If you've been licensed long enough to belong to the QCWA, then
you probably got your start in Amateur radio via the Novice Class
license.

What was your first antenna? If you were licensed in the '50s or
earlier, probably a doublet antenna, open wire line and a tuner.

But, from the mid '60s and later, you were probably sold a bill of
goods commonly referred to as a vertical antenna. You follow the
instructions, measure everything twice borrow an swr meter from
your Elmer, it's tuned up perfectly, but.... It just doesn't work.

How many prospective hams did we lose to this marketing trick?

I know what you're thinking, "Marketing trick?" Yes, consider the
salesman at the local radio store. The focus in sales is to maximize
profits. Which is going to contribute to the bottom line better. 65'
of #14 wire and 3 egg insulators or a 4-band trapped vertical, a
40' push up mast, 130' of #14 wire and 8 egg insulators?

Guess what folks, they're still at it pushing vertical antennas that
don't work.

"But I don't have room for a dipole"
Then you don't have room for radials either and your vertical won't
work.

"But so and so's DXpedition uses verticals."
Did you notice they were on the beach 3' from the ocean?

"I can hear all over the world, but I need an amplifier to transmit."
People get DXCC running 5 watts, there's something wrong with
your antenna if it takes 1 KW to be heard.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi