[TowerTalk] 160M Wire Antenna

[wa4dou@juno.com]

Hi Joe, Al and Gang,
  This is probably an excellent example, where one offers comments meant
to be taken in generality, and instead, they are taken issue with, as if
they were offered as precise technical gospel. I'm not suggesting that
Joe took issue with the statement, only that the statement provoked
issue. 
  When i read, that the author has stated that an antenna for a specific
freq. range(160 meters) , located a certain height above ground, radiates
straight up, i know he is speaking in generality. My antenna books have
charts based on height in wavelengths, and fractions thereof, and i can
clearly see that the bulk of the radiation, at 1/8th to 1/4 wavelength
high, IS up! Too high to be useful for dx, unless one has nothing better.
Then, its better than nothing. After all, almost all antennas and the
circumstances in which they're mounted, have some low angle radiation,
even if its 6-10-15-20-30 or more db down from the main angle(s). With
enough power and time, any antenna can work some dx. And with enough time
and a little power and an excellent antenna, all dx can surely be worked.
The truism" A station is only as effective as its antenna" ranks right up
there with the Fram man stating" you can pay me now or later."
  Generalities aren't meant to be taken to the "Nth" degree in
interpretation, they're meant to be understood with discernment, and a
degree of latitude is supposed to be understood, as well as degrees of
applicability. Generalities are a useful means of expression, even
necessary if one is to cover a lot of ground rapidly. 
  I was in the Navy for 8 yrs. One very important thing i learned there
was that it is imperitive to read the question very carefully, to listen
carefully, to think and react carefully, etc. This is a very fine "list"
with lots of good ideas, info, etc. shared here. Yet, just like on so
many lists, there are hams who do not read carefully,  think carefully,
listen carefully, react carefully. For some of those, even a
"kindergarden" picture wouldn't be enough. 
  I have ,no doubt, stepped on someone, bruised someone, offended
someone, whatever. They say that the mark of intelligence is being able
to synthesize information from other information. I'm given to understand
that , in modern times, any remark is likely to offend someone. To you
i'd say" get a life." Intelligence doesn't get insulted, only
pseudo-intelligence does.
  73 Roy WA4DOU
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On Fri, 21 Apr 2000 10:47:52 -0400 Joe Reisert <jreisert@jlc.net> writes:
> 
> K7PUC,
> 
> Straight up may be a misnomer. Not all power on 160-Meters is 
> directed 
> straight up. How do you explain how........ 
> 73,

> Joe, W1JR
> 
> 
> At 07:03 AM 4/21/00 -0700, Al Williams wrote:
> 
> >My observations using EZNEC are that all horizontal single wire 
> antennas
> >(except several wavelengths)
> >under ~100' high radiate about equally i.e. straight up!



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