[TowerTalk] Looking for recommendations for an 80 M DX antenna

[Jim Brown]

On 12/4/2021 9:43 AM, Don Solberg wrote:
> I would welcome any recommendations and experiences.

I have a similar situation, in a redwood forest. Dense forests like ours 
soak up vertically polarized RF, so verticals are a bad idea for us. My 
only verticals are for 160M, where any horizontal antenna would be VERY 
low electrically, and thus a cloud warmer.

I've studied this situation extensively, and I strongly recommend the 
highest flat dipole(s) you can rig at right angles to each other and fed 
with RG11.

Equally important, concentrate on HEARING the DX. First, work on 
cleaning up your RF noise -- that in your own home and, if possible, 
from your neighbors. Study http://k9yc.com/KillingReceiveNoise.pdf and 
utilize what you learn.  The average home includes dozens of nasty noise 
sources, which must be searched out and killed. I run legal limit on FT8 
on 6M and 160, and I regularly get signal reports that are 10 dB worse 
than I give. Since FT8 reports are all about signal to noise, this makes 
clear that the average ham is DEAF. If we can't hear 'em, we can't work 'em!

Second, work on RX antennas. Beverages are great if you have room. 
Single wires of about 275 ft are ideal for 80M, but shorter ones will 
still work, and are easy and cheap to build. I support mine both with 
laying them on brush and with sections of 1/2-in PVC conduit slipped 
over sections of 1/4-in rebar stuck into the ground. I have two 
reversible Beverages using DX Eng electronics, one to EU/VK and the 
other to JA/SA (I'm near San Francisco).

And last, work contests. It's a great way to get a head start on DXCC. I 
have 224 confirmed on 80 in 15 years from this QTH.

73, Jim K9YC