[Elecraft] Antenna choices

[Bill Coleman]

On May 25, 2014, at 8:31 PM, Joshua Gould <jg.k8wxa at gmail.com> wrote:

> I am going to be acquiring a 56 foot Rohn BX tower.  I already have a G5RV
> that I am planning on putting up (still not sure where I'm going to attach
> the other end of it to, One end will go on the tower.) I'm going to put up
> a 2m/440 vertical at some point up near the top of the tower.  I keep
> throwing around an HF vertical or a beam.  The verticals seem to cover more
> bands, but the beams are directional.  (Would also need a rotor,..
> 
> Can a multi band yagi be tuned to a different band, or will it only work on
> the bands that it's designed for?

I would not use a multi-band yagi on a band it was not designed for.

That said, I would recommend you put a tribander yagi on the top of that tower. You can then hang dipoles for the WARC bands, as well as for 40/80m. 

You also might consider shunt-feeding the tower for 160/80m.

I have an article on my blog on how I support 9 bands from one 50 foot tower:

- A3S/A743 - supports 10/15/20m, and the dipole attachment for 40m. (http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com/2009/07/cushcraft-a3sa743.html)
- homebrew trap dipole supports 12/17/30m. (http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com/2010/02/warc-trap-dipole.html)
- Shunt feed with matching network supports 80/160m. (http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com/2009/04/shunt-feeding-short-tower-on-80-and.html)

And here’s an article where I talk about the experience of using a tribander:
http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com/2009/03/tribander-experience.html



Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at mac.com
Quote: "Boot, you transistorized tormentor! Boot!"
         -- Archibald Asparagus, VeggieTales

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
           -- Wilbur Wright, 1901