Here are my current antennas that I’m using for Amateur Radio. I originally started with a single 40m dipole stretched between the trees. When I decided to expand my antenna selection, I started by connecting “top-rail” fence sections to create a mast. Unfortunately, this did not have the rigidity and strength needed, and required guying as well.
35′ Rohn Tower
Purchased from a local ham. A portion is buried in the ground. The tower is guyed to auger anchors, and the guys are tightened using turnbuckles. I raised it using a hand winch and ratchet straps! The antennas that are suspended from the tower are suspended from a number of horizontal sections that keep the dipoles away from the tower structure. The antennas are raised and lowered with nylon ropes that pass through rings connected to the horizontal supports. The base of my tower is about 100′ from the grounded point of entry to the house. Then there is about a 50′ coax run from that point to the ‘shack’, AKA, my office.
Fan Dipole
Band(s): 80m/40m/20m (15m)
Three pairs of segments (12AWG) connected to a 1:1 balun. The balun is the point of suspension and provides a coax connection. The center feed point is at about 35′ AGL. The ends range from 12-18′ above ground and it forms an inverted vee. The inverted vee provides a somewhat omnidirectional radiation pattern. The 40m segment also provides 15m. This antenna is connected directly to my station using RG-213.
Fan Dipole
Band(s): 17m/12m/10m
Three pairs of segments (12AWG) connected to a 1:1 balun. The balun is the point of suspension and provides a coax connection. The center feed point is at about 20′ AGL. The ends range from 8-12′ above ground and it forms an inverted vee. This antenna is connected to an antenna switch at the base of the tower. The output from the switch box runs to my station using RG-213. This is the same design as the 80-40-20, except the leg lengths are approx ‘ each side for 17m, approx 9.4′ each side for 12m, and approx 8’ each side for 10m.
Fan Dipole
Band(s): 20m/10m/6m
Three pairs of segments (12AWG) connected to a 1:1 balun. The balun is the point of suspension and provides a coax connection. The center feed point is at about 50′ AGL. This is close to a flattop with the ends close to 50′ above ground. This antenna is connected directly to the house and into the shack using RG-213. This is the same design as the 80-40-20, except the leg lengths are approx 16.4′ each side for 20m, approx 8′ each side for 10m, and approx 4.6′ each side for 6m.
Dipole
Band(s): 160m
A compromise antenna, at best. A pair of segments (18AWG) connected to a 1:1 balun. The balun is the point of suspension and provides a coax connection. The center feed point is at about 28′ AGL. The dipole forms a lazy “zee” and the end range from 8-10′ above ground and it forms an inverted vee. This antenna is connected to an antenna switch at the base of the tower. The output from the switch box runs to my station using RG-213.
Vertical
Bands: 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 15m, 10m (w/17m, 12m, 6m added)
This is a ground mounted Hustler 6BTV, 6-band, trapped vertical. I added 3 vertical wires attached just above the feedpoint that allow for the extra bands. There are at least two radials per band. I used a DX Engineering Radial Plate, and DX Engineering Tilt-over mount, which is extremely helpful when tuning. So far, 80m isn’t very useful, as the bandwidth is very narrow and I’m prepared to cut the element to bring the frequency into the range that I would need.
I have a 1:1 balun installed just past the base plate, and I use ferrites in the shack to deal with unwanted RF.
Moxon
Band(s): 6m
A 2 element moxon constructed from PVC. It is a directional design, providing gain in the forward direction, and good rejection for signals off the sides. It can be manually rotated, but is generally pointed south-south-east, to favor the location of a local 6m AM net. This antenna is connected to an antenna switch at the base of the tower. The output from the switch box runs to my station using RG-213.
Vertical:
Band(s): 2m/70cm
Comet GP-1
Mounted on a 10′ galvanized pole on top of the tower, placing it about 45′ AGL.
This antenna is connected directly to my station using LMR-400.
J-Pole
Mounted indoors
Band(s): 2m
Copper pipe construction, SO-239 connector
When used, this antenna is connected directly to my radio using RG-8X.
J-Pole
Band(s): 1.25m
Mounted indoors
Copper pipe construction, SO-239 connector
This antenna is connected directly to my radio using RG-8X and is my full time antenna for this band in the shack.
J-Pole
Band(s): 70cm
Mounted indoors
Copper wire construction, SO-239 connector
When used, this antenna is connected directly to my radio using RG-8X.
Yagi
Band(s): 2m
Cushcraft 10 Element Yagi
Currently on the ground
Aluminum elements and boom, SO-239 connector
Vertical (Mobile)
Band(s): 2m/70cm
Tram 1180
Mag Mount, NMO,
This antenna is connected directly to my radio using RG-8X.
Antenna Switch
I added an HF antenna switch to allow me to put up more antennas without having to run new coax for each one. The switch is an Ameritron RCS-4. It consists of two parts: the indoor control box, and the remote switch. The indoor control box is pictured, to the right. The unit works by injecting a DC control voltage onto the coax, which is then detected by, and removed by, the remote switch. The remote switch is mounted at the tower, and one of four antennas are connected to SO-239 connectors. A fifth SO-239 is the station connection.