-----Original Message-----
From: tom behler [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 5:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Need some input on HF wire antennas for the Michigan house

        Lloyd:

Well, although I love making DX contacts, I wouldn't consider myself to be a

serious DXer.

Probably, most of my interest will be state-side qsos and nets, which is why

I'm thinking more of the wire-type antennas.

I do not have the money right now for another tower and beam set-up.

Plus, there actually is some question as to how long we will be staying in 
Michigan, since I am hoping to retire in about 4 or 5 years, after which 
time my life could take a number of different directions.  It is way too 
pre-mature right now to say which direction that would be, but I guess what 
I'm saying is that, although we're moving back to Michigan because that is 
where the job is, that is not likely to be where we will be staying for many

years down the road.  Therefore, I don't think another tower will be in my 
future for a while.

I hope this makes sense, and that my thinking is heading in the right 
direction for the situation.  If not, please feel free to offer another 
opinion.

73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lloyd Rasmussen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: Need some input on HF wire antennas for the Michigan house


I would say that "the more antennas, the merrier".  There are times when one
will work much better than another, especially for fixed wire antennas.  I
don't think that, at heights of 40 feet or less, on 80 meters there will be
much difference between dipoles at right angles.  If they are higher or are
sloped, there will be some difference.  As we move higher into the sunspot
cycle, 160 meters won't be as important as it has been for the past 3
winters.  You might consider providing a good ground and putting up an
inverted L for 160, although there is some potential for RF in the shack).

You will have to make decisions about maintenability (long-term
sustainability), but 15 and 10 meters will be more enjoyable with a
rotatable beam or quad, even if it is smalland on a tower that's not very
tall.  I don't know whether we will have much F2 propagation on six meters
in this cycle, but I'm convinced that ten meters will be red-hot at times
this winter or the next.  It depends on whether you are interested in DX,
domestic QSO's, statewide nets or all of the above.

Lloyd Rasmussen, Kensington, Maryland
Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls


> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of tom behler
> Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 3:28 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Need some input on HF wire antennas for the Michigan house
>
> Hi, all.
>
> Well, I have been bending the ear of Kevin (K7RX) off list on this topic,
> and thought I'd seek input from others here on the list about an antenna
> dilemma I'm having when considering the best HF antenna arrangements for
> the
> Michigan house.
>
> Here's what I'm thinking, in general, but I need some help with specifics.
>
> When I moved to Colorado last July, I donated my tower, triband, beam,
> etc.,
> to an EOC one county to my north, so I will be without a tower.  In
> considering various options, I feel that my best arrangement for HF would
> be
> wire antennas of some sort.  Keep in mind that I need antennas that will
> accommodate 600 or 700 watts, due to my recently-purchased Ameritron
> AL811H
> amplifier.
>
> I do not necessarily have a problem with room on the Michigan property,
> although coming up with adequate antenna supports might be a slight issue,
> though ultimately solvable.
>
> What I'm thinking is this:  I'd like to have two dipoles, arranged
> perpendicular to each other, so as to cover as many directions as
> possible.
> My TS480, and my Tentec 238A manual tuner both have antenna switching
> capability, so switching between antennas will not be a problem.
>
> One of the dipoles that I'll use, of course, will be my trusty Alpha Delta
> DXCC, which I had up here in Colorado, and used regularly for the
> Cross-country blind ops net.
>
> I am trying to decide what to do for the other wire antenna.  I thought I
> had a line on a Carolina Windom, but that seems like it will not work now,
> since the ham who was going to work a deal with me has gone to Florida for
> an indefinite period of time.  I could get another Alpha Delta DXCC, but
> would like to try something that might get me on 160 meters if possible.
>
> Some folks on this list have discussed the Cobra lite series of antennas,
> and I might consider that as a possibility.  Do those antennas cover 160,
> and can they handle 600 or 700 watts?
>
> Also, I have a question about coax.
>
> In Colorado, I fed my Alpha Delta DXCC with RG8X coax, and didn't seem to
> have any adverse effects when running more power with the Ameritron amp.
> Some have told me that this is not a wise thing to do, and that I should
> consider bigger coax, like RG213.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this question as well?
>
> I know this is a lot for one e-mail, so I appreciate everyone's patience
> in
> wading through it.
>
> I'd like to place an order soon for what I need, so the stuff will be
> available in Michigan, once we are back there for good next week at this
> time.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ, still in Colorado, but only for a few more
> days