[TowerTalk] OCFD: Should I be able to do better?12

[Keith Dutson]

On 5/27/2021 11:21 AM, Keith Dutson wrote:
>  I have three Buckmaster OCF dipoles.  I run 1500 watts, so use RF chokes (Palomar MC-1-3000) under the antenna balun and inside the shack at the amplifier. 

You have been suckered by two incompetent companies.

This results in the auto tuner (Palstar HF Auto) being able to tune all
bands to close to 1:1 VSWR, allowing full 1500 watts output.  Great
results on all bands from 160 to 6 meters.

SWR is NOT a measure of antenna performance. SWR measured in the shack
is simply an indicator of the transmitter's ability to put power onto
the feedline.

The shortcoming of antennas like this is their susceptibility to the RF
noise that surrounds us. These designs may have been fine for 40 years
ago, when noise levels were FAR lower, but they are terrible for TODAY.
They may transmit OK, but they don't hear well because of their
susceptibility to noise. We can't them if we can't hear them!

If you can rig three of these lousy antennas, you can rig resonant
dipoles fed with coax and choked at the feedpoint, as Jim Lux has
described.

Suckered?  What exactly do you mean?
How do you build a better antenna to cover all bands between 160 and 6 meters?  I am waiting for your response.
I have PROVEN the performance of this setup over the past year working CTW every Wednesday.  No problem working all over US, Canada and Europe.
BTW, I have hung the fan dipole made by Alpha Delta.  I was three bands and I did not get better results.
73, Keith NM5G