[Elecraft] OCF antennas

[WILLIS COOKE]

When I got on the air at this QTH in 2006 I installed a Carolina Windom from Radio Works.  It is about 40 feet high and fed with a short piece of RG8X.  I thought it a great antenna and worked some contests and a lot of DX.  Later, I installed a 30 foot vertical with one radial and found it much superior on 40 and 15.  Then I installed a 65 ft tower  with a 3 element SteppIR 30/40 and worked DXCC in 31 days.  Then I installed a 40 and 80 inverted Vee fed with a common coax.  Then I installed an Inverted L with an 80 meter trap for 80 and 160.  The Carolina Windom is still up, but it is not the preferred antenna for any band at any distance.  I find that the OCF is the best antenna only if it is your only antenna, but I have not compared it to a Buddy Pole.
 
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart


________________________________
 From: Bill <bill at w2blc.net>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Friday, March 9, 2012 3:50 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OCF antennas
 
I have found the easiest single antenna to utilize is the OCF - it is 
coax fed, making easy routing of the feedline. The K3's ATU handles it 
fine (as does my TS-480 SAT).

Dimensions for the version I use:  88' on one leg and 44 ' on the other 
leg. For a center insulator/balun I use the 
http://www.balundesigns.com/servlet/the-75/OCF-balun-4-cln-1/Detail   I 
use #12 stranded insulated wire (not house wire) available from any of 
several ham distributors.

Works FB for what I do with it, which is mostly rag chew on 40 and 75 
SSB. However, I have used on the higher bands with good success also. 
The pattern does get somewhat directional as you move up from the 
primary design frequency. If you have room for a couple of them at right 
angles - that might be of an advantage.

Bill W2BLC
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