My KX-1 with a 25 ft antenna and one or two 17 ft counterpoises laying on the
ground nearly always loads easily on 40, 30, and 20 meters. The KX-1 has a
rather limited range antenna tuner. So I would not think your 58 ft antenna
wire should not present much of a problem on 80. However this is for my
counterpoise wire(s) laying directly on the ground. However if my 17 ft
counterpoise is elevated, or is above ground for say the first 5 or more feet,
sometimes will not match on 40 meters until I lengthen the counterpoise to at
least something like about 25 ft, or better yet a full 1/4th wavelength which
is about 34 ft on 40 meters. So if your counterpoise wire(s) are partly or
mostly above ground, a counterpoise closer to 67 ft will probably improve your
match and performance. I would think even a 40 or 50 foot counterpoise wire
laying on the ground would work. I had some luck with a 51 ft counterpoise
laying on the ground on 80 meters….but only limited experience on that band.
Sometimes I have had good luck on 40, 30, and 20 meters just clipping onto a
metal picnic table, chain link fence, guardrail, etc. for my counterpoise but
sometimes adding a counterpoise wire also. So an additional ground wire
clipped onto a metal object, even a car body, often helps, but occasionally
clipping onto something seems to degrade reception….just give it a try.
Sometimes I needed to lay my counterpoise wires under picnic tables, tents,
the car, etc with lots of zigzags. Usually it worked just fine….but not sure
about 80 meters.
Rick KL7CW
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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