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[TowerTalk] Cost effectivel Tower height

To: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cost effectivel Tower height
From: Drax Felton <draxfelton@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 11:53:33 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Isn't the a half wave high tower the general rule of thumb for a decent dx 
angle?

After 60ft (1/2 wave on 20m) you need more guys with Rohn  25 and the work 
difficulty starts increasing rapidly.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 1, 2011, at 12:31 AM, towertalk-request@contesting.com wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Determine cost-effective tower height (Andreas Hofmann)
>   2. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Jim Lux)
>   3. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Dick Dievendorff)
>   4. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Gene Fuller)
>   5. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Dick Dievendorff)
>   6. FW:  Determine cost-effective tower height (km5vi)
>   7. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Jim Lux)
>   8. top loaded vertical radial length (LY2KZ)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:47:46 +0000
> From: Andreas Hofmann <Andreas.Hofmann@microsoft.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> To: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:
>    
> <A9B46A478518064C8E335B938C8768840EBE9F66@TK5EX14MBXC288.redmond.corp.microsoft.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air. Thinking 
> about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my property slopes 
> pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a proper 
> tower height without breaking the bank.
> 
> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the 
> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of mine 
> did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that a 55 
> foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.   Hence he 
> put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the program he 
> used.
> 
> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a tower 
> that would work well here?
> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal roof 
> (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
> 
> Thanks
> Andreas
> KU7T
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:59:54 -0800
> From: Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Message-ID: <4ED6D18A.10405@earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>> Hi,
>> 
>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air. Thinking 
>> about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my property slopes 
>> pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a proper 
>> tower height without breaking the bank.
>> 
>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the 
>> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of 
>> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that a 
>> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.   Hence 
>> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the program 
>> he used.
>> 
>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a tower 
>> that would work well here?
>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal roof 
>> (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>> 
>> Thanks
>> Andreas
>> KU7T
>> 
> 
> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you 
> want.  You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM 
> files, etc.) and it calculates the pattern.
> 
> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:25:50 -0800
> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> To: "'Jim Lux'" <jimlux@earthlink.net>,    <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <001b01ccafc8$29967cf0$7cc376d0$@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="US-ASCII"
> 
> I think HFTA is by Dean Straw, N6BV.  In any case, it's the program you want
> for this.  Ward edited the new Antenna Book, and included Dean's programs.
> 
> Dick, K6KR
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:00 PM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> 
> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>> Hi,
>> 
>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air.
> Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my property
> slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a
> proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>> 
>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the
> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of
> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that a
> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.   Hence
> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the program
> he used.
>> 
>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a
> tower that would work well here?
>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal
> roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>> 
>> Thanks
>> Andreas
>> KU7T
>> 
> 
> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you want.
> You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM files, etc.)
> and it calculates the pattern.
> 
> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:09:30 -0500
> From: "Gene Fuller" <w2lu@rochester.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> To: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven@comcast.net>,    "'Jim Lux'"
>    <jimlux@earthlink.net>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <E2520ACDBCEE43858C2FEB22186E5240@FamilyRoom>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>    reply-type=original
> 
> Agreed, HFTA is the way to go. ARRL  Antenna Handbook  ed 21 includes the 
> software and instrustrutions you will need. A little hand held GPS will give 
> you your tower location, and a fair bit of determination for the novice, 
> will give you a great picture of what you have to work with.
> Gene / W2LU
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven@comcast.net>
> To: "'Jim Lux'" <jimlux@earthlink.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 8:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> 
> 
>> I think HFTA is by Dean Straw, N6BV.  In any case, it's the program you 
>> want
>> for this.  Ward edited the new Antenna Book, and included Dean's programs.
>> 
>> Dick, K6KR
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
>> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:00 PM
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> 
>> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air.
>> Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my 
>> property
>> slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a
>> proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>> 
>>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the
>> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of
>> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that 
>> a
>> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground. 
>> Hence
>> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the 
>> program
>> he used.
>>> 
>>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a
>> tower that would work well here?
>>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal
>> roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> Andreas
>>> KU7T
>>> 
>> 
>> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you 
>> want.
>> You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM files, etc.)
>> and it calculates the pattern.
>> 
>> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:19:50 -0800
> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> To: "'Gene Fuller'" <w2lu@rochester.rr.com>,    "'Jim Lux'"
>    <jimlux@earthlink.net>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <001801ccafcf$b4a4c4d0$1dee4e70$@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Google Earth is another (free) tool that you can use to determine the
> latitude and longitude of your specific antenna location.
> 
> Dick
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gene Fuller [mailto:w2lu@rochester.rr.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 6:10 PM
> To: Dick Dievendorff; 'Jim Lux'; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> 
> Agreed, HFTA is the way to go. ARRL  Antenna Handbook  ed 21 includes the
> software and instrustrutions you will need. A little hand held GPS will give
> you your tower location, and a fair bit of determination for the novice,
> will give you a great picture of what you have to work with.
> Gene / W2LU
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven@comcast.net>
> To: "'Jim Lux'" <jimlux@earthlink.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 8:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
> 
> 
>> I think HFTA is by Dean Straw, N6BV.  In any case, it's the program you 
>> want
>> for this.  Ward edited the new Antenna Book, and included Dean's programs.
>> 
>> Dick, K6KR
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
>> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:00 PM
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> 
>> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air.
>> Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my 
>> property
>> slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a
>> proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>> 
>>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the
>> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of
>> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that 
>> a
>> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground. 
>> Hence
>> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the 
>> program
>> he used.
>>> 
>>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a
>> tower that would work well here?
>>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal
>> roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> Andreas
>>> KU7T
>>> 
>> 
>> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you 
>> want.
>> You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM files, etc.)
>> and it calculates the pattern.
>> 
>> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ___________
> 
_______________________________________________



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