A ham can certainly try a voltage fed 180 degree vertical, but the physical conditions at the feedpoint change dramatically because it's quite possible a few KV of RF v. will be there, unlike what we have with a current maxima at the feedpoint. So insulation and keeping surfaces dry become much more important. You can't just use a block of wood exposed to rain for an insulator and if the base is on a concrete pier, it has to have copper strapped around it so the concrete isn't part of the v. gradient between the antenna and ground. Besides arcs, RF loss is a consideration, plus the ground system has to be extended because the induced earth currents are farther out. It's a lot of trouble and expense for a slightly lower take off.
73 Rob K5UJ _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
