Don, There is no doubt about it that the g5rv is the more popular of the
two antennas and the initial investment is also less for it. I have had
good
luck with the DXCC and I haven't had problems with ice or snow straining
it too much. If you can get your antenna high enough, and the extra
twenty feet isn't a problem for you, you will be happy with the g5rv.
My DXCC did have a steep swr curve on 75 meters but I did get it down to a
respectable level for less than half of the band. The g5rv may give you a
wider window than that but I am not sure.
Bob kd0br
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Don Breda
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 2:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Alpha Delta info - response to query
Thanks Dave. Again that was extremely helpful.
I will probably rule out the alpha delta even though I think it has a lot
going for it.
I suspect up in the air its more visible then some other wire configurations
and that is a factor here.
I also feel thtat the 3 wires along with the mesh grid may be more likely to
hold on to water and snow and ice in the winter so I think for those reasons
right or wrong I will probably consider ruling it out.
Haven't made a final decision yet though and it is a good antenna by all
accounts.
Don
On 12/18/2014 3:27 PM, David Weigel wrote:
> Hi Don:=20
>
> Others may better explain the Alpha Delta DXCC multiband
> = dipole antenna better than I, but here=92s my response to your
> questions. =20
>
> The DXCC model has 3 dipole insulated wire elements of =
> different lengths coming out of the Alpha Delta center insulator. On
> each side = of the center insulator emerge 3 wires for the various
> bands covered by = this antenna. On each side there is one 41 foot
> length wire that covers the =
> 80
> meter, and 40 meter bands. The 40 meter length of this wire is
> utilized = for
> 15 meters, based on a 1/3 wavelength harmonic. Aditionally, there is
> = one 16 and =BD foot wire coming out of each side of the center
> insulator for = the 20 meter band. There is also one 8 foot length of
> wire coming out from = each side of the center insulator to cover the
> 10 meter band. The 10 meter = and
> 20 meter dipole wires are laced through a mesh like =93grid=94 for =
> lateral support, this mesh also connected to the center insulator.
> There is, therefore, no requirement for the ends of the 10 meter and
> 20 meter wire elements to be supported or tied to a tree or a pole,
> etc., because they = are supported in space by the mesh grid. The two
> 41 foot wire dipole = lengths are laced through the upper edge of the
> mesh grid, and serve as the = lateral support for the mesh grid and
> the 10 and 20 meter wire elements that achieve lateral support by
> being laced through the mesh grid. Thus, the placement of the 41 foot
> wire elements of the dipole serve to provide a similar alignment or
> direction of the 10 and 20 meter dipole wires as = they are in
> parallel, directly below the longer 41 foot wires extending away =
> from the center insulator. =20
>
> My DXCC arrangement works very well on 40 meters and 20 =
> meters, not requiring a tuner. 10 meters may or may not require the
> use of a = tuner, depending upon frequency chosen. Same goes for 15
> meters. This = antenna (mine, anyway) requires the use of a tuner for
> 12 and 17 meters...I = don=92t believe that it was designed for these
> bands... But on 75/80 meters, I absolutely am required to use an
> external tuner, and the fine tuning is critical to achieve low s w r
> for me on this band. Even tiny little adjustments of the external
> tuner on a given frequency in the 75 meter = band causes s w r to
> jump. Others users of this antenna may not have this experience on
> 75/80 meters. However, one of the 41 foot wire elements = of my
> dipole terminates within about 12 feet of the metal roof on my house,
> = which may be throwing a fly into the ointment. I do get good
> signal reports = on
> 75/80 meters as well as 40 and 20 meters, the bands that I most =
> frequent.
>
>
> I hope that description helps to answer your questions.
> = This missive isn=92t necessarily sent to steer you in one particular
> = direction, but rather to describe the structure of the dipole and a
> bit of my personal experience with it. =20
>
>
> Regards,=20
>
>
> = Dave
> Weigel KD4JEZ
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