[Cliffdwellers] re : stealth antennas

[Bruce Muscolino]

Years ago I used an original "Slinky" antenna.  This was made up from
two wire coils about 6 inches in diameter, made up into a dipole.  It
had a fiberglass center insulation and used about a 6 turn choke type
balun made from coax at the feedpoint.  I only used it once, on a
DX-pedition to the Isle of Man.  It worked well.  I would not call any
slinky type antenna, either the original or a recent version a stealth
antenna.  To begin with it will be too obvious!

I have a lot of experience with stealth antennas.  I wrote an article
for QST back in June 1995 that described a stealth antenna that I had
been using for 189 tears.  I have worked all states and DXCC with this
set up.  It is simply an end fed short wire.  The major issue there was
the ability to put it up quickly to avoid detection by neighbors.  

I would suggest that you do a little studying on the subject of
antennas.  Look and see what parameters affect them.  Most stealth type
installations will take advantage of the environment that the antenna is
going to be used in.  There is no universal type that will perform well
under all circumstances.   Careful consideration of the environment will
let you install an antenna that will work well FOR YOU!

73