[GCARC] Antenna question

Tue Nov 28 00:40:21 EST 2023

Hi Mary,
I would chime in and agree with Tony's assessment.
If you have the space, go with a multi-band fan dipole.

Hy-Power Antennas in Allentown PA specializes in regular and shortened dipoles (even builds them according to your space limitation). If you have the space go with a full-size multi-band dipole.
Here is his link https://www.hypowerantenna.com/products/fan-dipole 
Personally I had one of these EAntennas sold by DXEngineering, currently $179, and full size dipoles as a fan 80-40-20-15-10.
Info here: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ean-r2010048 
The first couple years at my new QTH, I used this as my primary antenna.
It comes ready to install (you should be able to feed the center at least 30-35ft above ground like an Inverted V, but raise the ends as high as you can (like Tony K3TS and I do at FD for the 80m dipole).

You have to adjust each band for resonance (lengthen or shorten the tips of the dipole elements on each side, normally just a small change like an inch or two will change your SWR). A nifty tool for this is a Rig Expert Antenna Analyzer AA-54 (I have one and you are welcome to borrow it if you wind up getting one of these antennas. I believe it would also work fine on a Hustler vertical as well. It will track 5 or 6 bands in real time simultaneously and graphs it for you, so you know whether you have to shorten or lengthen the antenna for resonance).

Either of these antennas would use a single coax feed-line (if you are running 200W or less you only need a run of RG8X).
Both antennas handle 1500W if you intend to run with an amp. In that make sure you get a higher power coax such as RG-213 (all coax sold by HRO Delaware).

You will be heard in most cases a lot better with wire dipoles (horizontally polarized) versus a vertical (better for long haul like Asia or west coast US, but close in 1000miles or less a dipole will almost always beat them).

, which was interesting 10
> On 11/27/2023 10:11 AM EST Tony Starr <tstarr1450 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> Mary,
> 
> Both choices are good ones, but if you have the space, why not go with a
> wire antenna such as a fan dipole?  I have a Hustler 5BTV, with 25 radials
> under it, but it is not my only antenna, and in most cases, my wire dipoles
> will out-perform it. Having a vertical for your only antenna is a good
> choice for the space-challenged, but for those who have more room, there
> are better options. Also, verticals are notoriously noisy on receive, so
> they are not the best choice for listening.  Of course if you have the
> room, I would probably put up both the vertical AND a wire dipole, and in
> fact, I have done that myself here at my QTH.  One can never have too many
> antenna choices.  73 for now.
> 
> Tony K3TS
> 
> On Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 9:52 AM mary delemarre <marydelemarre at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
> > Hello,
> >
> >    I have been struggling for a while on what to do about an HF antenna.  I
> > have read & search and still I am perplexed.
> >
> > I have plenty of space in my backyard.  I am not in a HOA.
> >
> > I have narrowed it down to these two antennas.
> >
> > https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-003357
> > https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-012169
> >
> > I would like some input from the club.  I want a multi band antenna, that
> > isn't too hard to put up since it will be me & Lou (hubby) installing it.
> >
> > Lou & I will be at the Club's Holiday dinner.
> >
> > Also if I purchase one of these antenanna, what else do I need to purchase.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Mary
> > W2TDS
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > *Mary Delemarre*
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