Just got my General, and a used kenwood 570d-g, what antenna should i consider

[KD8JUF]

I live in a slab 3 bedroom ranch. So I have no restrictions on putting up an antenna. Is the G5RV, inverted V or a zepp a good choice? I'm looking at getting started on HF maybe 20 & 40 meter phone to start. What would you recommend? I live in the burbs of Cleveland Ohio near the shore of Lake Eire.

Mike
KD8JUF

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

With no restriction on antenna type or mounting I would go for whatever my wallet allowed,maybe something like a TH-11DX for 10-20m five band coverage and a good tower to put it on and hang a few good wire antenna for the lower bands.

Now snapping back to reality, I personally would forget the G5RV. It works good on 20m and anywhere from good to horrible on the other bands. A good doublet,either flat top or inverted VEE, fed with ladder line to a good tuner will be a very good performer on all bands. Make it at least 65 feet or so long on each side of center for 80m and up. The higher the band the higher the gain it will have. I am presently running that antenna and it works pretty good but I am still waiting and trying to get the rotator replaced and get the new Hygain Explorer-14 up along with the 40m add-on kit.

 

[W5LZ]

I think I would consider any antenna you think you might want to try. Probably the simplest and most used antenna is a 1/2 wave dipole. Wire antenna are a bit easier to manage for the lower HF bands, and are very common. Beams start being a 'reasonable' size around 20 meters. And if you are willing to do the ground system required, verticals can work just about anywhere conveniently.
It's basically up to you as far as how 'elaborate' you want to get and what you want to try.
- 'Doc

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Whatever you do remember these two laws of antennas.

1- If it stays up in a storm it isn't big enough.

2- The bigger and uglier the antenna is the better it will perform. :

If you can, wait until next winter to install your antenna because EVERYONE knows that an antenna erected in a freezing storm will always perform MUCH better than one erected in mild weather.

 

[office888]

Build a dipole out of lamp wire.

It's what I'm doing.

-Richard-