[Elecraft] multiband counterpoise with K1

[Wallace, Andy]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Thom LaCosta [mailto:baltimoremd@baltimoremd.com]

> FWIW, for years I was frustrated with bad locations, RF all over the
> place, etc.....until I made up "The Bundle", a series of 1/4 
> wavelength wires for each band I use.  Taped them all together and 
> stretched it out around the secnd floor of my house.  The antenna is an
end 
> fed wire about 89 feet long, and all of 15 feet high.

Thom, thank you for this idea! I just tried it. My ant is just
a 35' or so random sloping down to a clothesline pole. The rig
is a fair distance away from the window so I use a length of RG8X
to get there. I've got a barrier strip attached to the wall and 
the coax attaches here, with the antenna wire attaching to
the corresponding terminal. So I have the coax shield terminal for a 
counterpoise - in trying a random length of that, it didn't help much.

I made a bundle as you described for my 4-band K1 (40/30/20/15) and 
drooped it down the stairwell. Seems to work. The KAT1 is happy about
it. I'm in MA -- had a ragchew with a guy in NM on 20, and worked LX0LT in
Luxembourg on 40 as well. Bands may seem a little quieter -- perhaps this
helps on receive also. I'll hang it (unfortunately inside) more properly
tonight and keep experimenting. I'll be happy if it reduces TVI, too.

I don't see any references for such a counterpoise in a quick search. If
anyone has pointers, please post them. I am curious how the four different
lengths affect each other, electrically. Should the lengths change? I guess
it would be similar to a fan multiband dipole, except with the elements 
against each other. I used insulated wire, of course!!!!

Before someone suggests -- unfortunately I have no prospects of a better
antenna outside... :-/  Someday!

-Andy