[Antennas] 2 trees 150' apart 60' high

[Jack Painter]

Larry wrote:
> I have 2 pin trees about 150' apart and about 60' tall, about 200 feet
> of #10 insulated stranded wire and 100' of 450 Ohm ladder line.  My
> tuner has a balanced line input and I also have a 1:1 balun handy.  I
> also have 50 and 75 Ohm coax cable.
>
> I am looking for all band operation, but with the way bands are now I
> probably should concentrate on 75-20 Meters.
>
> My thought is 150' dipole fed by ladder line to the tuner is the best
> use of the space.
> Would a 125' 75 Meter dipole with the balun at the feed point and coax
> feed be a better choice?
> I had a G5RV up for many years but one leg broke about a foot from an
> end insulator, should I just fix/shorten that antenna and put it back
> up?
>
> Any ideas?

Larry,

That's a long span to support a dipole, but possible.  I have a 60 meter and
75 meter (fan) center-coax-fed dipole with 1:1 current-type balun at the
feedpoint. My span is 115', and dipole length for 60 meters is about 90'.
Your 75 meter dipole would not be anywhere near 125' long, so I'm, not sure
where you came up with the 125' number.

Feeding with ladder-line might help you (with a tuner) for some all-band
capabilities. With at least 1/4 WL elevation, the dipole is an outstanding
performer on it's cut frequency bands. This performance drops off the higher
in frequency you use it, until still workable but not a good performer much
above 20 meters. You can use both standing and running rigging and blocks
(pulleys) to support the heavy Balun and antenna lines. 5/16th or heavier
milspec Dacron (standing rigging to hold the Balun) and lighter lines
(running rigging) to raise and lower the antennas for trimming/tuning.

Be sure to well waterproof and strain-relief the coax connector under the
Balun (if used), and allow for opposite wind/sway of the pine trees by not
pulling the support lines or antennas too taut.  Mine survived a hurricane,
but that means those two pine trees also made it, many did not!

Best regards,

Jack
Virginia Beach, Virginia