[GCARC] I like EFHW Wire Antennas

[kbfrank3 at verizon.net]

Mary W2TDS, yes there are many antenna choices and you may be experiencing "paralysis by analysis".  So just start with something now and you can add more antennas when time permits.
Someone may have mentioned End-Fed Half wave antennas (EFHW) already.  These are MULTIBAND, very EASY TO INSTALL and require only a SINGLE WIRE which is less visible than fan dipoles, which require a separate set of wires in parallel for each band.  EFHW antennas DO require a transformer at one end, to which your coax would attach.  Typically, you would attach the transformer end to your house and the other end of the wire to a tree.  This simplifies and shortens the run of coax to your antenna.  Jonathan WB2MNF uses one at the clubhouse for the 40 meter Winlink HF station and I use one at my QTH in Swedesboro for 80, 40 and 20 meters.
An EFHW antenna covering 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters would be about 133 feet long.  An antenna covering 40, 20 and 10 meters would be about 66 feet long.
MFJ sells a 40 - 10 meter model that is available from Ham Radio Outlet.  MyAntennas.com sells End-Fed and Off-Center Fed wire antennas that are of good quality.
Also, ARRL sells an EFHW kit for about $70.  I built one ARRL kit already and have a second kit that is unbuilt.  If I remember, I can bring it to the dinner on Wednesday (to show it, not to sell it . . . I intend to build it myself).
It is very satisfying to make contacts using something that you built yourself.
	Karl W2KBF

-----Original Message-----
From: gcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net <gcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Agustin Neron Properties LLC
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 12:40 AM
To: Tony Starr <tstarr1450 at gmail.com>; mary delemarre <marydelemarre at gmail.com>
Cc: GCARC <gcarc at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [GCARC] Antenna question

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

> 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 . . .
> 
> 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 . . .
> >
>