[Elecraft] Verticals

[mbyrd22 at tampabay.rr.com]

Good Day,

I am currently using a modified Cushcraft R8 with my Elecraft K1. I had never considered a vertical before the R8 and this was a compromise with my neighbors. Originally I had a dipole but that was only for 40 meters. I bought the R8 with the idea of multiple bands without a tuner. Because of restrictions here, I was only allowed one antenna. I did a series of comparisons between the dipole and vertical. The dipole was much quieter with the vertical being quite noisy. With the noise on the vertical also came a lot of DX I couldn't hear on the dipole. This was not a very scientific comparison but it satisfied me. The dipole came down and the vertical went up on the roof.

With the R8 I have worked other QRP stations with similar antennas on every continent. This only shows if conditions allow, you can work into anywhere. 

I do agree about the vertical being a compromise as a single element. It will do a great job laying down a signal at low angles which sometimes gives you an advantage. This all depends on your installation and ground losses. I would still prefer to have a phased array of verticals than have a beam on a tower. This is opposite of my opinion twenty years ago. 

Mike, AC4UR
http://sunbyrdpress.blogspot.com