RE: 80M 1/4 vertical
Depends if you get serious icing in your area. If so, go to the last line
of this posting.
If not, I'd suggest top loading a homemade 1/4 wave vertical for 80M. It
is a compromise but toploading helps the homemade antenna survive better in
the elements.
You can get your aluminum from Texas Towers. I used copper weld wire for my
top loading wires they also acted as part of the guys near the top of the
antenna. Use three.
I got a guy ring from Radio Shack and a hose clamp to attach to the top hat
wires to the antenna but I am not sure if the make the guy rings anymore.
Your radial system and antenna design goes without saying will impact your
needs of a matching device. I'm a big fan of the Amidon UNUN. I can even use
one-
I used this vertical design to build a 4 SQR. It worked very well and each
antenna cost about $450 to build. I did not use a matching device.
After ice destroyed my 4 SQR 5 times in 2 years, I swore I would never put
them up again as I was putting them up again. It was not the fault of the
aluminum. The ice on the guy twine pulled things down. Moral of the story is
there is such a thing as using too many guy ropes and history does repeat
itself to those dumb enough who don't learn from it- I finally gave up on
the
dacron rope and went with bailing twine. Life got better-
If you get serious icing in your area, maybe call WX0B at Array Solutions.
He might still be carrying some amazing self supporting all weather 80M
verticals. If not for the fact I moved, I would have four of them up in the
air at
my old QTH. Live and learn.
.
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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