[Antennas] U-110, rotatable dipole

[k3hx at verizon.net]

I'd stay away from the U-110.  Had a TV antenna business 

'82-'98 in a rural area where cabal (sic intended) TV

was not practical due to many Amish families.  Aside

from their tendency to get out of sych and the annoying

"ka-chunka, chunka, chunka" racket the controller makes,

the U-110 lacks the braking ability to handle the torque moment should the wind catch the dipole.

The dead weight of the antenna is not the problem as

you can either buy or find a mast support bearing

so that the weight is transferred to the mast or

tower leg.  

I suspect the fellow using one with good results on 

his tribander has led a righteous life and is being 

rewarded for staying on the straight and narrow.


As for the rotating dipole, you might try to find a 

used tribander at a hamfest and use one of the 

elements.  I'm using the reflector from a Hy-Gain TH3

with a homebrew fiberglas angle stock center mount-

insulator.  I chose the reflector as I'm a CW guy and 

it was just easier to tune the antenna for the lower

part of the bands using the reflector.

Using a HAM-M to turn it and a 6m and 2m beam.


I find very little difference when rotating the 

antenna.  Were I to do it again, I'd just put up a 

"fan" dipole for 10-15-20 and spare myself the trouble

and expense.

73,

Tim Colbert  K3HX