[Lowfer] Top Hat & Guy Lines

[Dexter McIntyre - W4DEX]

Peter Barick wrote:

> ----------------------------------------
>
> First, the purpose of the top hat is to raise the current to a higher
> point above ground. It "loads" a given vertical radiator thereby making
> it appear to be longer. However, as the upper capacity hat droops too
> low (guy lines), it unintentionally couples into other electrical
> objects, even the vertical ant in ways detrimental to performance. A
> compromise can be found by using only the top part of guys in this way,
> separated by an insulators.
>
> I don't favor using guys this way, too much of a compromise.
>
> Peter

Compromise yes but better than no top hat wires.  At least per ON7YD.  My
present Lowfer transmit antenna is a single vertical wire.  The top is
suspended by a weed eater line from a tower at one end to a tree at the
other.  This support line is close to a 45 deg angle with the ground.
There is no way I could support a rigid top hat for this antenna with this
sky hook line..  If I used part of the support line for a top hat wire the
antenna would not fit within a 15 meter cone.  After reading Rik's  Section
2.4. Umbrella antenna info I decided to try it.  I presently have six 25
foot drooping wires at about a 60 deg angle with the vertical wire.  Rik's
chart shows this to be about a 4 db improvement.  Also with the additional
capacitance I was able to remove about 1/3 of the coil windings.  This
antenna has been use for several years now and works the best of any
configuration I've had yet.

Dex