You're a man after my own heart, Greg! I never worried so much about the "Dbs". As a DXer, I generally listened a lot, and I found that on 160, if I could hear them - more often than not, I could work 'em - wherever in the world they might be.
Aside from 160, I have also built fearsome 3-el 40m vertical yagis for special paths, like Bouvet and Peter 1, that enabled me to work them on first call in huge east coast pileups! So, I figure if I'm working what what I can hear, and break through monster pileups for the tough ones, then I probably don't need to sweat or "nit-pick" the real or imagined tree losses! I also built a big 5-element 80m steerable vertical array (supported by trees) that was a fearsome "world-beater". Trees have been very good to me! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -----Original Message----- From: Topband [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Greg Chartrand Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 4:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Topband: Effect of trees- tree appreciation I expect the losses are related to current not voltage. The current of my antenna is in the vertical section for the most part and loss would would have to happen there as coupled to the nearest tree. The current would have to flow to ground so I seriously doubt if the resistance of the trunk is low enough to conduct any significant current to ground. Any loss in the top hat where the voltage is probably would amount to much power; the current has already flowed in the vertical section where I want it to. I had one of the top hat wires break once due to an apparent arc to a tree limb. My solution was wire with better insulation, so far so good. I couldn't care less about any speculated loss due to my trees. Without them I would not have an antenna on 160 so I figure I'm probably at least +50 db compared to my dummy load and many db better that a makeshift antenna away from the trees. I'd encourage anyone considering 160 to use trees to suspend an antenna if they are available. If I had a nice 100' tree in my backyard I guarantee you I'd use it. I also guarantee that I'd spend a hell of a lot of money putting up an equivalent tower in the open and the DB difference would not be worth the effort and cost for me. Again, thank you trees. --------------------------------------------------------- Greg Chartrand - W7MY Richland, WA. W7MY Home Page: http://webpages.charter.net/w7my/ > _________________ Topband Reflector _________________ Topband Reflector
