[TowerTalk] Stackmatch & a 3 - sloper dipole array ?

[Mike & Coreen Smith VE9AA]

Hello good citizens of the TowerTalk realm.

 

I recently bought 2 Array Solutions StackMatches from a local.

I have one earmarked for future Tribanders, but am considering a 40m THREE
dipole array around a short 48' metal tower topped with yagis above the top.
(dipoles only @ 45-60 degrees from horizon)

 

Has anyone ever done this?  Are unused ports left floating or shorted ? (a
la K1WA / K8UR type of arrays)

 

I am thinking if they are left floating, from here in VE9, I could orient
them NE(EU), SSE(AF/SA/CARIB) and W(USA/VK/ZL/JA) to cover all the bases. 

 

I am sure the patterns regardless would be quite broad.  I know gain would
be quite minimal (cpl dB??) so I am willing to accept that if there is
decent F/B for something like this.  I am primarily a contester, so am
thinking of Euro contests and State QSO parties for F/B and CQWW/ARRL events
for "spraying in 2 or 3 directions" at other times.

 

Again, who's done some 'stacking' of 40m or 80m sloping dipoles using
original A/S stackmatches ?

 

Thanks !

 

Mike VE9AA

P.S.- I do have some experience with stacking of 2 x 6m yagis on the same
rotating mast and more recently, brute force "stacking" (I'll use the term
loosely) (no consideration given to coax line lengths or phasing) a 10m yagi
with a nearby 10m wire ground plane with sometimes pleasantly surprising
results !

 

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB