And another important reason, especially for those who use the 44 foot vertical. 44 feet is just about 5/8 wavelengths on 10 meters. Making the vertical longer than 5/8 wavelengths quickly rises the main lobe above the horizon (right angles to the radiator) so you no longer have the main lobe at the optimum DX angle. Note that is *not* a problem on the bands below 28 MHz since the antenna is less than 5/8 wavelengths long there.
It even plays an important role with an 88 foot doublet erected horizontally. If it is made longer the shift in lobes starts producing a significant lobe that points straight up, robbing signal from the optimum DX angles on 10 meters. IIRC, Moxon, who touted that antenna as his favorite "all band" wire antenna design, goes into this in some detail in his book "HF Antennas for All Locations" 73 Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 4:12 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Random length wire for use with KX3 There is a reason for the 43 foot vertical - alternately the 44 foot each side of center antenna advocated by Cebik (SK). It is not resonant on any amateur band and the impedance range can be handled by most tuners. So if you are putting up a vertical, I would recommend a 43 or 44 foot antenna with a 43 or 44 foot radial (or several radials). If a dipole, use 44 feet on each side of the antenna feedpoint. If you do not need 80 meter coverage, go for the 22 feet on each side of the dipole. 73, Don W3FPR ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
