[Elecraft] Skunks and Antennas (WAS:] WA3WSJ's EPA Skunk Works Site - Check it out!)

[Walt Armour]

Well, I'm in Beaverton so try to keep the big cats out west.  I'll just
watch for the local raccoons here.  :)

On the antenna though, I don't think the tree is feasible due to
location.  The ridge line (on some poles for a touch more height) is
quite doable and could easily feed into where my radio will one day be.
However, I'm a little concerned about the signal going too vertical and
having a bad angle on the horizon.

Should I be considering a vertical antenna if I really want to DX?

New guy here so please correct any bad assumptions I'm making...

Walt, KE7GWZ

On Fri, 2006-04-07 at 18:07 -0700, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> Walt KE7GWZ wrote:
> 
> On topic, I haven't made or put up any antennas yet.  :)  I imagine when I
> do I'll have some stinkers as well.  I'm thinking about a dipole running the
> ridge of my house.  I could hit a half-wave for 40 meters. Then there are
> those really tall fir trees in the front yard...
> 
> -----------------
> 
> Both of those will work. Feed that 66 foot wire with good open wire line and
> you can get out well on 80 too. 
> 
> I always go for the option that puts the radiator as much in the clear and
> away from objects as possible. Some cheap balloons from the party supply
> will get a wire into those trees - just use two people, one on either side
> of the tree on a calm morning until it's over the best spot, then one person
> pulls down while the other plays out very lightweight thread, followed by
> heavier thread, followed by string, followed by rope...
> 
> Fitting the subject, I do antenna work only in the daytimes here on the edge
> of the Gayles Creek wetlands in Forest Grove, Oregon, ever since the night I
> was out stringing some wire and stepped over a cat roaming the yard. A few
> minutes later I got a better look a the "cat" from the ladder and saw the
> stripes. Glad I didn't startle it. I keep the garage door closed at night
> too. The fastest way to ruin a morning is to start the car and scare a pole
> cat snoozing under it, keeping warm.  
> 
> Ron AC7AC
> 
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