|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
1-6 of 6 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
gutter antenna
|
Reply
|
|
by VK4TJF on November 5, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
well i put up a homemade wire antenna doublet feed with 450 OHm ladder line and put it 10 feet off the ground. it is zip tied to my gutter and no-one can tell that i have it up but me, tunes up on 40 and 80 meters, great for local work really shines, however not really good for DX work, however managed to work 3 stations in the U.S. on CW on 40 meters. i wonder if when the sunspots pick up i'll get more dx? total cost of antenna was like 50 aussie dollars
|
| |
|
RE: gutter antenna
|
Reply
|
|
by N5LRZ on November 5, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
"well i put up a homemade wire antenna doublet feed with 450 OHm ladder line"
A centerfed dipole cut to the lowest freqency you will use and fed with ladder line is a very fine multiband antenna when fed into a good external antenna tuner.
"and put it 10 feet off the ground."
This is not good unless you want to warm clouds and cook worms. For a dipole type antenna to transmit in its proper pattern it should be at the very least above 1/4 wave length above the ground with 1/2 wave or higher being even better. However you will derive some benefit from being very close to the ground with the elimination of some background noise.
"it is zip tied to my gutter and no-one can tell that i have it up but me"
IF your gutter is made of metal than this is not a good idea. Being so close to a metal gutter will seriously interact with your antenna in ways you may not like. IF your gutter is plastic/vinyl then you should be OK in so far as gutter interaction but still too low to the ground--see above.
"tunes up on 40 and 80 meters, great for local work really shines, however not really good for DX work"
The problem with being so low, less than 1/2 above the ground, is that the earth itself acts to reflect most of your signal at high angles of radiation upward rather than lower and outward. Also the earth at low frequencies in close proximity will also effect the efficiency of your antenna.
", however managed to work 3 stations in the U.S. on CW on 40 meters. i wonder if when the sunspots pick up i'll get more dx? total cost of antenna was like 50 aussie dollars"
The Solar Cycle is just comming out of its low cycle right now. We are getting a few spots on the sun but not many at this time. BUT it will get better as more spots appear on the Sun. It will take a year or two, be patient. And as to antennas, particularly wire antennas, use google to track down wire antenna designs on the web (the ARRL Antenna Book is also a good source) and make your own wire antennas. Hands on experience means you learn by doing.
|
| |
|
RE: gutter antenna
|
Reply
|
|
by K9FV on November 11, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
There are many times when a person WANTS an antenna that is a cloud warmer - that gives some nice gain with GOOD signals out several hundred miles. Such an antenna wil outperform a really high antenna for close in work.
While DX is nice, it's NOT the only contacts around. Enjoy your antenna.
73 de Ken H>
|
| |
|
RE: gutter antenna
|
Reply
|
|
by KT8K on December 16, 2008
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Best option might be to see if a vertical can be constructed from similar wire, with as many radials (and connections to other metal) as possible. The vertical will have a low radiation angle - much better for dx.
Is there a tree to support a vertical wire or dipole? Or must it be suspended from the building? In the latter case it can be sloped out away from the building to get it a bit more "in the clear", but the building will still absorb some of the signal - always a risk for RFI issues. An inverted-L vertical (still needs radials) will get you on lower frequencies. If you have a support 30 or more feet up you can put up a 20m vertical dipole and avoid the radials. That should really work well for you.
Best dx & 73 de kt8k - Tim
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
Forum, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Forum Manager.
|
|
|
