Ok, Don,

No, unlike the G5RV's, the DXCC does not require any matching stubs.  It 
feeds directly with 50-ohm coaxial cable, right to the center insulator. 
Don W8AD supplies a gas-discharge tube across his insulators that you can 
disconnect if you want, it is supposed to help guard against any static 
discharges.

That TrueTalk does get good reviews.  But, you will probably need a tuner 
with it, as you would on the DXCC if you stray away much from the resonant 
frequency on 75 meters, since it is a pretty high-Q antenna.

Steve, K8SP


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Don Breda
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 4:24 PM
Subject: Re: Alpha Delta info - response to query


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