[Elecraft] Less Than Perfect Antennas [was Flumoxed]

[Fred Jensen]

It seems these days that the "Amateur media," which includes all of us 
conversing on the air or via email lists, tends to dismiss LTPA [less 
than perfect antennas] which may be discouraging some Technicians from 
trying out their HF allocations on 10, 15, 40, and 80.  Hard core DX'ers 
and contesters will scoff at a BWD-90 or my end-fed 80-10 at 6 ft on the 
wooden fence, and I don't intend to make the Honor Roll with it, but 
antennas don't need to be perfect to work and even work well.  I snagged 
VP6D on 40, 30, 20, and 17 CW with 100 W to my WOOF [Wire On Organic 
Fence] and it was easy.  The SOTA folk don't buy a tower, they just hike 
up a mountain.  I worked two DL's in a row on 15 CW a couple years ago 
from W5N/RO-015 in SE NM with 10 W from my K2 into an Alexloop over my head.

If we want younger people to try out HF, we need to assure them that 
they don't have to spend a year's take-home pay to get on and have fun.  
Wayne has been relating some of his QRP-ish field adventures which is 
really great.  Full Disclosure: I'm part of the W7RN crew and have 
remote access to the two remote K3/KPA1500 combos and 23 antenna 
selections [last count [:-) w7rn.com] including a 3-el 80 yagi at 175 
ft.  Most of the time however, my K3/WOOF serves my needs which leaves 
the remotes to those on the crew who have no other option.  RF current 
into a conductor will radiate, even if it's at eye level.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 12/5/2018 3:31 PM, Dave Cole (NK7Z) wrote:
> I have one of the BWD-90 antennas up now, (at 25 feet), and use it for 
> local contacts on HF daily...
>
> DX is the vertical, soon to be a beam at 55 feet....  I also use the 
> BWD-90 for all the WARC bands, save 30, which is the vertical.
>
> I also have a new in the box BWD-90, (copper version, not the steel 
> version), as well...
>
> Works well with a K3, as the rig is atmospheric noise limited.
>
> 73s and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Technical Specialist
> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
> ARRL OOC for Oregon