[Elecraft] Antennas an opinion W9VNE

[David Bunte]

This thread brings to mind that we can always think of ways our situation
could be better, but it is still true that any antenna is better than no
antenna.

I know many folks have better locations than mine, and FAR better antennas,
but that has not kept me from having tons of fun, and fairly good DX
success.

In my HOA limited neighborhood, here in Indiana flatland, I have a 30' Flag
Pole vertical over mostly clay. That has been my only antenna for about 9
years. For the first 5 years I had 2000' of radials with my antenna tuner
in the shack. For the last 4 years I have had 3000' of radials and a tuner
at the base of the antenna.

I have not worked everything I have called, but have managed to confirm 303
countries including 84 on 160 and 1745 on DXCC Challenge. Friends tell me I
am very fortunate... I agree. I knew I could get on the air, but I am
having greater success than I expected and therefore tons of fun.

I have seen some folks delay putting up an antenna for years because they
could not decide what would be the very best antenna. I say learn what you
can... put up something... and improve on it over time if you are able.

Dave - K9FN


On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 4:03 PM Jim Campbell <jim at w4bqp.net> wrote:

> I can't speak for our bretheren in the Rockies, but most of the people
> in my part of the Appalachians live in the valleys with mountains around
> us. I don't live there now but I did grow up there. Utilities,
> especially water, are very expensive on mountaintops and icy roads in
> the Winter are deterrents. Also, electric storms in the Summer are
> terrifying.
>
> Jim - W4BQP
> K2/100 #2268
>
> On 3/16/2020 3:32 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
> > Which is why we Midwesterners are always at a disadvantage against you
> > brethren in the Rockies and the Appalachians -- on two scores:
> >
> > 1)  Height above sea-level is greater on a mountaintop than in a corn
> > field (didn't know that, did you).
> >
> > 2)  Temperatures are cooler and humidity is lower on a mountaintop
> > than in a corn field (another revelation).
> >
> > But we like challenges.
> >
> > On occasion, a buddy and I have been known to win QRP multi-op honors
> > from prairie picnic tables on blistering summer afternoons, and a
> > decade or so ago saw our club win 3rd in the nation in a similar QRP
> > 1A Battery Field Day.
> >
> > But who's bragging.  Fun has many definitions.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Kent  K9ZTV
> >
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