[TowerTalk] 80M antenna suggestion

[James C. Hall, MD]

Hi Richard:

Sounds like you're hard at it ! HI One suggestion for 80M is to also run a
shunt on the tower coming off one section lower than your 160M shunt arm.
You've already got the ground plane and the receive antenna. (BTW, check out
that loop on 40M !). I have a sloping delta loop that was featured in the
ARRL Antenna Compendium Vol.6. I also have a long Carolina Windom from Radio
Works that does VERY well on 80M. In fact, in my experience, the Windom
seems to do a bit better than the Delta loop - most likely because the loop
has virtually NO altitude. The inverted-V is merely OK and mostly for short
range contacts. The inverted-L is more vertically polarized and would use
your already-planted ground screen. AND it requires one more vertical
support. For the work involved, shunt the tower.

Also, cut down the Cottonwoods !! My sinuses feel it from here !!

73, Jamie
WB4YDL

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Richard W. Harris
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 10:00 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] 80M antenna suggestion

Hi,
I finally finished my 160M shunt-fed tower antenna and it works superbly.
Lots of work but I think it will be worth it.  I want to thank all those
that gave me suggestions for this antenna.
 
My next project is to get an antenna for 80M.  I have been investigating
several options and want any feedback regarding them.  To summarize my setup
so far - I have a single 72 foot 4-section US Towers crankup tower with a
12-element 7-band Sommer antenna for 10M through 40M at about 75 feet.  I
also have, of course, the 160M shunt-fed antenna on this tower.  I have
large (60-70 foot) cottonwood trees about 75-85 feet to the west of my tower
and my home (about 30 feet above ground) about 75 feet to the east.  I have
56 ground radials totalling about 5000 feet of wire radiating from the tower
for the 160M shunt-fed antenna.  I have two " conduits underground from my
tower to my shack to run any coax and control cables.  I also have a K9AY
loop for 80m/160m receive about 80 feet to the southwest of my tower.
 
I have been looking at the following for 80M: a) inverted-V, b) inverted-L,
c) Delta loop  for 80M.  I can attach a 3-4 foot standoff on my tower at the
top of any of the sections to attach any of these three antennas.  My
question is do you  have any suggestions as to which of the three antennas
(or any other you feel might be better) I might have the best luck with on
this tower for 80M? Also, for any of these you might recommend what
suggestions for coupling the coax to the antenna.  Do I need a balun or
direct connection?
 
Thanks much for your generous help,
Richard - KJ7CU
_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk