What do you guys think of the Gap Antennas - they have the Titan, etc.

How many of you have had experience with
elevated radials? Four elevated radials at the correct length and
height are supposed perform as well as many ground mounted radials.

What do you guys think of the Gap Antennas - they have the Titan, etc.

I like the designs of the butternuts better in general...

How many of you have had experience with
elevated radials?

I'm one....

Four elevated radials at the correct length and
height are supposed perform as well as many ground mounted radials.

Yes, at the correct height above the ground in terms of *wavelength*.
I would not expect super results with 4 radials, below about 1/4 wave
above the ground. And that 1/4 wave above ground will be a different
height for each band. A 1/2 wave up would be better, but may be
impractical on the low bands. I used 4 radials on a 40m ground plane,
at 36 ft at the base. Just a bit over a 1/4 wave up. Worked quite well,
and
was equal to appx 60 radials on the ground. But drop down to 1/8 wave,
and you will need *many* more than 4 radials for the same amount
of ground loss. At 1/2 wave up, 4 radials are appx equal to 100-120
on the ground. Real low "IE: 5-10 ft high" elevated radials are just
barely
better than having them on the ground on the lower bands. Even
20 ft up, will be pretty lackluster, unless you have a lot of them, or
are using a
high frequency. 20 ft is higher than a 1/2 wave on 10m. ..
I found 1/4 wave up to be the lowest height for really *good* results
when
using only 4 radials. Any lower, and it drops to *mediocre*
performance...
MK

What do you guys think of the Gap Antennas - they have the Titan, etc.

I like the designs of the butternuts better in general...

How many of you have had experience with
elevated radials?

I'm one....

Four elevated radials at the correct length and
height are supposed perform as well as many ground mounted radials.

Yes, at the correct height above the ground in terms of *wavelength*.
I would not expect super results with 4 radials, below about 1/4 wave
above the ground. And that 1/4 wave above ground will be a different
height for each band. A 1/2 wave up would be better, but may be
impractical on the low bands. I used 4 radials on a 40m ground plane,
at 36 ft at the base. Just a bit over a 1/4 wave up. Worked quite well,
and
was equal to appx 60 radials on the ground. But drop down to 1/8 wave,
and you will need *many* more than 4 radials for the same amount
of ground loss. At 1/2 wave up, 4 radials are appx equal to 100-120
on the ground. Real low "IE: 5-10 ft high" elevated radials are just
barely
better than having them on the ground on the lower bands. Even
20 ft up, will be pretty lackluster, unless you have a lot of them, or
are using a
high frequency. 20 ft is higher than a 1/2 wave on 10m. ..
I found 1/4 wave up to be the lowest height for really *good* results
when
using only 4 radials. Any lower, and it drops to *mediocre*
performance...
MK


Thanks for the answer - good empirical information about elevated radials.
I forget, though: how *long* do the elevated radials have to be in terms
of wavelength? For example: what would you recommend for a 1/4 wave
high 80m vertical?

The radials need to be resonant if they are elevated. IE: 1/4 , 3/4
wave,
etc... For 80m, they will need to be appx 60-65 ft long. MK

Mike Speed wrote:
What do you guys think of the Gap Antennas - they have the Titan, etc.

How many of you have had experience with
elevated radials? Four elevated radials at the correct length and
height are supposed perform as well as many ground mounted radials.





Mine is sitting on a pile in the back of my yard, and replaced by
a Steppir BigIR. On 40, and 80 the Titan is nearly worthless. On
the other bands, it is marginally useful. Compared to a BigIR,
fogettaboutit (I live in Jersey now). The BigIR acts as a 3/4
wave on 15 through 6 meters.

Bob
N4HY

"Bob McGwier (N4HY)" wrote in message
news
Mike Speed wrote:
What do you guys think of the Gap Antennas - they have the Titan, etc.

How many of you have had experience with
elevated radials? Four elevated radials at the correct length and
height are supposed perform as well as many ground mounted radials.


Mine is sitting on a pile in the back of my yard, and replaced by
a Steppir BigIR. On 40, and 80 the Titan is nearly worthless. On
the other bands, it is marginally useful. Compared to a BigIR,
fogettaboutit (I live in Jersey now). The BigIR acts as a 3/4
wave on 15 through 6 meters.

Bob
N4HY

Hi Bob,

Would it be a good guess that your BigIR system includes a substantial
in-ground radial system? And do you have it guyed?

73, Ed, W6LOL

Ed:

It is guyed with a three ropes and has weathered a harsh winter and
many storms. It has 64 radials.

Bob



Old Ed wrote:
"Bob McGwier (N4HY)" wrote in message
news
Mike Speed wrote:

What do you guys think of the Gap Antennas - they have the Titan, etc.

How many of you have had experience with
elevated radials? Four elevated radials at the correct length and
height are supposed perform as well as many ground mounted radials.


Mine is sitting on a pile in the back of my yard, and replaced by
a Steppir BigIR. On 40, and 80 the Titan is nearly worthless. On
the other bands, it is marginally useful. Compared to a BigIR,
fogettaboutit (I live in Jersey now). The BigIR acts as a 3/4
wave on 15 through 6 meters.

Bob
N4HY


Hi Bob,

Would it be a good guess that your BigIR system includes a substantial
in-ground radial system? And do you have it guyed?

73, Ed, W6LOL