Hi Bill -

I tried to find the specific antenna you are considering using your links,
but I wasn't able to do so with a reasonable amount of effort.

However, there is no doubt at all that a well-designed trap antenna
could do a good job for you.

I am rather bemused by the responses you got suggesting a one-size-fits-all
ladder-line doublet instead. I'm sure these can be good antennas; but
they usually seem to be presented by their advocates as having no draw-
backs at all. That would be an incorrect view, as those antennas have
their own tradeoffs--just like other antennas.

The biggest tradeoff is the tuner, of course. If you're planning on running
power, this is about a $600 +/- item (commercial models), and it takes
up space at your operating position. But you're not done when you buy
it and find a space for it... you also have to TUNE it every time you make
a significant QSY. (I won't mention tuner losses unless someone brings
up trap losses.)

I friend of mine took a look at my array of two W9INN trap/fan dipoles
(6-band coverage); but he decided that he wanted to go with the ubiquitous
135-foot doublet-plus-tuner. (He bought the tuner from me, which was
great... I don't need it!)

When I asked him how he was doing with his new setup, he reported
that it gets out fine on 80m and 40m, but is such a pain in the a*s to
tune on the higher bands that he doesn't bother with them. (That's just
his experience, other users seem to have less trouble.) Oh, and if he
ever decides to run power, he'll have to buy a BIGGER tuner, and
probably re-sell the low-power tuner he bought from me.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying six bands, instant QSY, no tuner needed, and
I run power when I want to. Because of the loading effects of the traps,
my antennas fit in a very compact space... which is all the space I've got.
I hear well,and my reports are excellent. Not bad, not bad at all.
All I really want that I haven't got is the ability to get these antennas
straighter and HIGHER.

Good luck with your selection, and I hope whatever you choose works
great for you.

73,

Ed W6LOL

"Bill" wrote in message
...
Anybody tried to build this trap antenna yet?

http://www.nerc.com/~jdegood/coaxtrap/
http://members.shaw.ca/ve6yp/
http://members.fortunecity.com/xe1bef/hf-antennas.htm

Need some help on where to tune the traps for the bands of operation, and
pruning the connection wiring. Can this be done with out a major test
equipment investment?