I've been seeing pictures of these weird antennas for years. Near as I can
tell from the picture, it's essentially a heavily-loaded very short dipole
with two large capacity hats at the ends. But it's impossible to tell from
the pictures what the exact configuration is. Can anyone tell me exactly
what's happening? Is the mast part of the radiating system? The feedline?
The literature (including the manuals) sort of implies that it is.

Also, from the pictures, I get the impression that the standard mast-mount
configuration is mostly vertically polarized. This would certainly account
for reports I have read that the antenna is a bit of a dud at short range
on 80m.

If someone has a computer model for it for MMHAMSOFT's modeller, that would
be GREAT!

The reason I'm asking is that I'm in the process of trying to design
something really low profile for a second floor apartment balcony for 75
and 80m.

--
Dave Oldridge+
VA7CZ
ICQ 1800667

If you can get a copy of the November, 2005 "World Radio", check out
"Kurt N Sturba"'s column, under "Aerials", on pg.55.-- he no dummy
when coms to antennas, ect, and hides behind that nome d'plume to avoid
conflicts with finger pointers. Tho on these antennas, a couple hundred
words, but informative. In essence, he sez that these are very lossey,
That a dipole (66 ft) on 40 meters would have a given bandwidth, IF
the Isotron had the same effeciency for it's size, it would have a band-
width of about 11 KHz. What it really has is a bandwidth of around 400
KHz this results in a signal about 2 "S" units , or 12 dB down from
THAT reference dipole. In other words, there are better more effecient
ways of radiating a signal! As information-- Jim NN7K




Dave Oldridge wrote:
I've been seeing pictures of these weird antennas for years. Near as I can
tell from the picture, it's essentially a heavily-loaded very short dipole
with two large capacity hats at the ends. But it's impossible to tell from
the pictures what the exact configuration is. Can anyone tell me exactly
what's happening? Is the mast part of the radiating system? The feedline?
The literature (including the manuals) sort of implies that it is.

Also, from the pictures, I get the impression that the standard mast-mount
configuration is mostly vertically polarized. This would certainly account
for reports I have read that the antenna is a bit of a dud at short range
on 80m.

If someone has a computer model for it for MMHAMSOFT's modeller, that would
be GREAT!

The reason I'm asking is that I'm in the process of trying to design
something really low profile for a second floor apartment balcony for 75
and 80m.

Gee, I'm sorry to hear that. I was hoping that you could get something for
nothing. :-)
-- John, N9JG

"Jim - NN7K" wrote in message
. com...
If you can get a copy of the November, 2005 "World Radio", check out
"Kurt N Sturba"'s column, under "Aerials", on pg.55.-- he no dummy
when coms to antennas, ect, and hides behind that nome d'plume to avoid
conflicts with finger pointers. Tho on these antennas, a couple hundred
words, but informative. In essence, he sez that these are very lossey,
That a dipole (66 ft) on 40 meters would have a given bandwidth, IF
the Isotron had the same effeciency for it's size, it would have a band-
width of about 11 KHz. What it really has is a bandwidth of around 400
KHz this results in a signal about 2 "S" units , or 12 dB down from
THAT reference dipole. In other words, there are better more effecient
ways of radiating a signal! As information-- Jim NN7K

Dave Oldridge wrote:
The reason I'm asking is that I'm in the process of trying to design
something really low profile for a second floor apartment balcony for 75
and 80m.

A small one-turn loop is hard to beat.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp

THAT was also quoted in the same article I stated. But would think a
mobile antenna (this on second floor apt.), and a tripod mount, with
radials for a counterpoise over a balcony (at night) would be much more
effective than this dawg! think mfj or another outfit has the setup for
this --- (maybe Outbacker, and that NOT that great)! Jim nn7k

Cecil Moore wrote:
Dave Oldridge wrote:

The reason I'm asking is that I'm in the process of trying to design
something really low profile for a second floor apartment balcony for
75 and 80m.


A small one-turn loop is hard to beat.

Jim - NN7K wrote:
THAT was also quoted in the same article I stated. But would think a
mobile antenna (this on second floor apt.), and a tripod mount, with
radials for a counterpoise over a balcony (at night) would be much more
effective than this dawg!

Yes, more effective than the Isotron but disappointing, nevertheless
(been there done that). A balcony-mounted mobile screwdriver is still
pretty far down from a properly designed small loop on 75m. However,
a vertical longer than a mobile screwdriver would be something worth
considering. I think HighSierra has one of those.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp

Jim - NN7K wrote in news:J9vdf.11022
:

THAT was also quoted in the same article I stated. But would think a
mobile antenna (this on second floor apt.), and a tripod mount, with
radials for a counterpoise over a balcony (at night) would be much more
effective than this dawg! think mfj or another outfit has the setup for
this --- (maybe Outbacker, and that NOT that great)! Jim nn7k

Actually, I *am* thinking outbacker or MFJ. The balcony is large and
aluminum-railed, which should actually form a decent counterpoise if it
doesn't blast my sat. TV and 2m stuff all to heck.

I just wondered what the theory is with the isotron. If it's actually
exciting its mast (as some antennas do), then maybe I could use a similar
technique to excite the balcony rail itself.

A loop is not out of the question either, but to be at all efficient, it
would have to be made of 1" or even 2" copper pipe.


--
Dave Oldridge+
ICQ 1800667

If you might consider a loop antenna, check out two electronic books, which
are produced by antenneX Online Magazine. The two books are "The Loop Book"
by Ted Hart, W5QJR, and "Small Magnetic Loops, Construction & Use" from
antenneX. See
http://www.antennex.com/Sshack/loopbk.htm
http://www.antennex.com/Sshack/newloop.htm
John, N9JG

"Dave Oldridge" wrote in message
9...
Jim - NN7K wrote in news:J9vdf.11022
:

THAT was also quoted in the same article I stated. But would think a
mobile antenna (this on second floor apt.), and a tripod mount, with
radials for a counterpoise over a balcony (at night) would be much more
effective than this dawg! think mfj or another outfit has the setup for
this --- (maybe Outbacker, and that NOT that great)! Jim nn7k

Actually, I *am* thinking outbacker or MFJ. The balcony is large and
aluminum-railed, which should actually form a decent counterpoise if it
doesn't blast my sat. TV and 2m stuff all to heck.

I just wondered what the theory is with the isotron. If it's actually
exciting its mast (as some antennas do), then maybe I could use a similar
technique to excite the balcony rail itself.

A loop is not out of the question either, but to be at all efficient, it
would have to be made of 1" or even 2" copper pipe.


--
Dave Oldridge+
ICQ 1800667

Dave Oldridge wrote:
If someone has a computer model for it for MMHAMSOFT's modeller, that would
be GREAT!

I've been looking for an EZNEC model of the Isotron for the past 6
months, Dave. I haven't found anybody who has modeled one. I understand
the Isotron is "lossy" and "nothing but radiating feedline" but it
would still be interesting to see it on a grid or check the numbers in
NEC. And - just like every antenna, you'll find people who use these
things and love them, proving that "the best antenna is one that works
for you". I've got to agree with what others are telling you. A small
loop is the best performing antenna I've been able to find for my very
challenging antenna environment. Other than the small bandwidth, I know
it's working better than any inverted-vee or shortened dipole I've ever
been able to get up amid the power lines and CATV cables here.

Good luck.

Kip W6KIP

"Kip W6KIP" wrote in
ups.com:


Dave Oldridge wrote:
If someone has a computer model for it for MMHAMSOFT's modeller, that
would be GREAT!

I've been looking for an EZNEC model of the Isotron for the past 6
months, Dave. I haven't found anybody who has modeled one. I
understand the Isotron is "lossy" and "nothing but radiating feedline"
but it would still be interesting to see it on a grid or check the
numbers in NEC. And - just like every antenna, you'll find people who
use these things and love them, proving that "the best antenna is one
that works for you". I've got to agree with what others are telling
you. A small loop is the best performing antenna I've been able to
find for my very challenging antenna environment. Other than the small
bandwidth, I know it's working better than any inverted-vee or
shortened dipole I've ever been able to get up amid the power lines
and CATV cables here.

I actually have a fairly good ground--a balcony rail that forms an
aluminum grid about 40 feet in length and 3 feet in height. That's bound
to have a decent capacative coupling to real ground inside the building,
even if the rails are bolted into wood.


--
Dave Oldridge+
ICQ 1800667