[TowerTalk] 40 meter beam info thanks

[Dave Fuller]

I have gotten a lot of great thoughful responses to my request...Thank 
you all.

I got quite a few suggestions about stacking 2  2 element 40 meter beams 
and I agree that is a good thing to do but not in my case.  After 
modeling and playing with HFTA and my terrain I just don't see that it 
is worth the complexity and cost for the performance I would get 
starting a 40 meter stack at 90 feet.   If I had 150+ feet then it would 
make more sense for me.   I am planning to use the 80 foot and lower 
parts of the tower to stack two other beams for 20 through 10 and I will 
look at options there but I probably won't get that far this year.  
Therefore for me I am starting at the top so to speak and making a 
single 40 meter antenna choice to be installed at 90 feet. 
I got one suggestion to look at the Monster IR and I have watched the 
development and deployment of that antenna closely.  I don't want to go 
there because of cost, weight, complexity, bigger mast, bigger rotator 
and have all of my operation in one antenna so to speak.    I will 
consider a steppir for the smaller antennas.  I like the idea of the 
steppir and would like to try one because I think it is a very cool 
idea...i just want to try one out.
The question of 40 m full size vs linear loading is a question of cost 
and size.   I'm trying to get reasonable performance for reasonable 
cost.  The goal of this station is not to be in the top 2 % of contest 
stations...I don't have that kind of time, real estate,  or money.  Size 
is an issue not becaue of the tower but because of my yard.   I cleared 
a lot of trees for this tower...lots of work but I didn't want the 
property to be a wasteland either.   Putting together any 40 meter bearm 
and getting it tuned and up the tower is going to involve working with 
some remaining tree cover.  A full size antenna will be more difficult 
to accomplish and more money...not sure it is worth it for me. 
As for 2 or 3 elements I have got a lot of input that says for a single 
antenna go with the 3/4 and that it kinda how I feel about it.

So here we are picking our 3/4 element linear loaded antennas.   My QTH 
is in New Mexico mountains at 7200 feet and I do get some ice, wind, and 
snow. How bad?...I don't know this is the only ice and snow I have ever 
lived in.     The only reason I would consider the optibeam is that it 
is probably the most rugged linear loaded 40 m beam there is.  I am 
worried about longevity because I don't want to have to climb up there 
and mess with that antenna every couple of years but how much is that 
worth double the price?.   The forty will be on top and harder to get to 
than any of the other antennas.  If it had to come down probably the 
other antennas would have to come down too....I don't want that.    
However the Omnibeam is twice the cost of the M2 and I'll bet the 
performance except for mechanical reliability is the same or close.   So 
the question is what about reliability of the M2 and Force 12 3/4 
element antennas.  Does anyone have any reliability longevity issues 
that you have not yet shared about those antennas in similar 
conditions?   Other than that  I still have not settled on a decision 
and I still have some time to think about it (The tower isn't up yet but 
I'm working on it now).  Anyway I sure appreciate all of your input so 
far and sorry I have not been able to respond to everyone.   If you have 
more thoughts or haven't responded yet keep the comments coming I have 
enjoyed all of the ideas I have received.

TNX
-Dave WD7Z