On 12/19/2014 2:25 PM, Steve wrote:
> Don,
 >
 > JMO, don't discount the AlphaDelta so quickly.  Don makes very
 > durable antennas, and you should be able to match it with a tuner,
 > since it is a bit shorter on 80 than a inverted vee or dipole cut for
 > 80/75 meters. I don't think the mesh will make it much more visible.
 >
 > I've had issues with some of the G5RV iterations because of the need
 > to keep the 300-ohm stub away from other objects.  I also had a bit
 > more TVI when I used the G5RV years ago.
 >
 > Steve, K8SP
 >
 >
 > ----- Original Message ----- From: Don Breda To:
 > [log in to unmask] Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 3:42
 > PM Subject: Re: Alpha Delta info - response to query
 >
 >
 > Thanks Dave. Again that was extremely helpful.
 >
 > I will probably rule out the alpha delta even though I think it has
 > a lot going for it.
 >
 > I suspect up in the air its more visible then some other wire
 > configurations and that is a factor here.
 >
 > I also feel thtat the 3 wires along with the mesh grid may be more
 > likely to hold on to water and snow and ice in the winter so I think
 > for those reasons right or wrong I will probably consider ruling it
 > out.
 >
 > Haven't made a final decision yet though and it is a good antenna by
 > all accounts.
 >
 > Don
 >
 > On 12/18/2014 3:27 PM, David Weigel wrote:
 >> Hi Don:=20
 >>
 >> Others may better explain the Alpha Delta DXCC multiband = dipole
 >> antenna better than I, but here=92s my response to your questions.
 >> =20
 >>
 >> The DXCC model has 3 dipole insulated wire elements of = different
 >> lengths coming out  of the Alpha Delta center insulator. On each
 >> side = of the center insulator emerge 3 wires for the various bands
 >> covered by = this antenna.  On each side there is one 41 foot
 >> length wire that covers the = 80 meter, and 40 meter bands.  The 40
 >> meter length of this wire is utilized = for 15 meters, based on a
 >> 1/3 wavelength harmonic.  Aditionally, there is = one 16 and =BD
 >> foot wire coming out of each side of the center insulator for = the
 >> 20 meter band.  There is also one 8 foot length of wire coming out
 >> from = each side of the center insulator to cover the 10 meter
 >> band.  The 10 meter = and 20 meter dipole wires are laced through a
 >> mesh like =93grid=94 for = lateral support, this mesh also
 >> connected to the center insulator.  There is, therefore, no
 >> requirement for the ends of the 10 meter and 20 meter wire elements
 >> to be supported or tied to a tree or a pole, etc., because they =
 >> are supported in space by the mesh grid.  The two 41 foot wire
 >> dipole = lengths are laced through the upper edge of the mesh grid,
 >> and serve as the = lateral support for the  mesh grid and the 10
 >> and 20 meter wire elements that achieve lateral support by being
 >> laced through the mesh grid.  Thus, the placement of the 41 foot
 >> wire elements of the dipole serve to provide a similar alignment or
 >> direction of the 10 and 20 meter dipole wires as = they are in
 >> parallel, directly below the longer 41 foot wires extending away =
 >> from the center insulator. =20
 >>
 >> My DXCC arrangement works very well on 40 meters and 20 = meters,
 >> not requiring a tuner.  10 meters may or may not require the use of
 >> a = tuner, depending upon frequency chosen.  Same  goes for 15
 >> meters.  This = antenna (mine, anyway) requires the use of a tuner
 >> for 12 and 17 meters...I = don=92t believe that it was designed for
 >> these bands...  But on 75/80 meters, I absolutely am required to
 >> use an external tuner, and the fine tuning is critical to achieve
 >> low s w r for me on this band.  Even tiny little adjustments of the
 >> external tuner on a given frequency in the 75 meter = band causes s
 >> w r to jump.  Others users of this antenna may not have this
 >> experience on 75/80 meters.  However, one of the 41 foot wire
 >> elements = of my dipole terminates within about 12 feet of the
 >> metal roof on my house, = which may be throwing a fly into the
 >> ointment.  I do get good  signal reports = on 75/80 meters as well
 >> as 40  and 20 meters, the bands that I most = frequent.
 >>
 >>
 >> I hope that description helps to answer your questions. = This
 >> missive isn=92t necessarily sent to steer you in one particular =
 >> direction, but rather to describe the structure of the dipole and a
 >> bit of my personal experience with it. =20
 >>
 >> Regards,=20
 >>
 >> = Dave Weigel   KD4JEZ

     Hi Steve.

I have forgotten but doesn't the alpha delta have ladder line as well?

I placed an order this morning for the true talk wa2nan style g5rv since 
it consistantly gets the highest ratings on eHam and is built like a 
brink well you know grin!

A friend has one and has had it up for over 7 years high up in the 
mountains in upstate new york.

With all the snow and ice up there it has never come down so am ginving 
that one a try.

I worried abouth the mesh holding more snow water and ice then a plain 
wire.  Thats what kind of scared me away from it.

I believe I may live to regret that decision but we shall see.

Don