[Antennas] opinions please

[Mike McCarthy, W1NR]

Ken Snipes wrote:
>
> I'd like to ask a question here, get some opinions , before I make a 
> choice on what I'm going to try.
>
> If you had a acre of land , full of trees all around, what type of 
> antenna would you put up for HF?
>
> I'm looking forward to my GENERAL upgrade here shortly, and want to 
> get ideas on what type of antennas I want to put up this spring...
>
> I've gotten some ideas on some dipoles and such after reading the mail 
> in here for a while, but I really want to know what YOU would do if 
> you were me, and had to do it all over again...
>
> I'm not looking to spend a fortune, so don't hit me with 100ft 
> towers....lol...
>
> Thanks for your help
> 73s
> Ken
>
>
Wires.  Wires and more Wires.  Get copies of ARRL's Wire Antenna 
Classics and More Wire Antenna Classics.  First I would start with a 
couple of dipoles.  Then some simple wire beams.  The above mentioned 
books include a 3 element wire beam hung from a dipole.  Delta loops 
work better than dipoles, so you may want to consider them instead of 
dipoles.  Phased delta loops at a reasonable height above ground will 
give nice low angle of radiation for performance near that of a beam 
that is much higher.  Antennas that are direction switchable facing 
NNE/SSW will cover 90% of your contacts.

A tribander on a 9' Glen Martin rooftop mount would also give a 
reasonable signal at a reasonable price, but more than simple wire 
arrays.  Be aware that the coax you will need will cost a pretty penny 
these days.