Want to look at making a 75m Inverted V using unadilla 75M trap.

Center support will be no higher than 30ft - retractable pole.

In MI had a 75m In.V. total length was 119ft - no room here in back yard.

If using a Unadilla trap for 75M - how long wires would I need before & after trap?

Would like to be 20-25ft each total or shorter - each leg.

Only interested for 75m in 50-400 mile range.

Anyone made a short trap dipole using unadilla 75M trap?

Lowest band use of antenna would be 75M - mono band - no tuner.

Thanks K1WJ

Opinions on best screwdriver antenna for 40 & 80M? - would most likely ground mount in back yard with 16 ground radials +-.

Best value for cost? Manual tune is fine with me. Would also like one with longer whip, at least 8ft.

Thanks for the input......73 David K1WJ

If this is your only radio, go with the FT-857.

If you want to run QRP turn it down to 5 watts.

100 watts will come in handy most of the time.

Most Hams have more than 1 radio ( I have 3 HF rigs / 3 vhf/uhf rigs & 2 HT's) - get the QRP rig later.

But I must admit, I have been thinking about getting a FT-817ND for a few years now........

Catch you on the AIR WAVES..........73 K1WJ - ARIZONA

All set guys - AE5QB - thanks for the pics - I'm going to try it soon. 73 K1WJ - ARIZONA

Thanks, sounds good - I'll invest $60 & see how it goes. 73 K1WJ

Thanks W7KB -

Does the telescopic whip stay where you put it? It seems like it would move over time.

I would like to have something around 1/4 wave on 20m - that would be great, & low profile.

I will have my new house in Laveen AZ around mid March - let the games begin......CQ - CQ - CQ........73 K1WJ David

Thanks for the input.

I like the fact that it should show as long on swr adjustment.

I'll just cut whip short as required to get around 1.5:1.

Having the right tool to cut the whip makes it easy to deal with.

Going to move soon so looking forward to changing antenna system a little.

You can see present set up on QRZ.com - K1WJ 73

I would be surprised if it bent over - a 102in whip is 4ft+-longer.

I figured a 102in whip + lwr section of 10M hamstick & 4ft extender mast would be correct for 20m.

Because I know the whip for the 10m hamstick is 4-4.5ft - therefore the bottom section should be the other half of the 10m 1/4 wave.

So 8ft + 4ft + 4ft = 1/4 wave for 20M - 73 K1WJ David

WX7G - Thanks for reply.

Yeah I have a coax balun on my present set up.

In a few months - I will give this a shot.

Understand about 4 radials v.s. 1, I have now.

Maybe someone out there has done this exact set up. Chime in.

73 K1WJ David - SUNNY AZ

Presently have a 20m MFJ Hamtenna (20m hamstick design) ground mounted 2ft above the ground, with single 1/4 wave counterpoise also 2 ft off the ground held up by tripod on insulator side. Works decent - many stateside contacts - Japan & others. Live in Arizona HOA.

Wondering if anyone has tried:

Using a MFJ 1600T mast extender at 4.5ft plus lower section of 10m hamstick then on top a 102in whip.

This would give me a more true size 20m 1/4 wave vertical - total length would be 16-17 ft.

Moving soon and looking to make a more efficient 20m antenna - anyone try this? I think may be interesting to try.

73 K1WJ David

The reviews of the Mono Gaps here on eham seem decent.

That might be your best indicator - it appears that some operators have had some luck running more than 1 band on them, as stated in the reviews. I'm sure if you got one it would work fine for the designed band & maybe more.
Keep in mind with a Hustler 4-Btv - you can ground mount it & put as many radials as you want - if you only want 3 - just put 3.
Also this antenna is easy to mods for 12 & 17m - & both would be a full 1/4wave.
I had a Hustler 4BTV with 32 ground radials modified it for 12 & 17M - so had 10M/12M/15/17/20 &40M - total cost antenna with 12/17 modification & radials = Less than $160.
Keep in mind ground mounted, you can use radials where & lengths that fit your situation.
If you get a Mono Gap for what ever reason - "they look cool" - it will work fine.

73 K1WJ David

I'll expand a little - once you set Tuner function up in menu.

Touch tune button quickly to turn on.

Then hold tune button down until tuning starts.

Antenna needs to be 3:1 match or better to start out with.

If you get the technical manual you can get even more info. on manipulation of the hidden menu - be careful here.

It is a good idea to document each setting in the hidden menu - not all 450's will be the same in regards to these settings.

Join a Yahoo group on ft450 - lots of info.

73 David K1WJ

There is a setting on the FT450 in the menu - that selects tuner on - bypass on rcv or not.

Look at your manual at the various menu settings - you will find it.

Manual also states how to turn on tune & actual tuning operation - very easy.

I have had my FT450 for 3+ years - very happy - 73 K1WJ - David

Check out the MFJ website - they sell several long telescoping whips - could be bnc type end connectors.

Good luck - 73 - K1WJ - David

Contact Bob Heil at their web site - he might get back to you the same day - or info. may be posted there.
I have contacted Bob H. through e-mail a couple times - always got back to me quickly. 73 K1WJ David