[Elecraft] Less Than Perfect Antennas

[Charlie T]

I wonder if anyone has ever tried, for want of a better name, a "Skeleton
Cone" which consists of a single horizontal wire connected to the coax
center conductor and two sloping wires at 45 degrees, in the same plane
connected to the coax shield.  A true Discone antenna would have many
(typically eight each) horizontal and sloping elements. I'm guessing many
of us have used the VHF/UHF version for very wide band coverage, for
example 144, 220, 432 MHz and even higher.  I know I have one up and it
performs as well as a regular single band  ¼λ ground plane (unity gain)
on all three bands with low SWR.  The ICOM version as well as a few others,
also have a loaded whip for 52 MHz mounted on the bushing that the
horizontal elements are screwed into.

I'm also guessing the formulas for a true Discone would work for a
"skeleton" style as well.  I Since it is inherently a wide band design, the
actual lengths are probably not too critical.  I've heard this type antenna
described, but I don't remember where or how well it supposedly worked.  It
obviously requires two supports, high enough that the sloping wires ends
are off the ground by a bit.

73, Charlie k3ICH