"Joe Guthart" wrote in message
...
I'm starting to explore getting a new antenna for HF ... thus far the
options that I've looked at are a vertical ground mount with a counterpoise
kit (can't really do radials in my yard). The models that have come up
often are the Butternut HF9V and the Gap Titan. Both seem similar. The
Butternut's are more expensive and the Gap Titan seems to have good reviews
and then has a few folks who say it's worthless. Alternatively, I've looked
at a horizontal such as a Carolina Windom. The problem I have with this is
that I only have one large tree to tie off to. To do a horizontal right, I
would have to have to use a mast for the other end. I've also heard and
seen several people that have used some of the break apart masts to do this
and they have ended up with a broken mast.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

---

Hi Joe,

I worked with a Hi-Gain vertical placed 10m high for Dxing and a G5RV and
carolina windom (30-40m long) at 100W SSB.
Based on my exprience, as it, the advantage goes definetly to the vertical
due to its omnidirectional pattern (even placed at ground level with
radials).

Dipoles display a leaf radiation pattern which is a plus vs. the vertical
but there are set in specific directions and elevations which is not always
interesting if you want to reach a specific DX zone.
In my case for example the windom was tied NE-SW in ON so I had difficulties
to work USA over the eastern coast, even canada, middle east, africa and
farer.
Of course, from time to time I reached XE, PY, YB at eve and even VK on
mornings but it was sometimes hard
(mainly due to kW-users !!).
The vertical segment of the OCF is a plus vs. e.g. a G5RV as it emits at
360°, adding some lobes in troughs of the OCF radiation pattern. Thus
gobally, I have found the OCF offering almost an omnidirectional pattern
http://www.astrosurf.org/lombry/Radi...iation-pattern.
gif
and working better than my multiband dipole but not as good as the 1/4L
vertical.
Now if you can rotate your dipole or OCF, I would use it instead of the
vertical.

73
Thierry, ON4SKY
http://www.astrosurf.org/lombry/menu-qsl.htm