Radial off my Diamond discone

[GKolo]

How quick do i need to get the radial back in my antenna > Is it going to make a huge difference ?
It fell off in a wind storm lastnight and its kind of a project to drop the antenna so i can work on it.

[LtDoc]

I would think that putting it back should be done as soon as 'practical'/possible. I doubt if there's a huge absolute need for it immediately though. This time of year, where I live, would probably mean waiting till it got warmer... YMMV, naturally.
- 'Doc

[Pape]

depending how many you lost, the more missing the less your dicone will perform.

[Rt169Radio]

I don't think one radial will make a difference, but if you can get it back on I would do it.

[GKolo]

Only one is off, But it is such a pain to lean the mast over to fix it.
If it ever quits raining i will get motivated and start on it.

[ridgescan]

If you're like me, there will be a one man radial band in your brain-first he will march around with a baton, then he will run ear to ear crashing symbols. Then he will practice his latest drum solo while tooting a kazoo. Until you fix it

[KI4VBR]

Originally Posted by ridgescan

If you're like me, there will be a one man radial band in your brain-first he will march around with a baton, then he will run ear to ear crashing symbols. Then he will practice his latest drum solo while tooting a kazoo. Until you fix it

I cracked up reading that, but you know.....it is true at times! It is like one of those songs you just cant get out of your head.....and its even worse because you hate that particular song.

As far as the antenna, I cant remember if all of the radials are the same length on a discone. If that is the case, I think you may not be able to notice the difference in signals.....even using an S-meter.

If you were transmitting through the discone, it would be a different story. You would probably notice it more on the lower bands like 6 meters, allthough your SWR may only have a slight change.

Vince

[prcguy]

One radial will probably go unnoticed on tx or rx. A Disconed needs about 16 top and 16 bottom elements to get the maximum performance or similar to one made of sheet metal. The common designs with only 6 or 8 radials on the top and bottom are a compromise to start with so don't hurt yourself trying to fix it in a hurry.
prcguy

[GKolo]

Its all the inside work that is going to suck, I have to unload the desk with books and radios on it to get to the corner where the coax comes thru the wall, I have to make sure it gets outside safe, take the coax out of all the little holder up things, droping the mast will take 2 minutes, another 2 minutes to put the radial back on, 10 minutes to check the connections and then put it all back together....the desk part is the worst.

[Pape]

next time put a preamp at the jonction of the mast and the house, easier that way :P

[GKolo]

i was going to but didnt have a way to power it.

[GKolo]

Ok i got energetic today and fixed the radial, I also moved it about 18 inches higher on the mast, So i should be back in service. I was going to put my homebrew antenna on the mast just under the Diamond but the elements wouldnt line up right to make it work.

[LtDoc]

Hey, you got part of it done, that's good. Now back to the drawing board for that other antenna. There's always something, ain't there?
- 'Doc

[GKolo]

I had the homebrew up but there is a tree limb to close for comfort.