1/4 vs 5/8 wave write up.

[nfsus]

1/4 vs 5/8 write up

What's your take on this? I have used both.

 

[AudioShockwav]

I have used both, mounted at the same feed point height, with a switch to each antenna.
Depending on where I wanted to talk, and conditions, at times the 1/4 wave would out talk the 5/8 and sometimes the other way around.
It depends on feed point height, soil and terrain.
I was down in a steep little valley in the Sierras.
I have also used a 5/8 ground mounted (less than 12" off the ground) in open terrain with very good results.
1/4 waves with sloped radials are under rated a lot in my opinion.

73
Jeff

 

[Greg T]

I have used both, mounted at the same feed point height, with a switch to each antenna.
Depending on where I wanted to talk, and conditions, at times the 1/4 wave would out talk the 5/8 and sometimes the other way around.
It depends on feed point height, soil and terrain.
I was down in a steep little valley in the Sierras.
I have also used a 5/8 ground mounted (less than 12" off the ground) in open terrain with very good results.
1/4 waves with sloped radials are under rated a lot in my opinion.

73
Jeff

Yup. for local coms it's hard to beat the old Starduster.

 

[nfsus]

Yup. for local coms it's hard to beat the old Starduster.

My buddy has one. Does quite well.

 

[Wire Weasel]

Why not include 1/2 Waves into the mix?

 

[nfsus]

I really dont know. My guess would be to the 1/2 not needing a groundplane like the others?

 

[AudioShockwav]

That was just the subject of Toms article linked to.
There are a lot of common misconceptions about antennas, even more so with 11 meter mythology.
Many times you see guys report incredible results by switching from one vertical to another that exceed what you would expect from a Yagi and the 5/8 antennas have this reputation.

73
Jeff