My primary love has always been the low bands. Six years ago I moved to the
present QTH which is 2.75 acres. . Prior to that I live in the city of Des
Moines, Iowa on a 57 by 155 ft lot. The low band antenna was a Gap-Voyager.
It played good on 40 and earned a certificate in one of the contest as a
single band 40 meter entry, on 80 the first winter I worked 88 countries on
SSB, and in the CQ 160 SSB test I worked 48 states. A lot of people
criticize this antenna on 160 but I was happy with it.
While it is true that the 4 squares for 40, 80, & 160 at this QTH beat the
heck out of the Voyager it was still a decent low band antenna for a small
lot. It was a case of doing the best I could in my opinion within the land
and $$ available.
BTW, since this QTH is not in the desirable direction (i.e., west of town)
but is east of the city it actually cost less than many smaller homes on a
city lot.
73 W0ETC
----- Original Message -----
From: <Dinsterdog@aol.com>
To: <munsonjr@bellatlantic.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2001 15:17
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] What about hams with small lots???
>
> When I first got licensed in 1995, I worked a number of low band countries
> using ground mounted multiband verticals (cushcraft AP8A and Butternut
HV2V)
> sitting on compact ground systems consisiting of 60-90 small radials. My
> backyard was in a subdivision consisting of a 50 by 100 foot lots. I
found
> that the radial system made the difference- I also used an AEA Isoloop to
> work 10-20 meters with good success. I had very little luck with dipoles
and
> other wire antennas hanging off the house. I finally went gangbusters
when I
> put up a TH3JR tribander on a small crank up tower.
>
> I think the rule of 80/20 applies here. 80 percent of hams have the small
> backyard/antenna restriction issues where putting up a tower is tough-.
> Maybe more like 90 percent. While I am very thankful to have the space
and
> antenna systems of array's and beverages that I have now, the hobby would
be
> boring if not for the small backyard hams who make up the great majority
of
> our hobby.
>
> I have to admit that I am much more interested in reading about larger
> antenna systems and tower issues on TT, but I would enjoy reading more on
> home brewed backyard/apartment antenna systems somewhere, if not for more
> here.........and hope that those who have put together decent systems
would
> not be discouraged from sharing thier notes and questions and
acomplishments.
>
>
> 73 Paul N0AH
>
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>
> -----
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>
>
List Sponsored by AN Wireless: AN Wireless handles Rohn tower systems,
Trylon Titan towers, coax, hardline and more. Also check out our self
supporting towers up to 96 feet for under $1500!! http://www.anwireless.com
-----
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