[Elecraft] cobweb antenna

[Jim Brown]

On 5/30/2013 7:27 PM, Bill Blomgren wrote:
>
> Has anyone tried one of these critters, and if so, is the Elecraft 
> happy with it?

Why BUY an antenna when you can  very easily build one for a lot less 
money that will likely work better?  Here are some articles by hams who 
have done a lot with only a little bit of space. The first is by AC0C, 
who built a complete antenna system in the attic of his apartment!

http://www.kcdxclub.com/Stealth%20Antennas-r1%20-%20AC0C%20-%202-2009.pdf

These two NCCC newsletters include articles by N6NUL about the stealth 
antenna systems he's put together for his townhouse apartment.

http://www.nccc.cc/jug/2013/04Apr2013.pdf

http://www.nccc.cc/jug/2013/05May2013.pdf

These are sophisticated solutions, but much simpler ones are possible.  
Toss a wire into a tree, connect it to the center of the coax connector, 
toss another one on the ground (or wherever you can) and connect it to 
the K3 chassis. You've now got a random wire antenna that will run rings 
around Buddipoles, simply because it's a lot more efficient. Any wire 
from #22 gauge or larger will work fine.

If you CAN put up a beam of some sort, that cobweb thing sounds 
interesting. Also consider a commercial product called a Spider Beam, 
which is a decent antenna.

Antennas like a Buddipole are convenient and compact, but they're not 
very efficient, and are pretty narrow band. To understand why, study the 
chapter on antennas in the ARRL Handbook, and the ARRL Antenna Book.  
Buying and studying those books would be a FAR better way to spend your 
money on antennas.

73, Jim K9YC