kf4jqd
04-25-2010, 08:23 AM
I am glad to see this part of the forum. Antennas ARE the most important part of of station. If you have a $10,000 station but you have a crappy antenna, ie G%RV, you wont be happy!
Back in my CB radio days, people came to me about amplifiers. The first thing I asked them is, Can I look at your set up? What I found startled me. They had a very nice radio connected to the cheapest and worst antennas on the market! I told them the cheapest way to go is get a good antenna. I always recommend the Radio Shack Deluxe mag-mount (Yes I said Radio Shack!). K40's, or Wilson's. They were much happier after they replaced their antenna!
Now, we Ham's has a complex that we are better than CBer's. NOT TRUE! I've talked to guys on the radio who spent thousands of dollars on their radios, but puts up a G5RV. (I do like to pick on this antenna!) They complain to me on 75m. "Andy you are 40 over and you say you are only using your TS440 and 100W?"
I use a bazooka on 75m. It's a damn good antenna.
I hear new hams asking about what type of antenna they should put up for HF. I first ask them, "Where and who do you want to talk too?" This is very important. After they tell me. My next question is, "How much room you have?"
Here's an example or two:
If you like to chase DX on 20m. A beam up 75 feet will do wonders. A dipole a few feet off the ground, you'll have a very hard time.
If you like to rag chew on 75m at night with your buddies. A vertical is NOT the best choice ,nor is a G5RV!
In conclusion, people needs to do their homework. I've heard many bias people on the air about antennas. I don't like QST because you will read how good the G5RV is. Then turn to the back ad see ads for that same antenna. EXPERIMENT! Did you know by adding a wire under your dipole. You can increase your signal without an amp?!
Before spending thousands more on an amp. Take a look at your antenna(s). Improve those first. Do your homework. What may work for me may not work for you.
I do not claim to be a know it all. I am also still learning after 20 years of being in this hobby. Don't be afraid to ask someone. Ask that old timer. Ask that DXer. Ask that contester. Most important, listen carefully to those who have the strongest signals on the band. You just may learn something from them! :bbh:
Andy KF4JQD
Back in my CB radio days, people came to me about amplifiers. The first thing I asked them is, Can I look at your set up? What I found startled me. They had a very nice radio connected to the cheapest and worst antennas on the market! I told them the cheapest way to go is get a good antenna. I always recommend the Radio Shack Deluxe mag-mount (Yes I said Radio Shack!). K40's, or Wilson's. They were much happier after they replaced their antenna!
Now, we Ham's has a complex that we are better than CBer's. NOT TRUE! I've talked to guys on the radio who spent thousands of dollars on their radios, but puts up a G5RV. (I do like to pick on this antenna!) They complain to me on 75m. "Andy you are 40 over and you say you are only using your TS440 and 100W?"
I use a bazooka on 75m. It's a damn good antenna.
I hear new hams asking about what type of antenna they should put up for HF. I first ask them, "Where and who do you want to talk too?" This is very important. After they tell me. My next question is, "How much room you have?"
Here's an example or two:
If you like to chase DX on 20m. A beam up 75 feet will do wonders. A dipole a few feet off the ground, you'll have a very hard time.
If you like to rag chew on 75m at night with your buddies. A vertical is NOT the best choice ,nor is a G5RV!
In conclusion, people needs to do their homework. I've heard many bias people on the air about antennas. I don't like QST because you will read how good the G5RV is. Then turn to the back ad see ads for that same antenna. EXPERIMENT! Did you know by adding a wire under your dipole. You can increase your signal without an amp?!
Before spending thousands more on an amp. Take a look at your antenna(s). Improve those first. Do your homework. What may work for me may not work for you.
I do not claim to be a know it all. I am also still learning after 20 years of being in this hobby. Don't be afraid to ask someone. Ask that old timer. Ask that DXer. Ask that contester. Most important, listen carefully to those who have the strongest signals on the band. You just may learn something from them! :bbh:
Andy KF4JQD