[TowerTalk] Vertical Antenna Question

[jimlux]

On 4/8/20 7:23 PM, Gary wrote:
> I used my DX Engineering gift certificate to buy a copy of the "Champion Radio HF Vertical Performance - Test Methods & Results". I really enjoyed the book and learned a lot.
> 
> It looks like a vertical is the only antenna I am going to get in my terraced back yard. Has anyone done a similar look at verticals where they looked at radials vs no radials? There are a lot of claims out there about verticals that work without radials. The above test looked at some of those antennas but they were mounted over a radial field...

any vertical antenna claiming it's "no radials" is either a dipole 
(potentially off center fed) or is using the feedline as a "radial".

A vertical dipole with an auto tuner might be an interesting thing.

I've put up many a vertical with fairly limited "radial fields" - for 
instance, I've got a trapped multiband (6BTV) on a wooden patio cover 
corner, and the radials are wires run along the edges of the patio cover.

I've also done vertical in the corner of the yard, with "radials" 
extending along the property line edges (in one case, next to a iron fence).

It's always a compromise, but you knew that going in.

An autotuner (preferably at the feedpoint) helps a lot

You also need to invest in some 31 mix toroids or clamp ons - choking 
your feedlines is going to be important.