Tom, If space is not an issue, why not do some phased dipoles rather than perpendicular ones? I also am not sure what kind of interaction you'd get between the two antennas that are the same length set perpendicularly to each other. The only setup I saw with perpendicular dipoles had the 80-meter in one direction and the 40-meter 90 degrees opposite to it. As for the Cobra UltraLite, it sounds like a nice antenna. But, the coil design, read shortened design, means it will be compromised on the lower resonant bands. So, you won't get 75-meter performance equivalent to a dipole using the 73-foot version. To add to your antenna considerations, if you are going to be a Michigander for some time to come, maybe you just want to get a new tower. If you put a beam on top, you could get a sloper and use the tower as part of the design, with the beam being a capacitive tophat. They really work well. As for RG8X, I wouldn't worry about it on the lower frequencies. I have an AL811H and have fed mine with 600-plus watts up to 21MHz with no problem. I wouldn't use that stuff on VHF of course, due to the higher lossses. ----- Original Message ----- From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 3:27 PM 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