[GCARC] Where should KC2IEB put HF wire antennas?

[w2mmdgcarc]

From: Christopher Wawak [mailto:chris at wawak.org] 
Sent: November 05, 2020 11:49
To: w2mmdgcarc
Subject: Where should KC2IEB put HF wire antennas?

 

Hi all! I'm beginning to wonder if my end fed wire antenna is not the best use of the space in my backyard .

 

I'm unable to make most SSB QSOs, and in general I just think I can do better. I've got a good ground near the entry to the shack, and I've got 5 or 6 counterpoises laid down sort of randomly around the area connected to the ground lug on the 9:1 unun. Weak FT8 connections are great, but SSB phone is just downright difficult. Unless I'm doing something really wrong, I'm open to changing this entirely.

 

Unfortunately, I'm really, really overwhelmed with the options I have. I'd like to find one wire antenna that would fit in the confines of my yard, and allow me to operate on 60/40/20/17/15/10, with a tuner is fine. Not super excited about 75/80, at least for now.

 

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9167718,-75.0496759,70m/data=!3m1!1e3

(you can right click on the map and get distances if you like)

 

The lot is 70' wide. There's a couple trees, all spaced around 50ish feet apart. Don't worry, I've got drawings below.

 

Right now, the unun is about 6' high, and the wire runs from there to probably about 20-25' high. The wire itself is 84' long. I might be able to get it a few feet higher on both ends. I'm a little shy with the antenna launcher.




I've thrown some pictures up on a link in case anyone is willing to take a few minutes to review. 

https://imgur.com/a/VHmPKOn

 

I'll probably be on the club 2m or 70cm repeaters after 8:30 or 8:45 and would love to discuss this further, but appreciate any help on email or radio at all. Thank you!

 

-- Chris