good antenna

KC0UWS · #1 (**permalink**) 12-27-2006, 06:50 AM

Question: what would be a good DX antenna for 40 meter Amateur band? I have a Slinky on my balcony at 25 feet.

jonny290 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-27-2006, 03:49 PM

what's your property setup

for 40m best bet is a half wave dipole of course, 66 feet long, center fed
Quarter wave can also work, 33 feet with a good counterpoise or ground rod.

for rx i make do right now with a 102 inch CB whip through kenwood tuner. It doesn't have enough capture area to get high signal strength but i don't need a pinned s-meter to hear a signal.

I'm going to a G5rv at 20 feet this weekend, we'll see how that one works out

KC0UWS · #3 (**permalink**) 12-27-2006, 10:28 PM

Hi, I am in an apartment with an 8 foot x 4 foot balcony.

kb2vxa · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 01:10 AM

A Hamstick dipole maybe? A Screwdriver with a counterpoise? A wire strung out to a tree or hanging down the wall? What do you use for receiving? Cummon, you're not being very creative, use your noodle.

KC0UWS · #5 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 01:44 PM

What I use is a Slinky at 25 feet.

I did come up with a creative thing. I made an antenna similar to the Buddipole and it works quite well. Made some 40m CW contacts last night into the upper midwest.

KC0UWS · #6 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 01:54 PM

I am using a Slinky on my balcony

k9rzz · #7 (**permalink**) 12-30-2006, 03:12 PM

Are you after "DX" or just a good 'all around' antenna?

Got any rain gutters nearby that you could load up with a tuner? Even if you have to use a clip lead just on nights you are operating. Some sort of 40 meter mobile antenna might work well if you use that balcony as a ground. The 102 inch whip sounds like a winner, although you might have better luck with a center loaded antenna (less ground losses).

John K9RZZ

KC0UWS · #8 (**permalink**) 12-30-2006, 08:04 PM

I am after nothing but DX. Already WAS on 10 during the 10m contest.

k9rzz · #9 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 02:16 AM

<I am after nothing but DX. Already WAS on 10 during the 10m contest.>

Okay then. For that you need the lowest angle of radiation that you can get. So either get your horizontal antenna up real high (60 ft or more), or put up some sort of vertical that puts most of it's energy near the horizon. Verticals will work well if you give it a good ground, so mount it on metal if you can, and string radials if you can. If your antenna is short, then top load it if you can. Put effort into your ground system, it will pay off.

This may be out of reach for you at this time, but the BEST 40 meter DX antenna I ever had was a full wave loop, fed on the side (vertical polarization) with open wire feedline. It was strung between two tall trees and just attracted DX like a magnet. Calling CQ on 40 cw late at night would always wake up the VK's or PY's. I never worked so may Europeans on 80 meters! (fed it like a top loaded vertical).

The same goes for the other bands too. Go vertical with a GOOD ground.

John K9RZZ

KC0UWS · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9rzz

<I am after nothing but DX. Already WAS on 10 during the 10m contest.>

Okay then. For that you need the lowest angle of radiation that you can get. So either get your horizontal antenna up real high (60 ft or more), or put up some sort of vertical that puts most of it's energy near the horizon. Verticals will work well if you give it a good ground, so mount it on metal if you can, and string radials if you can. If your antenna is short, then top load it if you can. Put effort into your ground system, it will pay off.

This may be out of reach for you at this time, but the BEST 40 meter DX antenna I ever had was a full wave loop, fed on the side (vertical polarization) with open wire feedline. It was strung between two tall trees and just attracted DX like a magnet. Calling CQ on 40 cw late at night would always wake up the VK's or PY's. I never worked so may Europeans on 80 meters! (fed it like a top loaded vertical).

The same goes for the other bands too. Go vertical with a GOOD ground.

John K9RZZ

I live in an apartment, so a vertical won't help.

KC0UWS · #11 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 07:54 PM

Maybe on that small balcony of mine?

k9rzz · #12 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC0UWS

Maybe on that small balcony of mine?

Think of it this way. A horizontal antenna on 40 meters up 25 feet will throw most of it's energy up at 45 degrees or higher. A vertical antenna on 40 meters at 25 feet will throw most of it's energy around 30 degrees or lower. Which is better for DX?

John K9RZZ