[Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

[john at kk9a.com]

There is a lot of antenna misinformation on this list.  Your initial  
assumption is basically correct. A vertical does not have low angle  
radiation unless you have a perfect ground, it will then low  
pseudo-brewster angle which is very effective.  A 1/2wl or higher 40m  
dipole is actually a very good antenna and 2el shorty 40 or even  
rotatable dipole is even better. A simple antenna model will show the  
gain and pattern for all of these options.

GL
John KK9A


Duane wrote:

 From what I understand - solid rock below a raised vertical is not  
the best option for performance.
With an underlying geography of many feet of solid metamorphic rock -  
that would probably rule out the low angle benefits of vertical  
antennas.

Consequently, over the years, every 40m vertical I've ever put up has  
been out-performed by a dipole at .41 wavelength.  I've also tried the  
DX-Half Square and vertical Delta Loop with the same results.

It looks to me like my only option to outperform a 40m dipole - is a  
tower and (at minimum) a 2EL yagi.

Would that assumption be correct?
Thanks
Duane