[TowerTalk] Cost effective Tower height

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

The Hex is a 2 element antenna.  We used one at J6 and from there it was 
more than adequate.  It was similar to a 2 element SteppIR.  If you 
could get a 3 or 4 element beam I think you would be happier.  The F/B 
on the Hex is not great.  They are nearly as expensive as a SteppIR but 
you have invested a lot of money in a crankup why not splurge a bit and 
get a better antenna.  If you want something on 6m either get a 
monobander from M2 or a STeppIR with the 6m passive elements.  The 
SteppIR works great on 6-20 or 30/40 so you can have 6-40 on one antenna.

Mike W0MU

W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net


On 12/3/2011 4:30 PM, dotravel at aol.com wrote:
> Wayne, the ridge should give you additional gain especially in the area that slopes away from your antenna site and that is a good thing.
>
> If I were you I'd consider using a beam with more gain than the HEX. The HEX is a wonderful antenna but gain and pattern are not its strong points.
> If you do use the HEX beam I'd suggest not ordering it with the 6m element because it is nearly ussless compared to even a small 3 element yagi.
>
> If you are ordering the HEX with the 6m wire you must be interested in that band and it is a wonderful band so you may seriously want to consider starting with a good 6m Yagi like the one from M2 -- still small enough to be light and still have a  low wind load yet be much more effective compared to the HEX 6m element --- you won't regret the upgrade to a real 6m yagi once the 6m season starts or even now when folks are working ZLs on 6m via F2.
>
> If you go with the HEX,  the M2 6m Yagi will fit nicely at the base of the mast just above the rotor.
>
> Regards, John NA6L
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wayne Crawford<resopkr at aol.com>
> To: towertalk<towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Fri, Dec 2, 2011 8:41 am
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Cost effective Tower height
>
>
>
> Greetings,
> One of the parameters mentioned here has been towers on flat ground. What effect
> oes unlevel ground/elevation have on this? I live in the Mtn.s of VA. My
> levation is appox. 1400 ft and I live on top of a ridge that has a clear 360
> egree view of the area. There are some ridges in view that are above my
> levation but they are far enough away that they should not be a factor.  I am
> n the process of installing a 72ft free standing (US tower TX-472) crank up
> ith a 10 ft mast. Antenna will be a multiband Hex 20m-6m. The only close
> bsticle (Across the road from my tower) is a Water tank that is 32ft high.
> Thoughts? Advice?
> Wayne C.
> V4L
>
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