Hi, I've an 80m vertical that I want to use as my transmit antenna for topband. It's about 20.5m high.
For reasons of weather survivial and because of the antenna construction my plan is to base load for 160m with all the inefficiences/compromises that flow from that decision. However, I've been wondering about something; The antenna is supported by three non-conducting guys. The guys are connected to the antenna at 13.5m above ground. They are angled downwards at about 45 degrees to support points on the ground. This leaves 7m of the antenna above the guy support point. 1. Could the guys (replaced with conducting material of course and insulted before connection to ground anchors) be used to provide some kind of capacitance loading on 160m i.e. to provide a capacitance "skirt" as opposed to a capacitance "hat" and thereby reducing the size of coil needed at the base for 160m? 2. Would this be any more efficient than a well made high Q coil at the base? 3. Has anyone done this? How did you deal with practicalities like taking the guys out of the circuit when the antenna is being used on 80m? -- Regards Cormac (EI4HQ) [Cork/UTC+] NNNN++++ http://ei4hq.shacknet.nu/ei4hq/ _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
