I have a gap and had it up in Vegas, it does work, but a real bear to 
assemble and mechanicly not that good, I've had to repair mine a lot.
73
Butch
WA0VJR

On 
Sat, 12 Mar 2011, Michael Ryan wrote:

> Hi All:=20
>
> Well the research continues. I was a little concerned that 800 would be =
> a little much to plank down on what could turn out to be nothing more =
> than a 43 foot post in the ground with radials! LOL=20
> However, I've come to find out that each vertical I looked at has its =
> followings and has its slandorers.=20
> Take the Gap Titan.  I've heard that it wasn't a good vertical yet I was =
> surprised to find out it was used on the CY0 expedition.=20
> The S9s, this guy makes a crack at DX Engineering's use of antiseez for =
> the hardware used and the Penatrox, used between the tubing joints, to =
> insure electrical connectivity. =20
> Now, the S9 43 footer, is simply some fiberglass tubing with a wire =
> inside. So is this antenna simply just a vertical dipole that's 43 feet =
> tall? Its sounds like it.=20
> The DX Engineering thunder bolt, was used in the Antarctic, So that must =
> mean that's its pretty strong and decent to make contacts from there to =
> North America. Ant Arctica is a pretty good hall from OH. LOL =20
> The S9 has a 5.0 rating out of 15 reviewers on eham. The Thunder Bolt, =
> 4.6 with 19 reviewers. The Butternut 9V and Hussler 6BTV all have hi =
> ratings with more than 50 reviewers and I know a guy personally who has =
> a Butternut and has had allot of problems with it. He's currently trying =
> to unload it.=20
> So I think the best thing is to just shoot for what I think will be a =
> good overall choice that fits my criteria and go for it.=20
> The Thunder Bolt is a little expensive but I don't think I really need =
> to buy a radial plate and bolts. Can buy the wire here locally and =
> considering I'll be using a Stainless steel mounting pipe, cut off the =
> wire to the length of my radials and solder everything to the mounting =
> pipe.=20
> The Thunder Bolt with Unon package sells for 259.95USD and I could get =
> the wire and ring terminals locally for 140 taxes include. To get the T =
> B delivered to my door, about 350. Wire and terminals, 140. allow 50 for =
> misc, solder, iron and the like. Total cost of my projected system, =
> 540CAN. I don't think that's too bad.  Lets also take into consideration =
> that it would be movable should my XYL and I move to a house and I =
> wouldn't have to bother club members to help me with raising and =
> lowering to titan a simple clamp, could do it my self.=20
> My XYL is also pretty handy with ham gear when given the manual! LOL=20
>
> 73:=20
>
> Michael De VO1RYN=20
> =20
>
>