[HCARC] Antenna Questions Of The Day

[Gary and Arlene Johnson]

Some Vertical Antenna Questions:

Does the material a vertical antenna is made of affect its calculated length.  In essence, does it make any difference if the antenna sections are made from Copper, Copper plated steel, Aluminum, or wire attached to PVC pipe??  Does diameter of the tubing make a difference??

How does antenna made up of tapered sections compare to one made from straight tubular sections with no taper??

If a roller inductor that has a diameter of approx 1 inch core diameter with 20 turns of wire on it (wire length approx 5 feet - 3.14 x 1 x 20) is wired into the antenna, how does it affect the antenna??  If set to max length in this case would it effectively add 5 feet to the antennas length??  If none of the above, how does it affect the antenna.

Does the ability to add or remove antenna sections in approx 2 foot intervals affect the ability to tune the antenna between the various bands??  Assuming the antenna is not energised, can sections be added or removed to effectively change the band the antenna is resonant on??

For 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters and 10 meters (and the odd bands in between) what would the approx best antenna length be??  I have seen advertisments for all band 43 foot verticals and remember someone talking about a 33 foot vertical as being best.  It is OK to answer 40 and below, or 80/40, or 40/20, or whatever.

I know, I know - Get your radio built and just start talking - I am working on it, but being very careful in the contruction.  I have never done this kind of kit thing before and I am making sure I do it right the first time.

73's

Gary J
N5"BAA"