Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?

eHam.net Forum : DXing : Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?

Forum Help

1-10 of 10 messages

Page 1 of 1

Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KY6R on May 7, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I've used a 4 element 40M Bruce Array where its bottom was about 10' above ground, and that antenna was amazing on 40M and (fed as a vertical dipole on one of the inner elements and going to an SGC 230 remote antenna tuner) also was a barn burner on 12M. About 4.2 db gain if I remember correctly. The other was the K1WA Array - where I had 4 20M sloping dipoles hung from a simple 36' Channel Master stel mast (which Radio Shack used to sell). The gain was also 4.2 db, and this antenna easily worked as well as the 2 element SteppIR yagi or the C3SS that I had a few years back. I have never been able to get a Bobtail or Half square to work like the Bruce Array. I also have never found a 20M half square or 20M Bobtail work all that well - the half square and Bobtail seem to be better as low band antennas. (And yes, I did have 60 radials in the test antenna systems).

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KB9CRY on May 7, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
4 Square

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KB9CRY on May 7, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Never heard of a "Bruce Array". Care to elaborate?

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KY6R on May 8, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
The Bruce Array was developed in the 1920's at Bell Labs in NJ, and was originally used for radio astronomy. Rudy Severns, N6LF has a great article posted on the net - Google the Bruce Array for details. The antenna is also covered briefly in the ARRL Handbook. It is a vertically polarized single wire that is folded into semi-square "bays" - each bay is 1.05 w.l square. I put up a 40M Bruce Array a few years back - and a 4 element version with 4.2 db gain - where the bottom was up about 10 feet or so - and it was about the width of a G5RV. I fed it as a vertical dipole on one of the center elements. I've put up aluminum 4 squares and also have phased 2 verticals in an end fire / broadside config - using a very successful Christman feed. But bang for the buck, and simplicity sake - the Bruce Array was a much easier way to go. Of course - it was aimed NE - SE for best DX-ing, and you have to choose your broadside direction.

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KY6R on May 8, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
For the first time ever, I have a simple 82' doublet up 60 feet with loading coils at the point where the antenna is a 40M dipole. (Yes this is the same as the Alpha Delta DX-DD, but made from junk box parts). Anyway, once I raised it from the original 40 foot to 60 foot height - I couldn't believe how much better it works. That 20 feet really made a huge difference. Its fed with ladder line to a super heavy duty DX Engineering 4:1 balun - and then coax to the shack. I've decided on my other antenna - it will be a W8JK 20M antenna made from wire and two 8' pieces of 1X1" teak - or other hard wood - varnished for UV and rain protection. It will be hung "hammock style" between two trees and pointed in the NE - SW direction - which is what I need to do for the last 8 towards DXCC Honor Roll. This will give me 3 DB gain. So - back to wire only antennas and 200 watts max - which is what I used to get the first 291 entities. I've always preferred wire - its a challenge - but a heck of a lot of fun.

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KA3HIE on May 8, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Rich, I enjoy working with wire antennas too. Have tried various forms and shapes. Ive found the simple Lazy H to be quite effective and a cinch to build. Ive achieved HR on cw with only wires and 500w, but this was over time. Give this ant some consideration, or email me for more info. Hands down, this is one Id always want in my arsenal. 73 Rob KA3S ex ka3hie

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KY6R on May 9, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I might look at the Lazy H for 40 meters. I have posted pictures of my latest wire setup at: http://www.flickr.com/ky6r and the antennas are as good as the best wire or vertical and yagi (2 element SteppIR) combo I have ever had. Getting the simple loaded doublet up 60 feet has really out-performed any vertical I've had on 80, 40 and 30, and the W8JK array is even better than the SteppIR 2 element. Its side rejection is as good as you can get, and since I need the last 8 DXCC entities in the NE / SW direction - I like the fact that its bi-directional.

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by K6SGH on May 10, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Try a Moxon Antenna. Very simple to build and they work great. www.moxonantennaproject.com for info. 73, k6sgh

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by KY6R on May 11, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I have a posting on the moxonantennas.com website. I've built and used a 20M and 17M version - using Cabelas Crappie Poles, and they were excellent. At this point in my chase - I only need NE - SW facing antenna, and the W8JK fits the bill perfectly. I wanted a fixed, bi-directional antenna with gain. Steve - thanks for the TX5C DX-ped - great work!

RE: Best Wire Antenna (with gain) for DX-ing?	Reply
by W4WGA on May 14, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I second the vertical Moxon for a great portable. I set up a 20m on a pair of 33' Jackite poles on the beach in VP2V last year and caused a big ruckus. Actually about 28' as the top two sections are to flimsy. Bottom legs were only about 2' off the sand but it still worked great. Total weight about 12 lb., packs down to airline legal size and goes up single handed in about 10 minutes. Wide front lobe, low take off and almost nothing on the back side. A pair of bright orange Dacron cord guys about 2/3 the way up on each pole held it against 30 knot gusts. You do have to watch your near field exposure though because it attracts an awfull lot of gawkers. :-)

Page 1 of 1

Next Topic: AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! I AM SO BORED!!!!!!!!
Previous Topic: FINALLY(!) Another Cycle 24 Spot!

Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.

Check our help page for help using Forum, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the Forum Manager.