[TowerTalk] 80 Meter Delta Loop

[kq2m at kq2m.com]

John,

See my post to Jim which describes the land on my qth.  I assure you 
that the "ground" is not better
than I think, but the hilltop undoubtedly helps in some directions.

The beamwidth is decent for a 4-square with 1/4 wavelength spacing, but 
it is even better for
3/16 wavelength spacing between the elements.  I did all my plotting 
decades ago on
Brian Beezley's excellent program AO program (DOS-based).  The biggest 
difference between
the 1/4 and 3/16 spacing is at the extreme ends of both sides of the 
main lobe,
more than 45 degrees from the center.  You really notice the sharp 
dropoff between 45- 60 degrees
from the center of the lobe on the 4-square with 1/4 wavelength spacing 
and not nearly as
much with the 3/16 wavelength spacing.  With the center of the lobe at 
45 degrees, that means that I get
better coverage into Africa and UA0, both of which are useful 
directions.  Likewise, when aiming SW, I get
better coverage into SA and VK.  I hear more "stuff" off the sides of 
the antenna that I might otherwise
miss.  It's worked well for me but others might prefer a narrower 
pattern.

Bob, KQ2M

On 2024-07-24 16:44, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> What makes you believe that you have a poor ground?  A vertical array 
> with
> an elevated counterpoise is still ground dependent so it if works well 
> for
> you perhaps your ground is better than you think!
> 
> It has been a while since I looked at a standard 4 square model but I 
> seem
> to recall the beamwidth was pretty large.  It would be interesting to
> overlay a pattern with closer 3/16 wl spacing and see what difference 
> there
> is 45° from the main direction.  Their may not be much difference in 
> that
> direction.
> 
> 
> John KK9A
> 
> 
> 
> kq2m wrote:
> 
> One antenna that does work well even over poor ground is a 4-square 
> with
> elevated radials, preferably above .05 wavelength in height.  In my 
> case
> I changed to a different design - instead of orienting the elements in 
> a
> 1/4 wavelength "box", I use custom designed 3/16 wavelength spacing to
> give a broader pattern which allows me to better hear/work ZS, Southern
> Africa and UA0 when pointed at Europe.
> 
> 73
> 
> Bob, KQ2M
> 
> 
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