[Lowfer] Tree antennas for LF

[Bill Ashlock]

All,

This RX tree antenna continues to beat down all attempts over the last four 
days to improve the RX loop antenna at this site. Once the buzz of light 
dimmers and florescent tubes falls away, beginning midnight to 1:00am, the 
antennas are identical in performance, but until then the tree antenna is 
the star performer!

It appears I'm not alone in the use of trees for antennas. Check out this 
Scientific American story about George O. Squire dating back to 1906: 
www.rexresearch.com/squier/squier.htm  Seems as though he determined that a 
nail placed into the trunk at 2/3s the height of the tree was the best 
location to connect his downlead. This makes a lot of sense if you consider 
the upper portions have the highest signal but not as much capacity coupling 
to the signal as the combined top 1/3 of the tree. As you work downward the 
resistive divider action of the sap takes over and lowers the signal. As the 
author indicates, just a wire connected to an insulator at this height 
doesn't work. .....And a dead tree will not work, either. May just have to 
get out the hammer, nails, and the extension ladder to see how much more 
signal is gained (hopefully not remotely from a hospital bed! <G>).

Bill

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