[TowerTalk] Cost effectivel Tower height

Thu Dec 15 10:57:07 PST 2011

I looked over on Amazon.com for the latest ARRL Antenna Book, so I can get a copy of HFTA to run the numbers for my QTH. They usually have much better prices than the ARRL site. I recently ordered their Tower Book, since the ham stores were out of stock at all locations when I checked, and picked it up from Amazon at a very reduced price with free shipping.

But looking for the antenna book, I see that they have a copy of it for $999.99, plus shipping! 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ARRL+Antenna+Book

I wonder how many copies they've sold? Maybe to unsuspecting XYLs getting Christmas gifts for the OM......

LJ

-----Original Message-----
>From: Andreas Hofmann <Andreas.Hofmann at microsoft.com>
>Sent: Dec 14, 2011 11:13 PM
>To: "[TowerTalk]" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cost effectivel Tower height
>
>Hi
>I want to thank everyone on this alias to suggest running HFTA.  I spent and couple of hours tonight and now realized  that this was a very valuable exercise. Since I promised to report back some findings here it is:
>
>I got a couple of directions with slopes. My slope to Europe especially is a very even 300 feet drop off over the first 2500 feet.  This seems to be working extremely well. To Europe as an example, I can get up to a 11 dbi gain at 4 degrees elevation angle on 40 with 2 el. Yagi at 55 feet.  On flat ground that same antenna at that height would perform 15 dbi lower (-4).  
>If I switch to a 3 el yagi at 55 feet on 20 m, I seem to even max out at 16 dbi at 3 degrees elevation. Almost too good to be true.   
>
>
>Summary:
>Unless I am doing something wrong with HFTA, in my case there is no need at all to go above 55 feet (size of a small tubular crank up mast).  Remember my goals from below, no huge expenditure and good DX setup 40 and up.
>
>Thanks
>Andreas
>KU7T
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Andreas Hofmann
>Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 10:47 AM
>To: Joe Subich, W4TV; Drax Felton; [TowerTalk]
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cost effectivel Tower height
>
>I have received an overwhelming response to my questions.  I should have mentioned a few more points/requirements:
>
>- single multiband beam 40 - 10. No stacks. I am running verticals and wires hanging in trees and can hear ok, but are not being heard well on 40 for example.   I want at least a few S units improvement and F/B would be great as well.
>- I like DX and DX contesting, but casually.    Focus on Europe.
>- self supporting, no guy wires
>- low profile to appease to wife and neighbors
>- cheap. This is a hobby for me and I am not retired (:-)
>- account for the sloping terrain, so if it can be lower because of it, yes, yes, hence cheaper.
>
>I understand that any multi-band beam is a compromise.
>I understand that any beam might not work to its maximum into all DX directions (different angles needed).
>
>At this point, I want to thank all of you for your input. I will run the suggested software and report back with my findings.
>
>Thanks
>Andreas
>KU7T
>
>
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