Amateur Radio

[Web Runner]

If you have a valid Amateur Radio license, then I have a question for you.

Can I use a 20 meter balanced antenna and matching counterpoise for SSB on 80, 40, and 10 meters?

 

[Cavman]

I have a license, but I can't answer your question. You might want to go on one of the ham website to post your question?

John KB4QXI

 

[M109Dreamer]

Im a ham, KD7SII. Cant help you with your situation but Im sure my father can. I will forward him your question. His house looks like WKRP. His call sign in KS5A.

 

[Web Runner]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not a member of any Ham Radio forums, unfortunately, but I do know there are several hams on this board. So, I thought I would ask here. Thanks for passing along my question, Dreamer. I think the answer is yes, but I wanted to bounce it off a few others.
Have either of you noticed a lot of QRM on 20? It registers S5 to S7 constantly on my meter. Oh, my call sign is KB5EZQ.

 

[cuznjohn]

not only are there a few HAMS on this site, but there are also a few TURKEYS on here also

 

[M109Dreamer]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not a member of any Ham Radio forums, unfortunately, but I do know there are several hams on this board. So, I thought I would ask here. Thanks for passing along my question, Dreamer. I think the answer is yes, but I wanted to bounce it off a few others.
Have either of you noticed a lot of QRM on 20? It registers S5 to S7 constantly on my meter. Oh, my call sign is KB5EZQ.

I am a very novice ham. Just use the 2m a little.

Ill check ti see if my Dad has responded to the email I sent him. He is currently in CA with the grandkids.

 

[M109Dreamer]

Got the email back from my Dad, below is what he said about your setup.



He may be somewhat successful using the 20m antenna on 10m, but using it on 80m and 40m will be mostly ineffective.* When using a non-resonate antenna system, some or most of the RF energy (depends on the amount of impedance mismatch) will be consumed as heat, even more so when the antenna is way out of resonance.* Most matching systems will not be able to handle the greater impedance mismatches.* One can get an aluminum lawn chair to load - just will not talk very far!

 

[Web Runner]

Ok, thanks for the info. I'm really limited on what I can do as far as antennas go. So, I was hoping to use one dipole cut for 20 meters on 40 and 10 since the frequencies are 7, 14, and 28 mHz. Any ideas for something that can do that and be mounted inside an attic?
I run barefoot pushing 50 watts max with an antenna tuner and a low-pass filter.

 

[M109Dreamer]

Ok, thanks for the info. I'm really limited on what I can do as far as antennas go. So, I was hoping to use one dipole cut for 20 meters on 40 and 10 since the frequencies are 7, 14, and 28 mHz. Any ideas for something that can do that and be mounted inside an attic?
I run barefoot pushing 50 watts max with an antenna tuner and a low-pass filter.

I have no clue. But Ill ask him. He builds antennas all the time.

 

[M109Dreamer]

My Dad finally made it home and was able to answer you question on the antenna stuff. Here is what he said.

Almost forgot about the antenna info for the*Houstonguy.

*

If one plans to use a single antenna on bands other than the designed or the resonate one, always plan to use a lower freq antenna (7 MHz antenna on 21 MHz) on the upper freqs – not the other way of using a higher freq antenna on a lower freq one.* There will be trade-offs – using a non-resonate antenna will not work as well as a resonate one.* It has nothing to do with the fact one can use a tuner to get the antenna to load – a lot of RF will be dissipated as heat in the tuner and coax and not out the antenna.

*

The simplest and easiest antenna to build is a dipole and can be fed with coax.

*

Have him Google:

Multiple freq dipoles

Fan dipoles

OCF dipoles (off center fed)

*

Another multiple freq antenna for his potential use – verticals – they are noisy but provide an easy way to operate multiple bands, have low angle of radiation.

*

He should also go to some of the local*Houston*ham club meetings for additional info. *Google: Houston Ham Clubs.

 

[M109Dreamer]

Ok, thanks for the info. I'm really limited on what I can do as far as antennas go. So, I was hoping to use one dipole cut for 20 meters on 40 and 10 since the frequencies are 7, 14, and 28 mHz. Any ideas for something that can do that and be mounted inside an attic?
I run barefoot pushing 50 watts max with an antenna tuner and a low-pass filter.

See my post above about the antenna.

 

[Web Runner]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not a member of any Ham Radio forums, unfortunately, but I do know there are several hams on this board. So, I thought I would ask here. Thanks for passing along my question, Dreamer. I think the answer is yes, but I wanted to bounce it off a few others.
Have either of you noticed a lot of QRM on 20? It registers S5 to S7 constantly on my meter. Oh, my call sign is KB5EZQ.

Just to follow-up on the QRM on 20 meters - the cause was an arcing power transformer on a telephone pole behind my house. It finally blew out with a big pop and a bright flash of light. Now, all is quiet on 20 meters.

 

[M109Dreamer]

Just to follow-up on the QRM on 20 meters - the cause was an arcing power transformer on a telephone pole behind my house. It finally blew out with a big pop and a bright flash of light. Now, all is quiet on 20 meters.

[emoji15]

 

[ThreeWheels]

not only are there a few HAMS on this site, but there are also a few TURKEYS on here also

I agree whole heartedly.

Oh wait................you were making a joke.

 

[DR Buck]

Just to follow-up on the QRM on 20 meters - the cause was an arcing power transformer on a telephone pole behind my house. It finally blew out with a big pop and a bright flash of light. Now, all is quiet on 20 meters.

Joke or not, QRM is caused by other signals on the band, not power poles or transformers. The most common noise you would get from a power pole or transformer is QRN.

Back to your antenna question: I'd wonder why as a general Class license holder you would ask such a question? Knowledge of antenna fundamental's that would answer this question are part of the license test for general Class. A 20 meter antenna is nearly impossible to get to resonate on any other ham frequency. The most economical antenna, and one you can build at home, that will cover all HF ham bands except 160 meters is the G5RV. You can google it and gets instructions on making one.


de K3SK