[CTSARA] [GNARC] Antenna Question

[George Flay]

NO.

(The verbose answer follows.)
Throwing all caution to the wind, I'll jump in here.
I cannot wait to hear from the many, other, more qualified, readers of this
discussion.
For starters, I'm very certain that Tom has an answer in his pocket...  as
he posed his question.

Resonant Antennas, cut for a specific frequency are always the most
efficient choice. At resonance, they 'Ring like a Bell.'
But we Hams want to operate over a wide range of Bands.
Even a simple, single band dipole can be tweaked to favor either the CW or
the PHONE end of the design band.

With Multi-Band antennas we have a compromise.
Essentially both the ZEPP & the WINDOM antennas are multi-band, non
resonant, or NotVeryResonant, long wire, antennas.
It is interesting how physics operates regardless of metaphorical
adjectives.

The fact that they are both OFF CENTER FED intimates that some impedance
matching is being done by the selection of the 'feed point.' and the usable
BAND is determined by the lengths of the elements.
Antenna "B", Mr WINDOM, is being called upon to operate over a more
extended frequency range.
Mr ZEPP has his own 'hang ups.'

Both use a 4:1 Balun for impedance matching, so the primary difference is
the 'Feed Line.'
This is similar to a Beauty Contest, isn't it?

 'Commercial Window' & 'Open Wire' have significantly less line loss than
coax.
Antenna tuners would be advantageous to these antennas.
So,  I am reminded of the famous gun fighter, Wyatt Earp; because
ultimately, all these parameters are working to maximize  "Effective
Radiated Power" and minimize losses.

I would go with the either the Open Wire or the Window, and use a Balanced
Tuner, with my Balun close to the shack.
(I presume this is what Tom referred to by saying "near the Window Entry
Point," )
Now if only I had a few 70 foot tall, sparsely exfoliated, trees and
sufficient real estate...

73

George - AB1QK
Saying "hello" to Sara!







On Tue, Jun 28, 2016 at 2:13 PM, Tom Alessi <tom at k1ta.com> wrote:

> I have a general antenna question.  Actually I am looking for opinions and
> I know there are people in the club with more antenna knowledge.  So here
> it is:
>
> QUESTION:
>
> Which antenna would work better on 80m - 10m ?
>
> A.  Off Center Fed Zepp (Fed with Ladder line with 4:1 balun near the
> window entry point)
>
> B.  Windom (OCF 80-6m with 4:1 Balun at the antenna, fed with RG-8X)
>
> I have the Zepp and I am considering changing it out with a Windom... Is it
> worth changing???
>
> Tom Alessi
> Tom at K1TA.com  |  www.K1TA.com
> C: (203) 253-7745 | O: (914) 231-1691 | F: (914) 813-4091
> *"CW Forever !"* Look for me on 20m, 30m or 40m CW
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