[TowerTalk] Force 12 20M Monobander

[Wayne Kline]

Playing  with antennas, and tweaking there design  are  one of the  facets that many of us enjoy in this Hobby
or as my wife says Sickness !
 
    I  would also  like to see a  apple to apple  comparisons of available Mono band antennas.
A daunting task for sure.   Most of us  just stuck examining   the designing   and tweaking antennas  
With  software  !   
 
Dean Straw  N6BV among others over the years had tweaked the famed  and popular Hi Gain monoband antennas.
W2PV had a enlightening  papers on yagi antennas, with the famous PV4  ...
Tom Schiller N6BT and the F-12 shed more light on in fully insulated elements, ( Cell design ) and wide band 50 OHM
 feed impedance.  His Book Array of light is a Must read IMO ( thanks K9RS for the hint ).
Then  reading WA3FET's papers another must read .  Last but not least 
Justen Johnson  G0KSC   with his website and  info on OWA, OWl  LFA antennas.
many of the newer products of F-12 are  a celebrative of his design,
 
  Many of this  info is  for the Roll you own crowd ,  But gives you an incite as to what's  happening and why 
in your own  backyard.
 
 There was a comment about the tried and true  HI Gain 204BA     out of the BOX compered to the newly  developed
computer designed  antennas.   But I am hear to tell you I know of 3 active  contester with a wall full of ARRL and CQ award plaques
both Phone and CW   using these little  compact antennas.... and there Power handling capability  of 1.5 KW
WOW  That's  THE "  legal Limit " and a stack of 2 of these guys   give you a BIG bang for you $
 
 
 Wayne W3EA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 d> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> From: k6uj at pacbell.net
> Date: Thu, 12 May 2016 20:33:06 -0700
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Force 12 20M Monobander
> 
> Russ,
> 
> I agree, another comparison test would be great.  Now we have the OP-Des 
> and other new kids
> on the block to compare that we didnt have back then.
> 
> Bob
> K6UJ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 5/12/16 9:53 AM, Russ Dearmore via TowerTalk wrote:
> > Rick,  Thanks for your comments.  I found the F/B to be much higher than you did so maybe we're talking about different antennas.  The OP-Des design of the Force 12 is probably the reason for better gain and flatter SWR.  I've got more confidence in the 5kw power rating than the 1.5kw of the 204BA since I use a manually tuned amp that wants to go higher than that.  I'll probably keep looking at the new designs rather than the old technology.  In regards to the SteppIR I'm not comfortable with the extra maintenance they are well known for.  Needlessly expensive in the long run.    I also share your skepticism about antenna manufacturer's claims and think it's time for a monobander comparison test like Ward did with the Tri-banders some time back.    Thanks again, Russ  K5ZZR
> >   Peak F/B: 26.12dBPower Rating: 5kwGain: 9.23dBi @ 14.250MHz   My Heroes Wear Combat Boots!
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