[Lowfer] Photo of XR Top Hat, and comments

[Andy - KU4XR]

--- On Sun, 10/17/10, John Bruce McCreath wrote:

> Hi Andy, Lowfers,
> 
> I just had a look at the picture and I've a question for you.  
> The reddish looking "supports" that run from the four corners 
> of your top hat up to the top of the vertical portion above the
> hat....are they conductors (wire) or some type of rope or
> twine?
_________________________________________________

Hi J.B.   There is a 3 foot PVC pipe above the top hat to serve the
purpose of a tensioning post. The red string you see, is weedeater
string used to pull the swag out of the Top Hat crossarms. None of 
the material above the Top Hat is conductive.  

__________________________________________________________


> If they are not made from conductive material, I think you 
> would achieve more by replacing them with something conductive
> rather than having four wires going down to the vertical mast
> below the top hat. 
> 
> 73, J.B., VE3EAR
> 
> LowFER Beacon "EAR"
> 188.830 kHz. QRSS30
> EN93dr
> 
_________________________________________________________________

Well, the angled wires was an idea, albiet not a productive one.
So I will remove them the next time I lower the antenna.
As for adding wire above the Top Hat; I'll have to say that my
knowledge on short vertical antennas is based on mobile antennas
which is the brunt of information available on the internet.
>From the reading I have done; unless I am mis-understanding some
of the info. Anything above the Top Hat, such as whips, and 
stingers ( mobile ant. info. ) they are electrically hidden by
the Top Hat from the antenna section beneath it, and provide
very little if any benefit to the antenna. BUT !!! as I always
say; If I'm wrong, I want to correct my knowledge with the
right information..... So; with that said, anyone who would like
to add some meat to this topic; I'm hungry to learn.


Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates:  N:  35º 43' 54" - W:  84º 3' 16"

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