the search for the broad band antenna continues.
It appears putting more wire in the air is the preferred solution,
but more wire means more weight
more weight make the antenna droop - and can break a tree limb.
a dipole fed with ladder line is lightweight.
it doesn't droop
it doesn't break limbs
it works
I like Cecil's antenna at his web site. A few 4pdt ice-cube relays @ 7.50
each and the sockets @ 2.50 each can switch different lengths of ladder line
in and out. Put the line and relays in the attic.
I think you could also make use of an old TV tuner switch (The old clunker
channel changers)
I considered using a PLC to switch the relays.

"Fred W4JLE" wrote in message
...
Aside from a few errors in the article, (ie: 4*2.8 does not equal 10.2) If
your going to use open wire feed, make the antenna 135 feet. See Cecils
site, Cover all bands and save a bunch of wire.

I have used a number of methods over the years to cover 75/80 with a
single
antenna. A 12" diameter cage works well at low heights. I used sections of
12 " sewer pipe cut 3/8" thick and 6 wires coming to a cone at the end.

Reg has a program that shows bandwidth vs. Cage diameter. My practical
results achieved greater band width than predicted by the program. Then
again It was at 30 feet.

Some things that do not work, "the bazooka", dual wires spread less than
15
feet, and any of the antennas that are terminated folded dipoles.

"Ed" wrote in message
. 93.175...


The May 2005 issue of QST had an interesting antenna article on page
33... basically discussing broadband dipoles. I am particularly
interested
in the biconical (fan) dipole discussed. It is basically two dipoles
common at the feed point, with a slight divergence out to the ends. I
believe they discussed a spread of 6 feet at the ends for an 80 meter
version.

This antenna may be just what I was looking for to put up on 75M.
Do you antenna experts here on this list have any opionions on this? I
prefer "resonant" antennas fed with coax as opposed to open wire
feedline
with tuners, but I would like to be able to operate over the entire 75M
band with my IC746Pro.. Comments?


Ed