Low-band DX conditions are not going to be as good in the next four years as
the past four years, due to increasing solar activity.  Verticals work best
with a number of radials on the ground.  Trap verticals for 80 or 40 will be
rather narrow-banded, and you don't want to try loading them up beyond a 4
or 5:1 SWR, I think.  I don't think there are any easy solutions for
inexpensive all-band antennas at a remotely-operated station.  For the next
few years, I would concentrate on getting some good antennas for 10 MHz and
higher.
73,
Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, 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 Michael Ryan
> Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 8:13 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Vertical Antenna Confusion
> 
> Hi all:=20
> 
> Well yesterday I had my new antenna picked out and now I'm not so
> sure.=20=
> 
> I posted to an email list that discusses my rig and a few responses to =
> my inquiry indicated to me that the FT-450 would have problems tuning =
> the DX Engineering 43 Thunder Bolt.=20
> It was suggested that I purchase either an external automatic tuner or =
> purchase the MFJ-914 auto tuner extender.=20
> I certainly don't want to drop down 900CAN on an antenna system, only to =
> have to spend 100 here and another 100 there to make it work properly.=20=
> 
> Some others, suggested that I go with the Hussler 6-BTV. I looked at the =
> eham reviews for this antenna and there were 117 reviews at a 4.9 =
> rating.=20
> There are no reviews for the DX engineering 33 multibander and only 2 =
> for the Thunder Bolt, the one I'm considering.=20
> Zero Five has a number of reviews but for there different antenna =
> models, 2 or 3 for the Thunder Bolt similar model.=20
> So does anyone have a link to a site I could go to to really get a =
> handle on this vertical thing, performance ce data and so on?=20
> Which is better, 24 feet, in the case of the Hussler, 33 feet in the =
> Case of the DX engineering Antenna 2 or 43 feet in the Case of the DX =
> engineering Thunder Bolt, my consideration.=20
> I'm interested in the vertical system so that 1, I can handle it my =
> self, titaning up the clamps and so on, 2, to work some good DX on =
> 80/30M while having my windom's performance, or close to it on 20/10M.
> =20=
> 
> 
> 73:=20
> 
> Michael De VO1RYN=20
> 
> .=20