[GCARC] Can Short 75 Meter Antennas work for NVIS/EMCOMM?

[kbfrank3 at verizon.net]

Hi All,

            Does anyone have ACTUAL EXPERIENCE using very short rigid
antennas (e.g. BuddiPole or Hamsticks) as horizontal dipoles (or Inverted
VEEs) for 75 Meter EMCOMM/NVIS work?  In particular, how much gain do we
lose relative to a full length inverted VEE wire antenna using a 20 - 30
foot mast (e.g. -5, -10, -15, -20db)?  I am asking first in order to avoid
the trouble, expense and probable disappointment of doing this experiment
myself.

            I imagine that everybody has an opinion on this but I am looking
for actual real-world experience.  The rationale behind this question is
that 75 meter NVIS is useful for both Intra- and Intercounty short range
backup to VHF and we might not always have the space or support structures
(e.g. trees) to run full length horizontal wire antennas (and verticals are
not good for NVIS).

            Karl W2KBF