[Elecraft] Salt Water Verticals

[Tom Meier]

I've used vertically polarized antennas next to salt water for a number of
trips with great results.  If you can't get the antenna right next to the
salt water ground plane, get it high enough that the vertical can "see" the
salt water.  Something that works extremely well is a *pair *of Sigma 5s.
Feed one of them with 50 ohm coax and short the feed line on the second one
so it becomes a parasitic reflector.  Spacing isn't especially critical, and
about nine feet works well as a compromise for 20 - 10 meters.  Don't forget
that the reflector needs to be switched also so that the reflector also
stays resonant on the band selected.  Total weight: about 14 pounds.  No
part is over two feet in length (i.e. it packs in a suitcase).  About 8.5
dBi gain at that wonderful 10 degree take-off angle.

73 de Tom (K7ZZ)