Duplex Dweller

[keystone990]

I have moved into a duplex and am trying to figure out my best bet for an antenna. Obviously no A99s in the air or dipole strung across the yard.

My idea was to see if I could run a dipole horizontally around my back porch. It is not long enough to string it straight so it will have to turn 90 degrees. It would still be completely horizontal though. The ceiling of the porch is wood with no metal visible.

My only concern is the turn. Will this effect anything? Would it be better to turn it 90 degrees downward so it's vertical? I am aiming for DX and not local traffic.

Thank you,

Clark

 

[K9GAS]

Check QRZ and look up LA1BRA. He's a Texan that works oil rig sites.
He has the same situation and uses a screwdriver. If you're only using one band or two, get a manual one. They work on 11 meters very well. If you look up his pictures on QRZ you'll see his setup and I've talked to him as easy as others in that area with small beams.

 

[dudmuck]

If you're running on a single band, A dipole would be better than a screwdriver.
Screwdriver requires a counterpoise, some big metal sheet. Cookiesheet?
Or just get a 102"whip and mount it on some piece of metal like that if your only on 11/10m.

A magnetic loop is probably the best antenna for stealth and multiband operation.
But expensive, just like the screwdriver.

 

[keystone990]

I will just be running on 11m. There is a possibility I could get the dipole out in the yard on a temp mount (i would have to bring it in when not in use). I would imagine that would be better than under the porch overhang.

 

[keystone990]

Ok so I hung my dipole tonight. I have the "shield run" horizontal along the roof of my porch and the "center conductor run" vertical down the side. Started off with 8' 6" on each end and a swr of over 3:1. Turned back the wires little by little until I managed about 1.2:1 on channel 1 and about 1.4:1 on 40.

Should I have the center wire leg of the dipole horizontal or is it ok the way I have it? This really stinks not being able to get this thing out in the open.

Thanks.

 

[W5LZ]

You'll have to decide if it's working "good enough" or not. What you've got is a vertically polarized single 'leg' groundplane antenna. It isn't going to be the best by far, but all things considered, it'll 'work'.
Would it 'work' better if that vertical leg was pointed up instead of down? I would think so, but that doesn't seem to fit your circumstances, does it. How about adding a few more 'radials' to it (that braided leg)? It would certainly change it's radiation/reception pattern and could probably mean hearing more. If it isn't a huge hassle, why not? No significant improvement? So change it back.
Antennas would rather be away from stuff, above stuff rather than beside stuff, and generally don't 'like' being under stuff. Depending on your circumstances, that isn't always what you can manage. So, 'coochy-coo' them a little, get them 'close' to 'happy' and live with the results. That's usually called 'tuning', and it works.
- 'Doc

 

[Robb]

You want to DX; yet you dictate using a highly compromised antenna restrictions and mountings and expect results?!?
Let me tell ya right now: that dog ain't gonna hunt!

Do you mean DX as in the US or out of the US or outside of the US? To me, real DX isn't talking within the confines of the contiguous US of A (with the exceptions of AK, HI, and PR). More like talking to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, etc.

Now that we got that out of the way, for a real DX antenna you might want to make and mount a horizontal dipole at/around 36 ft high off of the ground just to get a low enough "angle of radiation" when transmitting. Building it out of electrical conduit built in an "inverted V" form. That would be my choice; thta should work. You can build it yourself for about $20 - not including the cost of coax or the ~36 ft of mounting poles and dacron guy rope (not wire) you will need.

Now, that should work some real DX . . .

 

[keystone990]

Considering my limitations with his rental, 36 feet isn't gonna happen. I am just trying to work within those limitations and optimize what I CAN do. Thanks for the feedback though.

 

[W5LZ]

I think you're in the same boat most of us are in, making do with what'cha got. I wish I could do the "ideal" thingys with antennas but in most instances I can't, and never have. Oh well, do what you can and don't waste all that good 'worry' on it.
- 'Doc

 

[keystone990]

That is all we can do. I read an article last night about a sloping dipole. So this morning I sloped my wire from the porch to about 10 feet out in the yard. Readjusted swr. I can already tell a huge difference in rx. It's pointed south so let's see if any good old boys down south will hear me. Thanks for everyone's feedback!