[Antennas] Vertical

[Bob Nielsen]

On Thu, Nov 20, 2003 at 09:05:59AM -0800, Jim Lindberg wrote:
> I am wondering if anyone one the list has had any luck using one of the
> better known verticals such as Butternut, Gap, Cushcraft  ect without
> radials? I have a tower I can crank up to about 40 feet but no room for
> radials. I have a autotuner for my ham radio but I also want to use it
> for SWLING.

I have a Hy-Gain AV-640 on a 15 ft. mast with no radials.  It is
quite similar to the Cushcraft R-8, but no traps.  There is no magic
happening (although it seems to be necessary in ads for Gap, which is
why I didn't consider their products), but the performance exceeds my
expectations, with contacts in EU, AS and AF on all bands from 40 to
10.  With a tuner, I have made contacts up to 1500 miles on 80 and 160,
as well.

Years ago I had a Hy-Gain 14AVQ and wasn't too impressed with it, even
with elevated radials.

However, with a 40 foot tower, you would certainly have better
performance with a yagi or quad.  The tunability of the SteppIR is
particularly suitable for SWLing, WARC bands, etc.

73,
Bob, N7XY