Ok, then right at perpendicular to the antenna is the strongest. with the 3db points at about 30 degrees. But remember that 3db is equal to 1/2 to 1 s-unit. So at 15 degrees off axis your signal would be 1/2 s-unit down from dead broadside.

Jim

A half square radiates broadside to the antenna, so if it is oriented NW/SE it will radiate NE/SW.

Jim

The tower here will be right outside the shack window. But it sure would be nice to be able to look at some kind of readout that would tell me how high the tower is right now (even in the dark). One of the locals here supposedly had a modified clock face that showed the tower height at a glance. But I have no idea how it was done. Something that would count and store turns of the winch shaft with logic to give an appoximate value would be workable. Calibration would be interesting though.

Jim

With all due respect....

He just asked for something to tell how far up it was. Not remote operation. Like, do I have to go out and run it down, or where did I leave it last time. I will be putting up a crank up shortly and would find this helpful myself. Even though I will be cranking manually at first.

Also, when I do get a motorized winch set up for it I will have the controls away from the tower so that I can see the whole thing and NOT be right under it when operating.

Jim

I have a HB 20M that I added the higher bands simply by adding parallel aluminum wire elements from the feedpoint  using standoff insulators made for TV feedline and 4 wire radials for each band. Have all 5 bands there. I have never done any more tuning than to get it close enough for the internal tuner to handle, but it does match easily on all 5 bands. Never played with a 40M element though as I had wires up for that (and now a Hy-Tower), but a lightweight loading coil or linear loading should be doable.

Jim

Has anyone out there ever used some type of reasonably priced relay to switch tap points and/or padding caps in a tank circuit? If so, what type of relay and how did it work?

AA4BP --Where are you coming from? Iridium is not amateur radio. You can say anything you want on it or use it for any business communications desired.

Jim

The only time the fan on my 570 comes on is after several minutes of greater than 50% duty cycle 100 watt RTTY. Not ever on SSB or CW and for sure not on receive.

Jim

Class C is mobile. A group of 3 or more would be class A. If there are 2 transmitters running at once you are 2A, even if 1 of them is V/UHF. To get a free U/VHF station you need 2 other transmitters. (1HF + 1 VHF = 2, 2HF + 1 VHF =2) Both rigs use you call.

Jim

Why add unnecessary complexity? the 570 has a relay built in that can handle 120v at 0.5 amps. Why bother with another gadget that can go wrong? I sure don't with my 570 & HB amp (12V @ milliamps keying).

Jim

His spelling is better than your math. He didn't tell you that your stupid idea was smart, so he is a smart ass. Look at the link, do the math, do not bracket or guy any bx tower if you want it to hold up more than it's self.

Jim

What happens if you feed both antennas with one feedline? High SWR on the mismatched antenna, not much power radiated from that one. Other antenna, low SWR most power radiated. If you are not running a lot of power or working with very low signal levels, what is the harm?

Jim

Depends on the vehicle. I used a Larson mount with the 270 antenna on a Mazda MPV and it worked ALMOST as good as a rubber duck inside the car. The factory tint was probably the problem. Wish I could tell you how to check ahead of time to tell if YOUR winsheild would work, but I don't know what to look for.

Jim

Any feedback on the Softrock receivers? Sounds like a cheap way to get one's feet wet. I might be willing to invest $20 to give it a try.

Try WB2WIK