Hello Rick,

I have built and used half-squares on the 40m band for many years.
I'm very happy with their performance, for a wire antenna that isn't
rotatable, on that band. I feed mine at one of the top corners
directly with 50 ohm coax and the match is pretty good without needing
much trimming at all to make it work in the desired part of the band.

I put the ends of the vertical sections at least 10 feet off the
ground, not only for safety - so no one can touch it while I'm
transmitting - but from what I've read, it lowers the take-off angle
somewhat and results in longer path DX. If I had the room I'd build
one for 80m as well!!

Check out http://www.cebik.com/scv4.html for details.

I'd be glad to answer any questions - juste-mail me directly.

73 and GUD LUK de Bob KB1LN