Setting up I-maxx 2000, How can I set it up to be most efficient?

[JayMojave]

Hello Warren and PRCGUY: Great postings!

Using the 5/8 wavelength vertical antenna was what I was alo thinking, and the RCA 1937 paper (I think) that RCA published about ground plan radials that the FCC adopted.

I have a 5/8 wavelength ground plane antenna at about 30 feet at the bottom, and a 5 element yagi beam at about 60 Ft, that work quit well. I use the beam for rejection of strong stations out of the East so that I can hear the weaker stations out of the south pacific areas.

A 5/8 full blown lenth at 41 Feet for 20 meters on top of a 60 Foot tower worked so well I took it down as it was like shooting fish in a barrel, no fun, it worked to well. Guys in NY were asking to turn off my little 800 watt linear.

Again great posts.

Jay in the Mojave

 

[LtDoc]

"Ideal" height for an antenna depends on a lot of factors, the frequency of use, and just how practical is it to get the thing to whatever height. The 'best' height for YOU is the highest YOU can get the thing and stay practical. If that amounts to 15 - 20 feet, and that's the 'best' height YOU can manage, then that's YOUR 'ideal' height. Sure, 150 - 200 feet would be nicer, but who can do that? I wish I could!
The 'ideal' height also changes with the state of propagation. What would be great one day may not be so good the next (that's both higher and lower). Somewhere in all that there's a point where the feed line losses make more height impractical, just something else to think about. If I ever get something that high I'll be sure to tell everybody about it! (While I wipe all those 'alligator' tears off my cheeks. )
- 'Doc