On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 13:07:27 -0400, Vinnie S.
wrote:

Hi, I was looking to buy one of these. But running ground radials will be a
problem because the area is woods. I was looking to not using ground radials. I
do have a small running stream in the woods. Would a ground rod in the stream,
offer a good counterpoise that would eliminate the need for radials?

My experience was with a 4BTV that was mounted about 15' above ground
with several sets of (nominally) resonant radials. This was better
than a dummy load, but not much.

I second the idea of one or more dipoles in the trees. Without a
decent ground -and- being in the trees, the vertical will be a very
big disappointment I'm afraid.

I don't see the appeal of one antenna that is capable of being matched
on every band, when the radiation is poor. The Alpha-Delta DX-CC
leaps to mind.

Pick two or three bands and get your feet wet. The higher bands are
poor these days anyway. I would put up a dipole for 20 and one for
80. These can be fed in parallel without interaction if place at
right angles to each other. You will have a daytime band and a
nighttime band and you will make contacts.

What do you have to lose or fear? You need the coax and balun anyway
and a few bucks worth of wire and you're in business.