On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:54:09 -0400, "Bob D."
wrote:

I'm contemplating a Yaesu TF-857D with the FC-40 antenna tuner as a base
rig. I'd like to cover as many HF bands as possible with a simple wire
antenna. I'm on a small lot with an 80' tower. So anything I put up is going
to slope!

I've never used an antenna tuner before. I believe the FC-40 is weather
proof and meant for remote use.

If I slope a random wire and end-feed it, should the tuner go up on the
tower or stay on the ground? (In other words, which end should I feed?) How
should I ground the FC-40?

Anything better than a random wire that is still simple and covers all/most
of the HF bands?

I have been tinkering with an SGC-237 Tuner and I have concluded:
A tuner will match most anything.
A tuner does not change the antenna system, it only matches it.
An antenna still works best at its resonant frequency. (best is in
the eye of the beholder!)
If you use a vertical radiator against ground, the ground system is
still as important as the radiator.
Evaluating the configuration is mainly guesswork.
You can save yourself a lot of time and effort by modeling a given
configuration with EZNEC.
Your antenna begins at the connection to the tuner.

John Ferrell W8CCW
"Life is easier if you learn to
plow around the stumps"