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What are you using for a fixed 80M antenna at home?

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 NI0L
(@tlprice1)
Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 24
Topic starter  

Correct or not, my observation is that everyone in the winter after dark in the US goes to the 80M band.  It presents somewhat of a challenge for home owners with HOA's and small lots. 

May I get a short description of what you are each running for 80M antennas, the idea is to be able to present to members some tried and true ideas.


   
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AB0L
 AB0L
(@3d0g)
Maker of fjords.
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 178
 

I've since doubled the legs to get on 160 as well, but my Maxcon OCF-3K80 is a great performer on 80 for little $$$.

AB0L (Formerly N0KAI)
-----
Kenwood TM-V71A, Kenwood TS-590S, Icom ID-4100A, Yaseu FT-891, TYT MD-UV380, TYT MD-380, Kenwood TH-D7A, BTECH UV-5X3, µBITX V5, µBITX V4, QRPGuys 40/30/20m DSB Digital Transceiver


   
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ECStein
(@ecstein)
Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 32
 

I'm one of those HOA challenged hams.  Add to that poor topography.  No way to get a wire long enough.

I used an MFJ 75M mobile antenna whip mounted on an expanded steel top patio table.  It worked but the very narrow band width would only tune in the phone band of 80M.  I also employed MFJ 40 and 20M whips on that table...once the mount is installed it's easy to exchange whips.  40 and 20M were able to tune in the CW bands.  However, as expected, performance was not as good as my stealth 40/20m inverted vee.   So I very rarely employ the whips.


   
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(@n2srk)
Estimable Member Admin
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 80
 

I'm running an end-fed antenna, is a semi-sloper configuration.  80M isn't great for me, but I've worked all over North America.

73 de N2SRK


   
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Brian
(@fbrian)
Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 74
 

I am using one of the Chameleon end feeds. The wire is about 60 ft long. I have the balun attached to the eve of my 2nd floor roof and the wire runs to an infantile pine tree so that the end is about 10 ft off the ground.  The Chameleon has a place to attach a ground/counter poise which I ran along the edge of the roof and down toward the ground. This helped w/ SWR. With my tuner it works on 6-160. 

Brian WA0R


   
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 Gary
(@gary)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 8
 

I am in an HOA, but fortunate that my lot is arranged such that I can squeeze an 80 meter half-wave dipole in the space. It isn't up very high, so it does a mediocre job as a NVIS antenna. If I didn't have the room for a half-wave dipole, I would look at any of the variety of shortened dipoles or a magnetic loop (can be pricey).

73,

Gary WB5PJB 


   
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AE2L
 AE2L
(@ae2l)
Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 19
 

I'm using a 53 foot end fend antenna, fed over a pine tree about as high as my house and it works pretty well. My Butternut HF9V also works on portions of 80 but it's very narrow. 

 

Pic here - there are 5 antennas in that pic. Long wire (look for the balun), Diamond X510, BUtternut Vertical, 6m omniangle, and a RX loop. 

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Am1IfoMPDg7rhc8xTDbR737sUjk80A


   
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