[TowerTalk] Vertical Dipoles

[Jim Brown]

On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:14:41 -0600, Rob Atkinson wrote:

>I don't think there is any relevance in comparing an inverted V to a
>vertical dipole.

The relevance is a practical one. Let's say I have a rope in a pulley 
at 100 ft (or a tower that I can climb) and I want to support an 
antenna, and I have no other supports (or at least nothing high). What 
antenna should I try to support from that single point -- a vertical 
dipole or an inverted Vee?  The Inverted Vee is clearly superior, as 
shown by modeling in NEC, and by the analysis in the paper Rob has 
cited. 

Rudy's design, and the ones that David and Ian are describing, are 
quite ingenious, and interact differently with the earth by virtue of 
their design (and height). They are also CONSTRUCTED very differently. 
They are the answer to a different real estate problem -- I can erect 
a tower of modest neight and I want to work 160M (or 80M). :)   

BTW -- the interaction with the earth is strongly dependent on HEIGHT 
of the antenna. When I modeled my vertical dipole, I tried it at 
several heights, and found that while "higher is better," it isn't 
enough better to make it a good antenna. :)

73,

Jim K9YC