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Re: [TenTec] Help Selecting a Directional Antenna

To: <dock0evz@earthlink.net>, "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Help Selecting a Directional Antenna
From: "Ron Castro" <ronc@sonic.net>
Reply-to: Ron Castro <ronc@sonic.net>, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:18:13 -0700
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
I would have to agree with those who mentioned the StepIR antennas. I don't have one yet, but the research I have done indicates that it's a good compromise between mono-banders on each band, interlaced beams and various other schemes if you want true multi-band coverage. They have a 3-element unit that can be ordered with a linear loaded, motor controlled 40/30 meter element to give all-band coverage on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 with one feedline, one boom, one tower and 1:1 SWR on all frequencies except 30 meters where it's around 1.7:1.

A local ham here who is on the DXCC Honor Roll bought a 4-element 20-6 version several months ago and has been extremely happy with it. Our club used a 4-element StepIR and the massive MonstIR on Field Day and we believe that we will come out #1 or #2 nationally in the very competitive 2A class. I hear more StepIR's on the air now than any other antenna.

I have been planning my "retirement" antenna system which, if it ever happens, will have 4-element StepIR's at 45' and 90', a MonstIR at 135' and a 2-element Force 12 for 75/80 at 145' on a rotating Rohn 65 tower. A pipe dream at this point, but maybe someday....

Ron N6AHA

----- Original Message ----- From: "W.D. (Doc) Lindsey" <dock0evz@earthlink.net> To: "QRP-L Reflector" <qrp-l@mailman.qth.net>; "Ten Tec Reflector" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 7:22 AM
Subject: [TenTec] Help Selecting a Directional Antenna


Dear Gang:

Well I am finally ready to buy and install a directional antenna for at
least the higher HF bands. Been a ham now for 46 years, but have only used
wire antennas (dipoles, inverted vees, wire ground planes, long wires. For
5 years I had a 560' horizontal loop up 33 feet suspended by wooden
telephone poles in North Dokata. All of the antennas worked after a
fashion, and sometimes surprisingly good results were obtained.

I have also used GAP Titans in two QTH's with excellent results overall. I
may put up here in central New Mexican, as well. BUT I right now to put up
a yagi of some sort, for at least 20M - 10M. Maybe including 6 M as well.

There are no covenants or restricts here, and our asl is close 7000, so
maybe the yagi would not to have a very tall metal tower. ANYWAY, what
suggestions do you have. And fire away, because I honestly know practically
zilch. There are some excellent fellow QRPers nearby who would make their
expertise and strength available.

So what effective, durable antenna system you might recommend? I will
happily receive all suggestions and put them into the mix. Thanks in
advance for any help you might offer.

73,
---Doc/K0EVZ

PS I would be willing to call some of you, on my dime, to get this process
underway. Lately I have missed several DX stations, apparently due to low
power on my end. And conditions of course have their own challenges.

W.D. (Doc) Lindsey
dock0evz@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.


W.D. (Doc) Lindsey
dock0evz@earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.


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