[80m] 4 square

Sun, 6 Jan 2002 14:11:36 -0600

Propagationally speaking, I don't think 75 and 80 are two separate bands (I
don't see how they could be).  Unfortunately, it's not unusual to see ssb
activity and no cw activity...10 meters is frequently that way.  And, yes,
there is a huge difference between my QTH in Iowa and the Easy (excuse me),
East coast.  Nevertheless, it's still a kick to sometimes bust through the
east coast pileups with the 4 square.

73...Dave
W0FLS

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of Paul Playford
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 11:54 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [80m] 4 square

I am using a 4 square with 4 elevated radials on each element and it works
great!  The feed point (and radials) are about 9 feet above the ground so it
is easy to walk under them.

I use 3" irrigation pipe for the bottom 30 feet of each vertical element and
taper down from there up to 67 feet +/-.  Each element is guyed at 4 levels
to keep our 80mph winds from destroying the array.

I also have a 4 square on 40m and when I first installed it I ground mounted
it and buried the radials.  I never was happy with it and was just about
ready to discard it when I moved to a new location and tried the elevated
radials.  It is my opinion that elevated radials are the only way to go.

I have convinced myself that the reason that am broadcasters use buried
radials is that they want their signal to stay in the ground for local
communications.  As DXers we want our signals in the air, but close to the
ground.  Hence, elevated radials.

80m propagation is a study in itself.  I often hear EU on 75m ssb but the
80m band is still dead.  And I have concluded that they are two seperate
bands!  It does get rather discouraging to listen to the East coast USA
working EU using a dummy load and running QRP and I cannot work them with my
4sq and 1500 watts (from Arizona), but then that makes me rare DX for EU.  I
used to think that they just could not hear me but occassionally I see
myself spotted in EU so it (doesn't) works both ways.

By the way, I still need zone 40 on 80m for my 5BWAZ.  When the auroral oval
recedes in a couple of years.....

You'll love the instant direction switching of a 4 square.

de Paul, W8AEF

----- Original Message -----
From: PY2YP <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 8:45 AM
Subject: [80m] 4 square

> Hello All,
>
> Has anybody here using 4 square? I'm working on my own and

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