The fact that you can't hear both sides of a QSO is  no problem, and is 
usually the case more often than not.  The fact that nobody hears you is  a 
problem.

Radials don't need to be all spread  out equally  and straight out like 
spokes on a wheel.   They can be bent, zig-zagged, L shaped or whatever it 
takes to fit the situation.   Try not to let them cross  over each other and 
don't bring them back towards the antenna like in a U shape.

Just lay out 2 or 3  30 foot wires and check your swr.    I have a gut 
feeling that this thing is not tuned correctly.  The L shaped bracket  that 
comes from the bottom of the 30 meter section and attaches to the 40 meter 
coil is what   determines  lowest swr  point on 20 meters.   There is a 
tuning procedure in the manual starting with 75/80 meters and working up. 
There is also some interaction between some of the bands.    If you aren't 
willing or able to set it up  correctly, you are just beating your head 
against a wall and it will never  work great.    Life is too short to go 
nuts over a hobby.    Sell it and put up a wire or two.

73, Steve KW3A


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gery Gaubert" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 12:48 PM
Subject: wire antenna


>        I have the tower, I just have to get it put up.  I have about 46 
> fe=
> et of rhon 25.  I have 5 full sections and a section that is shorter and 
> dr=
> illed holes for bolts.  It all sits on a concreted base of about 2 feet 
> hig=
> h.  Probably closer to 50 feet.  That with a wire antenna would be good. 
> P=
> roblem with the vertical is I here people in different states but rarely 
> he=
> ar both sides of the conversations.   From time to time, California, New 
> Je=
> rsey, Verginia, Arkansas and some time a big booming station from the 
> carib=
> ean or canada but I can't reach them ever.
>
> Gery D. Gaubert
> Assistant, Information Technology Administrator
> St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office
> office (985) 783-0208
> mobile 504-329-9439
> [log in to unmask]
>
> This e-mail and any attachments thereto are intended only for the use by 
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> notif=
> ied that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail, and 
> an=
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> mail in error, please immediately notify me by telephone (985-783-0208) 
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> printout thereof.
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