The choice of an antenna
Shopping might not be EASIER than in the pre-web days, but it sure makes for a well informed consumer. I’ve mentioned this before; no matter what you want to purchase (in the retail world), somewhere, someone, somehow has gone down the trail before you, and left enough stories of their stubbed toes to keep you watching where you tread.
I’m currently trying to revive an old hobby interest of mine, ham radio. I was licensed back in 1976, and still haven’t managed to forget all the tidbits of math and science that I had to learn before facing the government examiner. Although my antenna “farm” was taken down by the weather some years ago, and my antique radios have been put on a lower shelf, the desire to reach out to the rest of the world is still there.
The last few days have seen me dreaming about a new antenna. What to do? What to buy? Where to place it (these are physically rather large). I’m getting closer in my choice, mainly because the manufacturers now provide access to product manuals, and other hams are only too quick to praise/condemn and provide photographic support for their reasons.
The laws of physics control antenna design, and every choice has an equal tradeoff. Remember that old law in mathematics, where ab=ba (commutative law, I think)? Or how about reciprocity? I’ve pretty much committed myself (maybe I should be committed?) to a multi-band vertical, and since my experience has been with the Butternut product line I’ve been thinking seriously about the HF-9V. On the other hand, the Hy-gain DX-88 offers similar height and weight and cost, with the big difference coming in the coil vs capacitor tradeoff. We live where weather IS a factor, and I remember de-icing the coil to prevent structural failure. The DX-88 uses tube capacitors which could (in theory) shed the ice load a little better.
I’m waiting for feedback from a friend, who knows a friend, who… in short, I might get a report from an actual owner, in the area where I used to/will again live, instead of a short bit of fluff from someone who lives in a tropical world (are hurricanes worse than a sleet storm in March? I didn’t think so). When the decision has been made, I’ll call some store in Upper Canada and tell them to send the truck my way. There are no local ham stores any more…
