OK, I boxed myself in with a QRP transmitter-Directional Beam Antenna?

20 watts is fine for the digital modes. I've had QSOs over most of the world other than the extreme antipodes using PSK31 and wire dipole antennas. I'd suggest you try the SignaLink USB interface because most modern computers lack a RS-232 port. There are adapters available, but I've had some trouble with the drivers—always a problem with Windows.

Sell your Argonaut.
Buy a TS 570DG(S)
about $600 on the current market.

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Originally Posted by nx6d

Really. Put it on the other side of the house!

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Not in the front yard, that's a definite no-no!

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Originally Posted by KJ6BSO

20 watts is fine for the digital modes. I've had QSOs over most of the world other than the extreme antipodes using PSK31 and wire dipole antennas. I'd suggest you try the SignaLink USB interface because most modern computers lack a RS-232 port. There are adapters available, but I've had some trouble with the drivers—always a problem with Windows.

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I'm using an old IBM T23 with xubuntu, no issues with RS-232 ports :)

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Originally Posted by KJ3N

The first question is, how high is the current antenna?

The second question is, will the new antennas be higher than the current one?

There's nothing wrong with QRP (which is actually 5 watts, if you want to be picky) if you have the right antenna system.

Propagation is the primary factor of success, but the antenna is a very close second.

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I have giant oak trees all around the property. My current dipole is about 35 to 40 ft up. The trees are around 60 to 80 feet tall.

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Originally Posted by KK4AMI

I have giant oak trees all around the property. My current dipole is about 35 to 40 ft up. The trees are around 60 to 80 feet tall.

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Then, before you spend time and energy on another antenna, get the current one up to that height. Be sure to get it set up as a flat-top, not an inverted vee. Also make sure that the wire runs as close to N/S as possible. You may find that your 20 watts now works much better.

If the antennas you proposed to put up are not going to be any higher than the current 102-footer, I wouldn't expect much improvement in your situation.

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Originally Posted by KK4AMI

I'm using an old IBM T23 with xubuntu, no issues with RS-232 ports :)

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In that case, you can probably homebrew your own interface. If you've got a couple of old POTS modems around the joint, cannibalize them for the 600:600 audio transformers; the rest is just common stuff that even Radio Shack still sells.

If I had allot of room and more than 1 tall tree, I'd put up a Full Wave Loop. As large and as high as I could. Put a 4:1 balun at the feedpoint, feed that with coax. You'll need a tuner. My buddy KA9NRT has a loop cut for 40M and that thing has always amazed me. Check it out ----> http://n1su.com/loop.html

I've been seriously contemplating a 20M Delta loop here. My yard is big enough for a fullwave loop on 80M but I don't have any supports :( (Only 1 tall tree).

I have a homebrew Sound Card Interface around here somewhere...... If I can find it, you can have it.

Well, if you decide to sell the Argonaut... :whistle:

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Originally Posted by KA9MOT

If I had allot of room and more than 1 tall tree, I'd put up a Full Wave Loop. As large and as high as I could. Put a 4:1 balun at the feedpoint, feed that with coax. You'll need a tuner. My buddy KA9NRT has a loop cut for 40M and that thing has always amazed me. Check it out ----> http://n1su.com/loop.html

I've been seriously contemplating a 20M Delta loop here. My yard is big enough for a fullwave loop on 80M but I don't have any supports :( (Only 1 tall tree).

I have a homebrew Sound Card Interface around here somewhere...... If I can find it, you can have it.

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The full wave loop is omni directional right? If I had 100 to 1000 Watts I'd be game. Since my little Argonaut only has 20 max, I need to throw it around carefully. That is why I was thinking about a directional horizontal Vee dipole. One pointed in each of the cardinal directions. I think I can get 3 dB gain that way.

Thank you very much for the offer of the Sound Card interface. I have that covered already. Now I'm trying to figure out what computer control software and PSK-31 software I want.