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Question

What is your favorite type of antenna?

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Survey Comments

Skywire Loop beats them all

I decided to put up a 40 meter Skywire Loop and could not believe how much better it is than a dipole and even a beam. It requires a total of about 145 feet of wire in a square configuration of 36 feet on each leg. I have no idea why I never tried this antenna in past years but just happened to hear about it from a station in Italy. DX is a breeze now plus stateside.
Posted by K3ROJ on 2009-11-21

well....If i had to choose only one to use it would be a hohpl loop as LB Cebik refers to them. around 2 wavelengths perimeter on 80m.fed with open wire ladderline. the advantages outway the disadvantages imo.firstly the even harmonics and low feedline loss in conjunction with very workable radiation resistance..and yes this antenna will offer a considerably lower toa from 0.15-0.25wavelenth height than a dipole albeit at a little less gain when compared to the same dipole at equal heights.this equates to a very good return for the money spent...but i must say the dipole holds its own when the two are compared at higher heights.In the end the polar pattern of the hohpl wins... sorta, as they are compared above 1 wavelength.As for antenna gain once again the hohpl begins to pull away from the dipole at above 1-wavelength of height.feed the hohpl in the middle of the side that faces away from the area of most interest,because there is a little more feild strength going that direction.got a little more wordy than i intended The hohpl loop.
Posted by W5WSS on 2007-03-19

WINDOM

I use a Windom and it does verry well on most bands - for 20M I use an inverted V, for 10M I use a 5/8 Vertical...
Posted by VK2TLG on 2006-04-06

Windom

I like this no-tune, multiband HF antenna.
Posted by W2CBK on 2006-03-26

I vote

Loop
Posted by W4HWD on 2006-03-12

Gotta Love That Loop

I use a full wave Delta Loop cut for 75M. The apex and feed point is situated on the top peak of my roof. Each side of the antenna slopes down to one of the corners of the backyard fence. Then it runs along the backside of the fence to complete the loop. The Apex is about 30' above ground and the other two points are about 12' above ground. I know, it sounds unconventional. But hey, I have a medium sized lot, live in a CC&R neighborhood, and have been getting away with a full wave delta loop for over a year now. Never look the gift hourse in the mouth, and it is not a bad multi-bander to boot.
Posted by W5CUL on 2006-02-16

Quads, umm, loops???

I'm thinking Quads were refering to 'cubical quads'. In a more general sense, let's discuss 'loops', be they circular, triangular (delta loops), square, rectangular, hexagonal, or somewhere in between. Quiet, better than dipoles, easy to adapt to your mounting situation (see above list), and PROVEN. If you have only the means to erect one hf antenna (and I've done reeeealy well w/ these on VHF as well), put up some variety of loop, if you're looking for best general purpose antenna. Now if you looking to work some specific DX location without an expensive yagi/rotator/tower, see 'wire beams' book by someone like William Orr W6SAI, et. al.

gl es 73 de Mark KX8XX
Posted by KX8XX on 2006-01-30

Why I voted Vertical

I don't have a vertical at the moment, but my fondest memories are from using a 14AVQ on 15 meters as a novice. I love inverted Vee's for their simplicity, and Yagi's for their performance. But I'll never forget how much fun I had with that 14AVQ.
Posted by WA0TTN on 2006-01-29

it depends on........

I would like to have one of those hf antenna arrays for big contesting, living in a big house, but i only have a dipole and a hf yagi at 5 ft. from the roof on my flat in a 4th floor building....... that is what i have , and that is what i dream for..
Posted by EA4ZK on 2006-01-28

Multiband Dipole

I have been using a multiband dipole antenna since I was first licensed in 1987. To date I have worked over 250 different countries and accomplished DXCC in CW, SSB and soon in RTTY as well with 91 QSL cards confirmed. The multiband dipole is for 15, 20 and 40 meters. With a tuner I can work it on 17 and 30 meters as well.
Posted by WC2C on 2006-01-28

it depends on........

I would like to have one of those hf antenna arrays for big contesting, living in a big house, but i only have a dipole and a hf yagi at 5 ft. from the roof on my flat in a 4th floor building....... that is what i have , and that is what i dream for..
Posted by EA4ZK on 2006-01-28

Multiband dipole

I have a 135 foot dipole fed in the center with open wire line. The line goes to the bottom of the tower, and then connected to twin RG8 coax cables used as a ballanced line. This then goes to my antenna tuner in the shack. The coax cables are under the ground the complete way to the Shack from the tower. This dipole hangs at an apex of 110 feet and covers all the HF bands quite well. It will out talk my Cushcraft A4 beam off the ends of the dipole. My A4 is at 40'.. Jimmy:) WX9DX
Posted by WX9DX on 2006-01-28

Favorite Antenna

I voted for the Duck since it was the closest choice to my favorite antenna, the ubiquitous but much maligned 50 ohm dummy load.
Perfect 1:1 match DC to UHF, no QRM, no power line noise, no static crashes, no BPL, and best of all no CC&R's !
And...... I can wax loquaciously non-stop
on 7198.6 sunrise to sunset.
Who could ask for better performance ?
de KF6ZZ
Posted by KF6ZZ on 2006-01-27

Vertical Loops & X-Zepps!

I have recently put up a pair of full wave loops, as triangles, flat top across, fed at the bottom with 450 ohm ladder line. They are oriented 90 degrees away from each other's plane.

I put them up @60' using a 9' surf pole

The results are 3-4 S-units on 40 meters for a single element! They also act as superior SWL antennas on multiple bands of 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 & 15MHz.

I have a broadbanded X-Zepp @ 50' for 75M. 2 legs on each side of the center, one set cut to 65', one set cut to 52', fed with ladder line. Works better than straight Zepp. Kicks butt on 40M, with obvious gain over loops!!!

Recently added an inverted L for 160M, against a 3' cyclone fence counterpoise, fed with RG-8X. Good results & had it up and tuned in under 30 minutes. I was not going to put in much time for a band that I can only use a couple months a year.
Posted by K4RAF on 2006-01-27

Yagi

Any of the antennas can transmit louder with QRO but only the directional antenna helps with receiving through QRM.
Posted by K8NQC on 2006-01-26

Yagi

Any of the antennas can transmit louder with QRO but only the directional antenna helps with receiving through QRM.
Posted by K8NQC on 2006-01-26

loop

Full wave loops rule. If i can hear them i can work them and no rotator to repair. I have used both coax and open wire with similar results but the XYL appreciates the nearly invisible wires.
Posted by KC4YVJ on 2006-01-26

Vertical

I love 160 so I wound up vertical all the way
plus I have a butternut verticals that I use for 40 and 30 meters Beverage for recieve
Great for the Dx and contests
Posted by KR4OW on 2006-01-25

Antenna

Due to restrictions and all I have a 20' flagpole insulated at the bottom in PVC pipe and fed with a SGC tuner at the base. Works pretty good and much better than nothing.
Posted by K9LWI on 2006-01-25

BIG

I voted for BIG. As another said before me, it depends on how much room one has. Unfortunately I'm still an apartment dweller but at least I've got attic access so I'm using a home-brew G5RV jr. with 1/2 of it bent 90 deg. I may be moving into a smaller place with no attic so I will probably have to go stealth with an outdoor wire. I love a challenge but I can't wait til I buy my 1st house and I can put up a full-size G5RV or a windom fed with twin lead (less expensive than ladder line & just a good).
Posted by N0XMZ on 2006-01-25

Long Wire

I have a 524.8 ft. ( 160 M) long wire up 70 ft as an inverted Vee. It works great for everything above 20 M, and really varies with propagation between this and the 3 el. Yagi up abt 5 feet higher on 10 - 20. I've been comptemplating closing it up and making a delta loop, just need the time/wx to do it. As far as loss one should remember that it takes 4x power to give you 1 db s-meter.
Posted by AA0TT on 2006-01-24

Zeppelins above us!

Extended double Zepp on 75M fed with homebrew ladderline!
Posted by N4KDF on 2006-01-24

Dipole

Your kidding, right? You can take your dipole with me to any remote island and I'll be at 238,910 QSO's while your working on breaking a 100. I'll even leave off the radials-
Posted by N0AH on 2006-01-23

Vertical

Vertical's rule!!!
Posted by N0AH on 2006-01-23

Vertical

I think Verticles rule!, I just love the way they look, espically on cars. Long live verticals!!!!

The more on a car the better it looks!!
Posted by KI4HNN on 2006-01-23

Favorite

It was not on the list but my favorite HF antennas for 160 - 30 meters is the 1/2 sloper.
Posted by K3UD on 2006-01-23

Rubber Duck!!!

I love my rubber duck when I am taking a bath... oh wait... wrong type... :)


SO far I prefer a dipole... but I am new to this... :)


Posted by KE7EDW on 2006-01-23

titan DX

I don't see much on this antenna. GAP TitanDX. ....are they as good as others say???........Ron...KC2LNB
Posted by KC2LNB on 2006-01-22

titan DX

I don't see much on this antenna. GAP TitanDX. ....are they as good as others say???........Ron...KC2LNB
Posted by KC2LNB on 2006-01-22

My Favorite

I do a lot of portable ops. so my choice for DX is the W3FF Buddipole. I own a number of them and use them at home as well as on the road with an IC-746 (non-pro). The quality just can't be beat.

73, Dan
Posted by N1GXC on 2006-01-22

My Favorite

I do a lot of portable ops. so my choice for DX is the W3FF Buddipole. I own a number of them and use them at home as well as on the road with an IC-746 (non-pro). The quality just can't be beat.

73, Dan
Posted by N1GXC on 2006-01-22

Random Wire

More specifically a 1/2 wave wire hanging from a tree branch and a 1/4 wave counterpoise attached to the tuner - pure magic
Posted by AB7JK on 2006-01-21

Antennas

If it gets you on the air, its a good antenna no matter what band or configuration! Thats my opinion and I am sticking to it !
Posted by K6DXC on 2006-01-21

favorite ant.

Dipole and then Yagi, But a yagi is just a multi ele. Dipole So there ya go.However random wire's are fun. And you can't beat a BIG ant. Tall anyhow depending on the band .
Posted by N9LJV on 2006-01-21

Favorite type of Antenna

Well, let's see, I have a Cushcraft A-3 beam, a Cushcraft six meter beam, a Cushcraft 220 beam, a Cushcraft 2/440 beam, then I have a Hustler 6BTV vertical, two 4BTV's verticals(one is a spare, the other is for camping), a Ringo 220 vertical, Comet 2/440 vertical and a 75/80 inverted wire hanging from a tree. Everything but the wire is ontop of my garage. I just purchased two M squared beams, one a 2 meter and the other a 440 both for satellite operations(neither up yet). So I say take your choice and you will probably guess the right answer.

73's NØmud
Posted by N0MUD on 2006-01-21

Favourite antenna

Depends what for. 160m local stuff? 2m DXing? Very short range mounted on a pacemaker for wireless telemetry at 403MHz?

Far too general a question.
Posted by G3RZP on 2006-01-20

vert, but big horiz loop 2nd

A multiband vertical like the Butternut or BTV series is my vote for best all-around, but my second is definitely the biggest (and highest) possible horizontal loop. My old 5 mHz horizontal loop at 20' (it just tuned up there) was my best antenna on 10 meters - the radiation angle was so low - my almost never more than 5 watt station racked up hundreds of QSOs in contest after contest.
Best rx & 73 de kt8k - Tim
Posted by KT8K on 2006-01-20

REALLY WEIRD DIPOLE

265 foot fed with 300 ohm tv wire. Loads like a champ on 15-160! 10 is a bit flaky but it gets by. It's between 2 monster trees, but I am the lowest point, surronded by mountains (in North GA, Not Too big ;-)

80 gets a great sig to the gang down at SKYWARN.
Posted by KB2SEO on 2006-01-20

Yagi and Dipole

Yagi is a type of Dipole.
Posted by KC0LUL on 2006-01-20

Yagi and Dipole

Yagi is a type of Dipole.
Posted by KC0LUL on 2006-01-20

Yagi and Dipole

Yagi is a type of Dipole.
Posted by KC0LUL on 2006-01-20

Full wave loops, as high as possible, with vertical polarization. KK7WN
Posted by KK7WN on 2006-01-19

GPs and Yagis

Still have good luck with a 30+ yr old Mosley CL-33 yagi. But was amazed with the performance at our cottage with a 40m ground plane hung from a massive oak with four radials at about 15' above ground. Feed it with open wire feeder/tuner and worked the world with a tired old ts-130. Highly recommended!
Posted by N9CYS on 2006-01-18

favorite antenna

anything made from MFJ!!!!
Posted by KI6ADA on 2006-01-18

favorite antenna

anything made from MFJ!!!!
Posted by KI6ADA on 2006-01-18

favorite Antenne

Here it is well known to every ham that
1)We hams generally have limited space.
2)We need to radiate maximum from our Tx

I would like to conclude here that Most suitable and most efficient antenne is best one among all. This may vary ham to ham depending upon situations.

Dinesh Patel
Posted by RADIOPATEL on 2006-01-17

Quad = Loop

At least that's how I made my choice. Yes, a big multi-element quad is a super performer, though difficult to keep in the air in some climates. (They don't like ice storms.) A single element quad (or delta) loop gives a lot of bang-for-the-buck, especially when fed with ladder line. I've used horizontal quad loops (low & high) as well as delta loops. With ladder line feed they play well on harmonic frequencies, though not sub-harmonic. (i.e. playing a 40 meter loop on 80 meters. Has anyone managed to do this?)
Posted by K3YD on 2006-01-17

BIG! BIGGER!

If it survives the winter, IT AIN'T BIG ENOUGH!!!

:-)

73
Dan


--
K9ZF /R no budget Rover ***QRP-l #1269
Check out the Rover Resource Page at: <http://www.qsl.net/n9rla>
List Administrator for: InHam+grid-loc+ham-books
Posted by K9ZF on 2006-01-17

Loop vers. dipoles.

270 feet of number 12 fed with 100 feet of homemade number 12 spaced 6 inches apart using pvc pipe as the spacers. The loop is at 40 feet in a triangle but it works just as good even at 20 feet. I've cut dipoles for individual bands and put them in free space at the same height as the loop and the loop "always" beats the heck out of anything i put up against it. I also love my lightning bolt 5band 2element quad at 65 feet. I've worked japan though barefoot with the triangle on 20meters. As for quads and ice, i talked with several stations in the north that said the lightning bolt always stood up to the wx just fine. I worked one guy in Florida that had one which had went through two twisters without a problem so lightning bolt was the one for me. No bad ice here in wv anyway. Its a pileup buster too. 73's John
Posted by WR8D on 2006-01-17

Loop vers. dipoles.

270 feet of number 12 fed with 100 feet of homemade number 12 spaced 6 inches apart using pvc pipe as the spacers. The loop is at 40 feet in a triangle but it works just as good even at 20 feet. I've cut dipoles for individual bands and put them in free space at the same height as the loop and the loop "always" beats the heck out of anything i put up against it. I also love my lightning bolt 5band 2element quad at 65 feet. I've worked japan though barefoot with the triangle on 20meters. As for quads and ice, i talked with several stations in the north that said the lightning bolt always stood up to the wx just fine. I worked one guy in Florida that had one which had went through two twisters without a problem so lightning bolt was the one for me. No bad ice here in wv anyway. Its a pileup buster too. 73's John
Posted by WR8D on 2006-01-17

The 1st ant I built when I was a novice was a nice 10m dipole which I still have. I built a 165' long wire had it @ my duplex & could tune it 15m on down with my knwd ts 940 I made alot of contacts with that ant. We since moved & I have built a ladder line loop thats in my basement it wrks gd on all bands but when spring comes up goes the 2 50' towers the quad & yes my 165' long wire. So to ans the question I prefer wire antennas. 73's Dan-N9SWA
Posted by N9SWA on 2006-01-17

missing choice

My favorite antenna is a large horizontal loop, balanced-fed. I was sorry to not see it included among the choices (unless "big" was meant to cover it!)
Posted by K3ESE on 2006-01-16

Loop SkyWire

Still the best kept secret in ham radio. It is the EASIEST AND BEST wire antenna. Read QST Nov '85, pages 20 through 22, if you REALLY want the BEST wire antenna. I've run them in North Carolina and Kentucky. This one works 6M through 160M. AND it works EVEN BETTER, if you mount your auto-tuner on a pole outside at the feedpoint. It IS NOT just for CLOSE-IN work. I get an awful lot of "what kind of linear are you running"? My reply? Just 100 watts!
Posted by N4VNV on 2006-01-16

FAN DIPOLE!

Fan dipole laying flat on the roof. Its:

1) low profile.
2) efficent
3) effective.

W9WHE
Posted by W9WHE-II on 2006-01-16

YAGI

GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN.
Posted by K9HZ on 2006-01-16

Depends on the Band

=> If you're working HF, a wire is fine -- as is a yagi. However, dipoles are rather impractical for some HF bands.
=> If you're working VHF, forget (random) wire -- and go with a dipole, quad or yagi.

**What do you guys think is best for 6M?**
I use a moxon, but am open to suggestions.
Posted by KI4GPX on 2006-01-16

Depends on the Band

=> If you're working HF, a wire is fine -- as is a yagi. However, dipoles are rather impractical for some HF bands.
=> If you're working VHF, forget (random) wire -- and go with a dipole, quad or yagi.

**What do you guys think is best for 6M?**
I use a moxon, but am open to suggestions.
Posted by KI4GPX on 2006-01-16

Everything works

Rubber duckie fed with 1-5/8" Heliax, atop 360 foot tower. Preferably installed on a high mountaintop with a 100 mile horizon.






Posted by WB2WIK on 2006-01-16

Good 6 Meter Antenna

A good 6 meter antenna beside a beam,Is a 6 meter loop or a 40 born meter loop ant and if you dont think a 40 meter loop will work on 6 meters.Boy o boy where was you born.A 40 meter loop works great on 6 meters,We have use them and worked alot of grids on 6 meters......
Posted by N2BR on 2006-01-16

Discone

Say! What is wrong with a discone antennea?
I have been using one since 1998 on 2m & 440 for years now and 6ms as well and I have
talked to stations as far as Minnesota on 6m
when propagation was good.
Posted by KE7MBL on 2006-01-16

Mine's bigger than yours...

I prefer working the ham w/ an indoor antenna over a ham with a six over six over six stacked array. It's much more fun to work a stealth antenna.

Yesterday I worked a guy w/ a screwdriver popping out the top of his patio sun shade...now that's fun!

73 John K7FD
Posted by K7FD on 2006-01-16

Dipole Vs all others

So simple to make and get up and on the air,Sure I would like to have a Quad or a Yagi but for now the dipole cut to the proper freq's do as well as can be expected.
I really prefer to use a loop with a tuner but it was not listed
Posted by AE4NR on 2006-01-15

Dipole vs All Others

For my money a dipole like the G5RV is JUNK. If you cut individual dipoles for each band, then you have a winner!!! With the G5RV there is a HUGH loss of power while tuning thru the bands. If you start with 100 watts, you will likely end up with around 30 watts on some bands.
Posted by N0YG on 2006-01-15

Yagi for sure

Bill NA1SS copied yesterday (and worked)on 437.550mhz with a 21ele tonna
www.qsl.net/ei5fk/wavs/na1ss hb9irm 437.wav
I use yagi's on 2/70/6 and also have an old TA-33snr for the HF bands when I get an urge to operate there
Charles
Posted by EI5FK on 2006-01-15

Full Wave Loop!

You missed the full wave loop as an antenna category. It is my favorite antenna. I have used one for 80 meters in the past and I have a 40 meter loop in use now at this QTH. The 80 meter version I used was horizontal, only about 15-20 feet above ground but it tuned up well on all bands and worked great! Simple and effective! Try it!

Dick, K1HC
Posted by K1HC on 2006-01-15

Yagi

For many years I had yagi antennas and was very happy with them. Now that we have a rather "gypsy" lifestyle, it's kind of tough to carry around a tower, rotor and antenna. I've tried verticals w/radials, resonate dipoles, long wires and loops but was not pleased. Now I'm using a TNT 10-40 meter windom about 15 feet up and I'm amazed with it's performance.

I am not affiliated with TNT in any way or manner, I just like the antenna!
Posted by N2UM on 2006-01-15

Type of antenna

It totally depends upon your local QTH. What is possible and what not?
I think in Europe we mostly are due to a compromise antenna and stick to an all bander preferably fed with open feeder. The remark about powerloss . Powerloss is not that important. There is hardly any difference between 100 and 40 Watts RF. I myself most of the time work 5 upto 10 Watts and make DX ofcourse using CW cause that is the secret, using the right kind of modulation !!
Happy hunting
Posted by PA3ALX on 2006-01-15

Basic, simple, resonant = Dipole

Just the best for the money. Forget the tuners, forget those beams that cost more than a new rig. A dipole or inverted vee works wonders while providing low construction costs.

And that's why we sell 'em....

73, Bill - WA8MEA
http://HamRadioFun.com
Posted by WA8MEA on 2006-01-15

Good old random wire

I spend many hours experimenting with antennas, but if I were pressed on the matter I would have to say that my experience with a long, high random wire antenna, a good antenna tuner, and a rig will take my signals anywhere I want them to go.
Posted by AI2IA on 2006-01-15

vertical/loop

Well i could not vote for two lol. i voted for the vertical , i have limited space here abt 3/4 of an acre & managed a pair of phased verts for 80mtrs (my favorite band). I also have a full wave 80 mtrs vertical loops put up (at the highest point )90 feet in my tall oaks compliments of my son the tree climber guy. They both proform very well & on more than one band . there are many factors in their proformance (time of day , radiation angle , band your operating on ........ just to name a few . i have experimented with quite a few differnt antennas over the years & these two are my keepers. be looking for you on 80mtr cw
all the best basic bill K8fly
Posted by K8FLY on 2006-01-15

CHEAP dipoles...

Ever since I was a new ham with a HW-7, I've bought the 100 foot chunk of 5 conductor rotor wire at Rat Shack and made dipoles.
Posted by N3EG on 2006-01-15

CC&R Restricted

In my case, due to restrictions in our CC&Rs, a vertical (read that as Force 12 Flagpole) is my only viable choice.
Posted by KG4RUL on 2006-01-15

YAGI vs QUAD

I rely like the Quad better, It's easy to build and set up. "But" The yagi is more practical. I seen a lot of Quads that buckled in the ice storms that we get every 5 or 6 years. Or collapse in 60 to 70 mi wind from thunder storms. It's just to hard to keep up, But if you build a mono band for 12 or 17 meters it might be ok with the exception of ice loading. I built a 4 el 6 meter quad years ago and loved it, But it was small and easy to keep up.
Posted by KA5ROW on 2006-01-14