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AR15.COM
11/9/2014 8:20:46 PM EDT
I'm thinking of adding a dipole here at the house mostly for comparison purposes. I have a 55' tall tower I could attach one end and then a tree a similar height or slight more.



I really want it to compare to my 43' vertical. I've been really suprised at what I can do with it, but don't have anything to compare it to.



Crazy? Or another antenna even a temporary one is a good idea.
11/9/2014 8:23:36 PM EDT
[#1]
Here's how.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/677525_.html
11/9/2014 8:46:10 PM EDT
[#2]
I've never ran a non-resonant vertical like yours, but I used to run a Hustler 6BTV.  Here's my comparison between a trap vertical and rotatable trap dipole.  I'll take the rotatable dipole at 25' over the ground mounted vertical any day at my house.  http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/656929_New_Bidirectional_One_Element_Beam.html
11/9/2014 9:00:37 PM EDT
[#3]
I kind of want a quick comparison before I move and the Yagi goes up.



I have about 600' of horizontal room if that matters.

11/9/2014 9:10:59 PM EDT
[#4]
The dipole may have sharp nulls off the ends of it, so that may mess up a comparison depending on what direction you're trying to work.  Other than that, just put one up and flip the A-B switch and have fun comparing.  Improving my station, usually the antennas, is actually my favorite part about the hobby lately.
11/9/2014 10:52:52 PM EDT
[#5]
Doesn't have to be an either/or.  Arfcom, get both.  There are advantages to more than one antenna.

Jup
11/9/2014 11:42:10 PM EDT
[#6]
Not crazy at all, that's how you learn what works best for you.

I'd take it a step further and run WSPR on each antenna on alternating hours. The reception reports will hint at your pattern
and show the gain differences between the two.
11/10/2014 10:57:43 PM EDT
[#7]
I tried several dipoles in different configurations at heights up to 40 feet and didn't hear much DX. I went to a s9v43 with 1,000 feet of radials and the world literally appeared on the air.

Ymmv but there was no comparison here. The extra 15 feet may help you more.
11/10/2014 11:11:49 PM EDT
[#8]
I have the s9v 43' as well with around 2000' of 12 gauge wire for radials (32x65' give or take). It's rare for me to see a spot posted from the US that I can't hear them on the air. Getting thru is another story.



Still interested to see where a diple differs. I'm giving up this antenna soon as I'm leaving where I have been staying and my mom will inherit it for her first antenna when I go back to work after the first of the year.
11/11/2014 3:20:51 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:
Doesn't have to be an either/or.  Arfcom, get both.  There are advantages to more than one antenna.

Jup
View Quote



This.