[SOC] Looking for usleless advise

[JMcAulay]

At 08:06 AM 02/25/2002 -0600, WB5TKA wrote:
>Hey, let's face it, if I was looking for sound advice, would I be asking
>THIS list?
>
>I'm only kidding guys.  All in fun.


I certainly hope so.

A Butternut vertical was my primary HF antenna for many years, almost
always with a barefoot Argonaut.  Worked all over the place on ssb -- 10,
15, 20, 40, and 75.  Most people thought I was either nuts or lying.  You
know how that goes:

"Rig here is an Argonaut, feeding a Butternut vertical."

"Uhh, say, Old Man, your 20 over 9 just went down a whole lot.  I can
barely hear you now."

That sucker is a real "sliver-band" radiator on 80M, no question about it.
One big reason, of course, is that it's really a pretty low-loss antenna.
It's so good, in fact, maybe you ought to stick with it.  Try giving
yourself another operating area in the band.  Add a small relay, mounted
right next to the coil, to provide an alternative tap.  I used to do that
so I could also work CW down in the Novice band.  Two small relays and you
get another piece or two of the band.  Bet you'll like that.  Looks real
second class, too.  

73
John WA6QPL  SOC 263 (I think)