[80m] Elevated radials for 80M

Wed, 2 Oct 2002 16:27:19 -0700

Ain't it the truth, Merv. Just when we think we're happy...we find something
new to do, or add.
I've gone through so many rigs in the past five years....each one I tell the
XYL "this is the best one ever". Let's see...Omni 6+, FT-990, IC-761,
IC-775, IC-781, and now...my favorite of all (really) the Yeasu FT-1000D.
I've had this one two years, and it IS by far the best rig I have ever
owned. The dual receive is something to behold!

73 again and best DX (on 80)

Bill, K7ZM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Merv Stump" <[email protected]>
To: "Bill Sawders" <[email protected]>; "Bill Fisher, W4AN"
<[email protected]>; "Stan Dicks" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2002 3:50 PM
Subject: Re: [80m] Elevated radials for 80M

> I have to agree with Bill on all counts.  My story is pretty much the
same.
> Started with 1 vertical with 30 radials, grew to 2 verticals,  and
> eventually 4 verticals with 60 radials under each.  Tried elevated radials
> along the way, but was just never happy with them.  In so far as possible
I
> tried to make the radials 1/4 wave length long and run them straight.  But
> many are shorter, some are longer and many are not straight.
Incidentally,
> most of my radials are made of coax (the surplus man said I'll sell you
> what's left on all those spools for $3 a spool - ended up costing me about
> 1/2 cent per foot)  My verticals are #12 insulated wire pulled up in the
> four trees that were the closest to the corners of a 65 foot square.
>
> Did make one significant change and ran with it all last year.  Had Jim
> Miller make me a ComTek box with -120/-240 degree phasing instead
> of -90/-180.  Models indicate approximately 0.5db improvement in gain,
about
> a 5db improvement in front to back, and about a 10db improvement in front
to
> side.  No way to do an A/B comparison but after running this way all last
> year I believe the models to be accurate.  Incidentally, W8JI confirms
that
> he runs his 160 meter system with -120/-240 degree phasing.
>
> Bottom line, all 4square's work, but some work better than others - I do
> believe ground radials work better than elevated.  The antenna is very
> forgiving, and after fifteen years I still keep thinking of new things to
> try.
>
> Merv, W2OE
>
>
>
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