[Elecraft] OT: Antenna ideas for a cheap ham

[Edward R Cole]

Thanks for the suggestions.

We considered shortening the vertical from 36 to 50 MHz, but there is 
almost no local activity on 6m so probably of more use to him with a 
Tech License as a 10m vertical - just has to add aluminum tubing of 
the correct diameter (the antenna has existing section the slides for 
tuning and uses a metal hose clamp to secure).

Some form of wire dipoles will be added, whether in inverted-V or 
maybe simply sloping in a desired direction and only needing a single 
rope to tie off to ground.  Probably 20m & 15m.  An 80/40m fan 
inverted-V could be hung with center at a lower point on the tower to 
be usable in NVIS mode.  45-60 foot high and being far below the 
20-10m antennas would not interact.  80/40m dipole should be oriented 
for good N-S radiation to cover AK from our location on the Kenai 
Peninsula.  I have a 80/40m invert-V at 45 foot with ends at 
20-feet.  I spaced the two wires using 8-inch painted wooden dowel 
spacers to keep even spacing and cut the 80m dipole first using an 
antenna analyzer.  Then slight adjustment after the 40m dipole was 
cut.  I get 3700-4000 and 7000-7250 without need for a tuner.  Tuner 
permits running at 3500-3600 and 7200-7300.

The man has few funds to spend on ham goodies so offering things he 
can make with materials in-hand.  He says he has a lot of wire.  Not 
sure on coax and how long the runs will be.  Since cables would need 
to be suspended on a pilot rope or cable from top of the tower so the 
tower can be cranked up/down, a remote coax switch would be handy for him.

Anyway have a good supply of ideas for him, now!

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
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