.  On 40 meters and above, the antenna works very well.  I've compared it on 40 M to a dipole at 60 feet.  The results are always a toss up.  Most times the GAP wins, sometimes the dipole wins.  On 20 and above, I don't have anything with which to make a comparison.  Would it beat a tribander at a decent height?  I doubt it.  But I have used the GAP in some limited contesting and also on RTTY.  It works well.  Presently it's my only antenna for 40 M and up.  On 80 M, it just doesn't have it.  The matching system is too lossy, or so I've read.  Despite the fact that it's often 15 db down compared to my inverted vee at 60', I sometimes can pull a station out of the noise on 80 M with it.

My only other experience with a vertical has been with a Butternut.  The GAP is much less trouble.  No tuning!  A big plus.  I use 3 - 15' and 3 - 25' counterpoise wires.  No complaints.  Most of what I've heard about the GAP Titan, has been negative.  The Challenger and the Voyager seem to get good reviews, except on the lowest band of operation.

Good luck, de KN3C

----------
From: 	Martin Gary[SMTP:n3hrt@eagle1.eaglenet.com]
Sent: 	Friday, August 01, 1997 22:10
To: 	towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: 	[TowerTalk] Gap Vertical

Hi all,

I'm afraid that I'm going to start a big thread with this one... I'm
sure this has been talked to death, and in my defense I DID look in the
archives before posting this. 

Here's the deal. I have about $300.00 to spend and I want to buy an
antenna that will cover 40-10 meters. I considered a tri-band beam, but
then I would still be looking for something for the WARC bands. Besides,
getting a beam is just the tip of the iceberg. You still have to buy a
rotor, and everyone knows how expensive they are. So, after looking thru
all of my catalogs, I decided that one of the Gap verticals might be a
good choice. I think the Titan DX is the one that  would work best for
my needs. I have a 40ft. telephone pole that I could mount it on. 

So, after making that decision, I starting asking around about them,
trying to find someone who actually had one to see how they perform,
Everyone I talked to either hates them or loves them..(none of these
poeple have actually owned one)
I KNOW that they fall way short of the performance of a beam, but how do
they compare with other verticals, dipoles, etc.... Whats the real story
with them? Are they worth  messing with or what???

Any comments, suggestions, or alternative ideas would be greatly
appreciated.

Martin, N3HRT.

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search




--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search