[TowerTalk] Monoband Verticals from N0AH

[Dinsterdog@aol.com]

RE: 80M 1/4 vertical
 
Depends if you get serious icing in your area.  If so, go to the  last line 
of this posting.
 
If not,  I'd suggest top loading a homemade 1/4 wave vertical for  80M.  It 
is a compromise but toploading helps the homemade antenna survive  better in 
the elements.
 
You can get your aluminum from Texas Towers.  I used copper weld wire  for my 
top loading wires  they also acted as part of the guys near the  top of the 
antenna. Use three.
 
I got a guy ring from Radio Shack and a hose clamp to attach to the top hat  
wires to the antenna but I am not sure if the make the guy  rings anymore.  
 
Your radial system and antenna design goes without saying will impact  your 
needs of a matching device. I'm a big fan of the Amidon UNUN. I can even  use 
one-    
 
I used this vertical design to build a 4 SQR.  It worked very well and  each 
antenna cost about $450 to build. I did not use a matching device. 
 
After ice destroyed my 4 SQR 5 times in 2 years,  I swore I would  never put 
them up again as I was putting them up again.  It was  not the fault of the 
aluminum.  The ice on the guy twine pulled things  down. Moral of the story is 
there is such a thing as using too many guy ropes  and history does repeat 
itself to those dumb enough who don't learn from  it-   I finally gave up on the 
dacron rope and went with bailing  twine.  Life got better-
 
If you get serious icing in your area, maybe call WX0B at Array  Solutions.  
He might still be carrying some amazing self supporting all  weather 80M 
verticals. If not for the fact I moved, I would have four of them up  in the air at 
my old QTH.  Live and learn.   
 
 
 
.