Don, There is no doubt about it that the g5rv is the  more popular of the 
two antennas and the initial investment is also less for it.  I have had
good 
luck with the DXCC and I haven't had problems with ice or snow straining 
it too much.  If you can get your antenna high enough, and the extra 
twenty feet isn't a problem for you, you will be happy with the g5rv.  

My DXCC did have a steep swr curve on 75 meters but I did get it down to a 
respectable level for less than half of the band.  The g5rv may give you a 
wider window than that but I am not sure.

Bob kd0br


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Don Breda
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 2:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
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