[TowerTalk] 80m small antenna

[N4CW@aol.com]

My two cents:
If at all possible, use a balanced antenna. The idea of using two helical 
whip antennas is valid. However, the lower the band, the lower the impedance. 
A REVERSED 4:1 balun on bands 80 thru 20 fed thru a tuner will handle most of 
the mismatch you'd encounter. If you feed directly with balanced line from 
the antenna to a tuner (without balun), you'll find tuning difficult on 80. 
The idea is not to depend on any kind of "ground" to load your antenna 
system. In an apartment, you'll more than likely have problems with r.f. 
everywhere you don't want it!
The one thing that will work best for you with any antenna you choose will be 
to get it "up, up, and away" from the premises. That'll make complying with 
FCC radiation guidelines a little easier (unlike trying to comply while 
transmitting to a bedspring while sitting on the bed....I've done that....).
Good luck.
Bert N4CW

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com