[TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic contests. Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 18

[n8de at thepoint.net]

I haven't read all the responses to this original question.

My suggestion is:  put up a 1/4 wave vertical for the band of  
interest, but DO NOT put in an efficient radial system.

Many have previously noted that the lack of a good radial system  
produces 'too high' a radiation angle ... seems perfect for the stated  
purpose.
73,
Don
N8DE


Quoting Stephen Davis <sdavis at davisrf.com>:

>   I was indicating what my actual results are, regardless  of what   
> software indicates.   Also, if I had looked at software first, I   
> might still have done the NIVIS based on other practical experience   
> noted by others in the research I did. Lastly, without software or   
> others' experience, I still would have tried because my high water   
> table (in the ground) is 2 - 2.5  ft below grade for a few months in  
>  late winter to spring, and otherwise right about 5.5 ft below grade  
>  (tested when required by town for building an addition, we are on   
> wells and septics thus the requirement.)  I only wish I had a way to  
>  add salt to the water  HI.
> Hey, it works well for me, maybe not well for others and I don't   
> disagree with Jim's assessment of the software results.  And again,   
> it is so easy to erect that maybe worth a try where you are.
>
>  Steve    K1PEK
>
>
>
> On Oct 12, 2015, at 12:00 PM, towertalk-request at contesting.com wrote:
>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re: Omnidirectional antenna for domestic contests. TowerTalk
>>      Digest, Vol 154, Issue 16 (Al Kozakiewicz)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:15:42 +0000
>> From: Al Kozakiewicz <akozak at hourglass.com>
>> To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic
>> 	contests. TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 16
>> Message-ID: <1444659342663.92755 at hourglass.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> I'll see your argumentum ab auctoritate and raise you a post hoc   
>> ergo propter hoc and a misleading vividness.
>>
>> Inefficient wasn't the criteria.  Omnidirectionality was.  I have   
>> an 80 meter inverted V hung from the peak of a one story segment of  
>>  my house. The peak is maybe at 16 or 20 feet.
>>
>> Compared to my very narrow banded vertical, it does quite well   
>> during November Sweepstakes, which is the only time it is used.    
>> The horrific loss makes it quite broad banded which I compensate   
>> for by running 1500 watts 8-)
>>
>> I'd call the results "good" if by results we're talking about QSOs   
>> in a contest. On the other hand, if by results you mean ERP at   
>> various radiation angles, probably not so much.
>>
>> Al
>> AB2ZY
>> ________________________________________
>> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Jim  
>>  Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2015 4:08 PM
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Omnidirectional antenna for domestic   
>> contests. TowerTalk Digest, Vol 154, Issue 16
>>
>> On Sun,10/11/2015 12:06 PM, Stephen Davis wrote:
>>> A very easy to put up, with good results to a distance of 400   
>>> miles (at least from here in MA) , omni directional , is a NIVIS.
>>
>> This is VERY wrong. See http://k9yc.com/VertOrHorizontal-Slides.pdf  The
>> major characteristic of the very low dipole you describe is poor
>> efficiency at all vertical angles. The polar plot done by modeling
>> software makes it LOOK like its good at high angles, but it isn't --
>> most of the TX power is lost in the earth.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>
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