I agree with Phil here.
	
I had an R7 in my back yard for about 10 years, and loved it.

It was ground-mounted on a fiber-glass pole with the base being about 8 feet
off the ground, and I only used the counter-poise rods that were provided as
the radials.

Back then, of course, I didn't understand basic antenna theory as well as I
do now, but I did a great deal of DX with that antenna, especially on 17,
20, and 30 meters.

Of course, the antenna was not as good for shorter-distance work, but it was
sure fun to use when I was trying to chase DX with a somewhat meager antenna
set-up.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Phil Scovell
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2013 11:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: The R7 cushcraft vertical antenna

I ran the R7 on my roof at 20 feet, base above ground, for many years and
was very happy with its performance.  I'd like having the R9 now.  I've run
other trapped verticals that used full length radials at 20 feet but feel
the R7 was much better even with the short 4 and 5 foot radials poking out
of the base.  I wouldn't run a vertical ground mounted.  Even ten feet off
the ground is better but in places where I had no room, I ground mounted
them and got out well.  For 18 months, I ran a trapped ground mounted
vertical and a 2 watt transceiver and worked all 50 states including both
KH6 and KL7 on 40 meters so ground mounting, even using long ground rods
instead of radials, works better than most people think.

K0NX
Phil.