[ICOM] rotatable dippole antenna question

[mikea]

On Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 06:56:32PM -0500, D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:
> 
> "Hamsticks" have become a generic name for short helically-wound
> vertical antennas for single-band mobile use.  They have top
> whips that are adjustable for resonance.  A pair of them can be
> installed base end-to-base end on commercially available brackets
> that can then be pole/mast mounted and become a dipole.
>  
> I assume they got their name from the commercially available CB
> antennas with the trade-name of "Fire Sticks."  Correct spelling
> may be slightly different.
>  
> I have a couple of the brackets to mount 40m and 20m "sticks"
> 90 degrees from each other on a single mast for temporary use.
> Performance definitely below a full-sized dipole but handy.
>  
> You would expect them to have a very broad radiation pattern,
> almost omni-directional, as would any low dipole.

My experience accords almost completely with Mac's, differing only in 
that I see a fairly directional pattern. I suspect strongly that the 
difference is because my dipole is a 6-meter dipole about 25 feet 
above ground,

On Field Day 2005, I used the dipole to work about 150 QSOs on 6m, 
as far away as Maine, California, Florida, and British Columbia, 
thanks to a _wonderful_ -- and wonderfully-timed -- opening on the
bottom end of 6 meters.

-- 
Mike Andrews, W5EGO
mikea at mikea.ath.cx
Tired old sysadmin