[Harc] Multiband HF Vertical

[MJ Inabnit]

Hi Russ,

Really good questions.  I'm going to try to help you nudge into one
direction or other.  Also going to include some helpful youtube video links.

The idea of an HF vertical is great.  Why?  Because many of these
antennas do a very good job of getting RF on the air and not lost in
coax.  They are easier to set up and forget.  There is less
complications like massive towers, rotors and the like.

Let's think a little more about a vertical vs a Yagi antenna.  Vertical
will hopefully have a perfect omni-directional radiation pattern that is
also hopefully low in "take off angle."  A Yagi is polar opposite, all
it's gain points only to one direction.  Verticals win since they are
simpler.  Yagi's win because all your power is aimed right at your
station of interest.

Personally, I really like the idea of a multiband vertical antenna.  I
have never owned one in the 30 some years of hamming.  But I talk to
hams that do.  I think you need to also add to your idea of the antenna
being able to handle power, 1000 watts or 1500 watts.  Adding an amp to
your vertical is like putting up a huge Yagi HF antenna, but a lot
simpler.  You might not have an amp now, but future-proof your idea and
really consider an antenna that has a higher power rating.  You might be
like me, most of the time I run 10-50 watts, but sometimes, when you
really want to have a nice chat with a DX ham, the amp sure makes the
qso more enjoyable when your partner station can hear you 100%.

Most multi-band verticals are marginal on lower bands (40m, 80/75m,
160m), but do pretty darned good on the high bands, and many include 6
meters, and some even include 2 meters!  So look for a vertical that
really does well on the higher bands.  Use your wire antenna for the
lower bands & NVIS, wire antennas just work well there.

My basic thought is DO decide on a good multi-band vertical.  You WILL
have a lot of fun making contacts with it.  Really think about buying
one that can handle some power, even 500 watts makes a HUGE difference
with verticals.  When the bands are hoping, you will LOVE being able to
shift from 20m to 17m, to 15m all the way up to 6m!  And the antenna
will do a pretty good job for you!  Also, since you are really wanting
the higher bands, any vertical elements will be much shorter and easier
to deal with.

last note.  If you decide that you just found the PERFECT antenna a year
later, the one you will have then will still be very valuable on the
used market!  The only new antenna I ever "bought" was my monster
VHF/UHF antenna!  All the others were home built or used.  I love used
gear and 1000's of other hams do too!  So you won't be wasting your
money as your interest grows!

You will have to do a little work locating and installing your antenna,
we all go through that, but dial in an antenna and go for it.  I think
it will give you many new options and render a lot of fun for you.

73
Jaye ke6sls

https://youtu.be/nNnkJ5OEVOA
https://youtu.be/nn4E6pgC5P0
https://youtu.be/HHBm5wPJBcU
https://youtu.be/iiDB5jpFFss
https://youtu.be/nNnkJ5OEVOA

On 2/21/21 2:33 PM, Rus Gustavson via Harc wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I live on a small lot with powerlines down one side of the lot. There
> are no trees. There isn't much space for radials, though I could
> probably do 180 degrees of some radials, many of them short. But, I'm
> concerned about our grandchildren running into something that's not
> elevated at least a bit.
> 
> I've got an NVIS antenna that works well, but I'd like to get some more
> distance with my QRP HF radio.
> 
> I've been mulling this over for months, looking at the DX Commander,
> Hustler 5BTV, Diamond BB-7V, Cushcraft R5-R9, ZeroFive multiband
> vertical, and many more on eHam. Everyone has an opinion and, in
> general, they all like the antenna they bought. It's kind of like
> reading Amazon reviews. Who to trust?
> 
> Or, I could put up a pole and put a dipole on it. 
> 
> What do you think? What have you tried that worked for you? Do any of
> you have recommendations?
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> Rus, NQ6F
> 
> 


-- 

wishing you well
Jaye, ke6sls--via the toshiba w/thunderchicken