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I had a GAP Eagle DX which covers 40,20, 17, 15, 12, and 10. I wrote a review on it on eham.net if you want more information about it. One thing you need to know about verticals is the use of ground radials. Alot of companies use elevated radials as part of the antenna system (like the Eagle and the R series from Cushcraft). Usually, these are not enough to give you any real gain towards the horizon. So the use of buried( but no deeper than an inch) or on the surface radials is that they can give you some ground reflection gain. The only situation where ground radials are not needed is if you live on the coast line where the antenna is out by salt water (or brackish water which is salt water and fresh water mixed). My vertical did not do much better than the wire I had strung up in the trees at 25 feet. Of course, I just used the elevated radials that are on the Eagle DX and I was not able to bury ground radials. If you do not have the ability to string up a wire, and you want an omni directional pattern, a vertical would work for you. If you are able to bury ground radials (see the ARRL Antenna Book for more information about lengths) than your vertical would work very well with low radiation patterns towards the horizon. You can mount the vertical 8' off the ground and that would be fine. I worked DX on that antenna, but I also worked DX on the wire. I wanted more than what my wire could give and the vertical (at least for me) did not work much better than the wire. I sold it as I did not want to have an expensive antenna that is not performing better than my $40.00 wire! So in conclusion, if you are not able to get a dipole up in the clear at 30' or more, and a tower is out of the question, a vertical will be the best thing for you as they are easy to put up. I would install ground radials if you can, but even if you cannot, you will still be able to work DX. Just remember, anything will radiate RF (quoting Tom Schiller) but just how well. A vertical is better than something in your attic. I do not have any experiece with the F12 verticals, but I am sure that some of the other folks on here may give you more details about their collection of verticals. Seems to me that F12 has their act together when it comes to antennas (unlike most companies HI!) GL es 73 Jason Hissong KC8HYI I have some pictures of my GAP on my website when I owned it. You will notice it is mounted on a pipe 8' off of the ground. Let me know if you want more details on what I did to install it. http://www.qsl.net/kc8hyi ----- Original Message ----- From: <ege77@juno.com> To: <Force12Talk@qth.com> Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 9:20 AM Subject: [Force 12 Talk] Verticals > > > I would be interested in comments or opinions on verticals. I have some > XYL restrictions that apply in my area. I can "hide" a vertical behind > the house much easier than a tower and beam. There are some cost > restrictions as well ! > > Steve > N1EGE -------------------------------------------- Force12Talk mailing list provided as a service by Force 12 Antennas, Inc. Force 12 Web site: http://www.qth.com/force12 Submissions: send to Force12Talk@qth.com To unsubscribe: send a blank e-mail to Force12Talk-leave@qth.com Force12Talk Message Archive: http://www.qth.com/force12/list/force12talk For problems with the list, contact force12@qth.com |
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