[Boatanchors] Storm Damage to Electronics

[D C *Mac* Macdonald]

I suspect that very little elevation from the ground would 
be needed to virtually eliminate any small amount of ground 
current induced from the small amount of radiation power 
existing off the end of a half-wave dipole. 
 
The two sources I mentioned basically were writing about the 
frequencies from 14 MHz and up. A couple of feet above ground 
for the feedpoint at 14 MHz ought to do just fine. 
 
High horizontal dipoles are great if you have the real estate 
and the supports for the ends. Low dipoles have comparatively 
high angles of radiation and much of the radiated power is 
above the optimum angle for distance communications. 
 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 * 
* (Since 30 Nov 53) * 
* Oklahoma City, OK * 
* USAF, Ret (61-81) * 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
 
 
 
 

> Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 18:11:34 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Storm Damage to Electronics
> From: ranchorobbo at gmail.com
> To: k2gkk at hotmail.com
> CC: dfischer at usol.com; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> 
> that might be true if it is elevated quite a bit and on the high bands
> but if the feedpoint is at the earth surface and the antenna is being
> used on lower frequencies especially 80 and 160 there will be return
> currents induced in the earth and a ground system to return them to
> the feedpoint is needed.
> 
> the Titan was my first antenna after becoming active after 18 years
> QRT. I did not know anything and bought the hype. It was a very
> fussy PITA to get working. High dipoles run rings around it and are
> so much easier. If it had been my 3rd or 4th antenna I would have
> twisted it up in impatience and junked it. It was my first one and I
> was determined to make it work and I did eventually. It taught me a
> lot about compromise antennas and self deception regarding
> performance. 20 and 17 are where it works best. The other bands are
> down hill. But I can't get over the sight of all that 8X coax stuffed
> in it.
> 
> For the high bands I just have a half wave dipole for 20 m. up 35 feet
> fed in the center with ladder line and Johnson KW Matchbox. I can get
> a match on 20, 17, 10 and I think maybe 12 but not sure--I have never
> operated that band and actually only use the high band dipole once in
> a while to check into a net on 20 m. I don't even run QRO up
> there--the dipole is good enough.
> 
> 73
> 
> Rob
> K5UJ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 3:08 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > An end (bottom) fed 1/2 wave vertical requires NO radials as
> > the antenna is already complete.