[Antennas] RE: Vertical antenna (14AVQ)

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 03:26:09 -0500

I second Barry on all accounts.  I use my 14AVQ as a portable antenna for
Field Day, etc., taking it apart for ease in transport.  The black vinyl
tape has mended my trap caps as well as marking the joints to ensure they
are reassembled to the correct lengths.  I generally mount it on top of
the traditional 10' pole (Radio Shack) held in place by a 3' tripod and
using the radials as guys.  I have also mounted it on an upright of a
chain-link fence with good success.

Dave          W9LYA
What wrought doG hath?

On Fri, 20 Sep 2002 01:45:06 -0400 "Barry L. Ornitz" <[email protected]>
writes:
> Chris Bonde, VE7HCB, asked:
> 
> > To all those who suggested that the antenna that I had 
> > given to me was a HyGain 14AVQ/WB were right on.
> 
> > The original owner found the book.  However, he lost the 
> > top cap {sic - capacity hat}.  The documentation does not 
> > appear  to have the dimension of the three spokes forming 
> > the top hat.  They look like a piece of wire with a loop 
> > to put over the top, one above each other, and space each 
> > out > 120 degrees.  I have some Al wire that I can bend 
> > but was wondering what length?
> 
> I just measured mine.  From the loop to the end, they are 
> 10 inches.  A guess would be about 12 Gauge.  Hard-drawn 
> aluminum ground wire or welding rod would be suitable.  I 
> always put galvanized internal star lock washers between 
> each loop and the screw holding them to insure good 
> contact.
> 
> As George, W5YR, noted, they are not very critical.  They 
> add a little top loading to the antenna.  Since you have to 
> slide the top section of tubing in or out of the top trap a 
> little to tune the antenna on 40 meters, a slight change in 
> capacity hat just means a small change in this tuning.  If 
> you find the antenna will not tune low enough in the band, 
> the capacity hat wires can be lengthened a little.
> 
> Typically you would start tuning the antenna on 10 meters, 
> adjusting the length of the section below the first 
> (lowest) trap for the part of the band you operate in.  
> Then go to 15 meters and adjust the section between the 
> first and second trap.  Repeat on 20 meters with the 
> section between the second and third trap.  Finally tune 
> the length of the top section for your favorite spot on 40 
> meters.  There is often some interaction so you may have to 
> repeat this procedure for optimum results.
> 
> As others have noted, there were huge numbers of these 
> antennas sold.  One of the black polyethylene insulating 
> caps over one of the traps cracked on my unit.  I just 
> wrapped it with black, stretchy vinyl electrical tape and 
> sprayed it with clear Krylon.  It continues to work fine.
> 
>         73,  Barry     WA4VZQ     [email protected]
> 
> - - - 
> 
> Your moderator for this list is:
> Larry Wilson KE1HZ [email protected]
> _______________________________________________
> Antennas mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/antennas
> 
> 