On Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:20:50 -0700 (PDT), Michael
wrote:

Hiya...

Now that I've decided on what to get for my first ham radio, (TS-590s)
I'm moving on to deciding on an antenna.

The goal will be DX'ing the ham bands with phone and eventually CW.
I'm looking for an antenna set up that will work on 10 to 80 meters.
Of course, multiple specific antennas would be an ideal, but that is
not in the cards.

I've had a few options in mind. All of course, would be coupled with
an antenna tuner if the internal auto tuner on the radio cold not do
the job.

1. Set up a butternut HF9V on a roof mount approx 30-35 feet above the
ground with tuned radials. The problem being, the footprint of my
roof is only 35' x 35'. With the antenna set up in the center of the
roof, there wlll be only a max of 17" to string the radials outward.
I'd have to "snake" them in order to fit and figure out how to secure
them. Another draw back is that verticles tend to be more noisey.

Butternut HF9V 80-6 9-Band Vertical Antenna
http://www.bencher.com/ham/index.php...products_id=14
-note- No radials required with the optional CPK Counterpoise kit.
Accessory kit for 160 meter coverage available.

Where does your Property Line End on each side of the House ?
Distance Center of the Roof to the Property Lines ?

Use a 5'~10' Metal 'Mast' between the Roof and Antenna.

Attach the Radials where the Mast meats the Antenna.
'Above' the Surface of the Roof.

Rig the Radials 'above' the Surface of the Roof from 5~3 Feet and
extend them as far as you can {needed} angling downward to your
Property Lines.


2. Set up a GAP Titan on a roof mount approx 30-35 feet up. No
radials needed with that antenna, but I have been told/read that
unless perfectly assembled, they dont work as advertised. Again...
Vertile can be a noisy antenna.

GAP Titan DX 8 Band Multiband DX Antenna
http://www.gapantenna.com/titan.html

If you do not have the 'Space' for a Horizontal Antenna to Work All
Bands 80m~10m : Then a Vertical is the Best you can do.

Be The Best You Can Be & Do The Best You Can Do
-remember- Keep It Simple And Practical . . .
within the 'confines' {limits} of your house and land
-or- move !