[Antennas] b&w folded dipole

Fri, 5 Apr 2002 11:21:24 -0500 (EST)

 Hi All:

I agree totally with Mike . . . even on the firehose comment. The only thing that seems to stir up controversy is when someone tries to make a point about relative effectiveness.  So if I have a B&W broadband folded dipole, I don't want to hear that it might not be the best antenna I could have gotten for my needs. What a clinical psychologist would refer to as cognitive dissidence; i.e., once you make a decision [a purchase in this case], you continue justifying why it was the best thing you could have possible done.

Let me share a recent experience with you.  I have a friend who was new to ham radio and didn't have the benefit of this User Group.  He got his General and rushed out and purchased a Cushcraft R-7000 because it looked neat, took up little space, didn't require radials and would allow him to go on 40-10 meters.  We [a small net] talked for over a year on 40 meters each night with him and we would give him a hard time about spending $400 to put up an antenna that was not as good as a dipole costing around $10 [for 40 meters].  He told us about all the DX he worked with the R-7000, but this really failed respond to the question of relative effectiveness.  He didn't want to hear this since he had already purchased the antenna, but finally strung up a reference dipole for 40 meters to see for himself.

After using this antenna for a few weeks and to his credit, he acknowledged that it was 1.5 - 2.0 "S" units better receiving and transmitting on 40 meters when compared to his R-7000 [he overcame his cognitive dissidence].  We are currently trying to get him to invest in a tuner to make similiar comparisons on the other bands.  Stay tuned.

Now he had worked alot of DX with the R-7000, so this story doesn't take away for the fact that the R-7000 does work.  It's just that it doesn't work as well [in his case] than a simple wire antenna.  No offense meant to those who own an R-7000 or a B&W Broadband Folded Dipole, just a relative comprison for those who might be considering the purchase of an antenna.  

So, the moral of this story is that if you don't have the room to put up a wire antenna or want all band capability (40-10 meters), the R-7000 or the B&W Folded Dipole will work and having read this User Group comments, you will have made an informed decision based on an understanding of their relative performance.

You see Mike, when we can discuss such questions with an open mind, there is no need for fire hoses.

Ron W7MRR

--- On Fri 04/05, Michael P. Olbrisch  wrote:
> Oh-boy.  Here we go again.
>
> I have one.  It is not as good as a single band antenna
> on any one band.
>
> BUT IT DOES WORK.... as you have found out.  You are
> in for a $hit-storm of controversy... this one always
> stirs them up.
>
> If you are looking for the last fraction of a dB, then look at
> something else.
>
> If you want to work a multitude of frequencies, including
> MARS, on one feedline.... this will do it.
>
> Fire hoses ready.
>
> Mike.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [email protected]
> > [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of edyeary
> > Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 12:32 AM
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: [Antennas] b&w folded dipole
> >
> >
> > While on the subject of B&W how about some opinions on their
> > 1.8 thru 30 folded dipole.
> - - -
>
> Your moderator for this list is:
> Larry Wilson KE1HZ [email protected]
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> Antennas mailing list
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> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/antennas
>

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