Best use of existing multi-band and end fed antennas?

[Anonymous]

A QRP station with 90+ ft each of LMR400 and RG-8X. Wish to deploy an Alpha-Delta EE (shortened 40 ft) 40-10 m dipole and 40’ft 80-10 m end fed (currently horizontal at 15 ft agl). Lots of pine trees but no good orientation for horizontal dipole for NE-SW path (desired). Max hgt obtainable with minor obstruction is around 35 ft. This suggests 80 – 40 m bands likely NVIS if using a horizontal antenna orientations, and maybe if made vertical as well? Having watched some NARS Bootcamp videos (new member, ~40 yrs since last operational) suggests orienting dipole as a slightly elevated vertical or inverted V (or V or bent ended), and elevating (agl) horizontal end fed is best use combination? Getting a new telescoping mast (e.g. MGS) “may” provide a little more flexibility for pattern orientation, but not antenna hgt (agl). Signal line includes ant tuner/pwr/swr meters, insertable LPFs, and aging Yeasu 817 & FT-7, so not lots of pwr to antennas in best circumstance. Long term goal is WAS plus as far as I can get with CW before attempting digital (if ever). Background FYI: have been assembling kits and station past 5 yrs since returning to hobby & obtaining General, but slow CW and ashamedly low electronics IQ (background in Phy/Geophy/SW-side of signal processing), i.e. no confidence, has kept me off the air… and reason for becoming a NARS member.
Any recommendations using what I currently have?

[Jim Lajoie]

Hi Alan

I’m not an antenna expert so someone else with more antenna experience may have some different  advice, but my advice would be to get the wire as high as you can as close to the path as you want to go and just see how it plays. Sometimes you can surprise yourself with how good an antenna will work. You can spend a lot of time trying for perfection  and not come up with results any better than you could get saying this is good I’m gonna try this out.

As far as confidence on HF  goes you can start off by checking into the NARS 10 meter net On Sunday at 8:30  on 28.480 +/- Mhz. Also most hams are very good with new and returning hams to the hf bands. I’d even suggest trying out a state QSO party to dip you foot into contesting. Just listen for awhile to get the flow of the contest and what the station is looking for for an exchange. It goes quick your talking to them for 5 seconds or so. It’s and quick way to get some time in on the radio without the expectation of having to come up with the next part of a conversation like you do when your rag chewing.

Good luck hope to hear you on the bands

73

Jim K1BRM

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