[Elecraft] OT: Small Patio Vertical:

[Julian (G4ILO)]

> Well, Julian, please note that half wave verticals are as efficient as
> horizontal half wave dipoles, and are not to be confused with short
> verticals, or quarter wave verticals where half the antenna is missing 
> or
> made up in the radials or ground plane of somewhat questionable 
> efficiency
> with its close coupling to earth.  Not all verticals are lossy!

You may be right, but a half wave vertical didn't seem like the kind of 
thing Martin was contemplating.

> The MFJ and other small loops suffer from narrow bandwidth, and are some 
> S
> units down in signal from half wave verticals, and even quarter wave
> optimized verticals.

You're right about the narrow bandwidth, but I found the MFJ loop compared 
very favourably with a dipole on the higher bands, and so did QST when they 
reviewed a number of compact antennas several years back. I don't remember 
the issue date now, but ARRL members should be able to get hold of the 
review from the web site.

I don't think there is any advantage in using an antenna with low angle 
radiation when it is located close to buildings, which is the situation in 
any British suburban garden, and probably Martin's patio.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP, K2 #392)
G4ILO's Shack: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo