[TowerTalk] Sommer antennas

[Ken Eckel Jr.]

I have enjoyed the discussion on antennas in their varying uses.  Most
compair antannas in a contest environment.  My experience is an antenna that
gets you on as many bands as possible will produce over time much more DX in
your logbook.  If the DX is on 30M you work it on 30M, if
its on 12M you work it on 12M.  I do at times find working a pileup
especially on 15M a task.
I usually have to time my attempts on openings that are on the back side of
the clock for the
9 to 5 crowd.

Mosley gets beat up pretty badly and maybe rightly so, but I have had a Pro
67c up for 2.5
years and the results have been outstanding.  I have worked 200+ DX entities
on 10,15,20 each.
I have worked 100+ DX entities on 12, 17, 30, 40 each.   I have actually
worked 12 DX entities on
80M and 5 DX entities on 160.  Now the last few are flukes, kinda like
stealing, but hey a
contact is a contact.  I use a small solid state amp and Icom 2KL with 500
watts out.  The antenna is up at about 65 feet.  This is perfect for 40M and
the 3 elements on 40 kick butt.

BTW, the Pro67c is resonant on 6M FM.  I have no idea what the pattern is
but I use it for the
local repeaters.  I have a 7 element 6M beam about 10 feet above the Pro67c.

I'd say the Pro67c's weakest band is 15M. This is not from total results but
from the effort it
takes to break a pile up.

I did have to wait an inordinate amount of time for delivery and I loath the
thought of repairing
this antenna if it becomes necessary.  I have read the horror stories.  I
would hesitate if I were
starting from scratch, but now that I have the antenna in service I am glad.
Your results may
vary.  The Mosley antenna is also VERY expensive.  If money is your main
concern put up
dipoles.  Also, ARRL contests are all on 10,15,20,40,80,160. So a tribander
without WARC
bands will do well in a contest.  If you are a DX'er, you miss out.  DX is
where DX is, work it
where it is.

73,
Ken AB5A


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