[Elecraft] Whips and counterpoise wires

[Wayne Burdick]

This probably goes without saying, but... always use a counterpoise (at least one wire) if you're actually trying to make QSOs. Without one, the whip not be resonant on its target band, and you'll lose 15-20 dB of signal at the receiving station. Even with the counterpoise, I always use the internal ATU in the KX3 to improve the SWR.

For listening only, I'll sometimes use the whip without a counterpoise wire. I still use the ATU in the KX3 in this case (you can't hurt it, since this is done at 2 W). This resonates the whip for RX purposes.

Wayne
N6KR



Don Butler <n5lz at comcast.net> wrote:

> Barry . I just tested my 20 meter and 17 meter whips by fully extending them
> and connecting them directly to a Rig Expert AA-230 Pro outside in the open
> yard ... With NO Counterpoise wire ... this is the first time I've tried
> this ..
> 
> And after doing so I'm not so sure that it's reliable.
> 
> 1.	The fully extended 20 meter whip, mounted directly to the analyzer
> dips to 2.6:1 at 17.860 Mhz   .. ( when mounted on an aluminum base with
> counterpoise wires  it ran from 1.2:1 to 2.2:1 through the 20 meter band).
> 
> 2.	The fully extended 17 meter whip, mounted directly to the analyzer
> dips to 2.7:1 at 21.940 Mhz   ... (when mounted on the aluminum base with
> counterpoise wires it ran around 1.2:1 from 18.100 to 18.200)
> 
> Based upon my testing, and what you previously reported, I'd say that you
> probably do have a stock 20 meter whip that is correctly labeled.
> 
> I have photos of my homemade aluminum base ... but am not sure if I can post
> it to the reflector so will not attempt that ... but if anyone would like to
> see them contact me offlist and I'll be happy to share them.
> 
> Don, N5LZ