First you need to find out what model it is.
http://www.antennaproducts.com/omnilpaindex.htm
might help.
or http://www.drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?code=9141-QUSO
http://www.wavehunter.com/hfant1.htm

if i gather correctly what you are saying those are loading coils for the
bands it's good for. YES you need them. If none of these websites help
just do a google search for an hf omni antenna
Robert
VE3 something or other

"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hi

I was given a Omni antenna from a ham who claims the best thing since
sliced
cheese. I want to use it for receive at first and when licenses come in
for
transmit. I would like to transmit on as many frequencies as practical and
possible as I have a good tuner.
This is an omni, aluminum, telescopic and it 19 feet long. It has 4 ground
planes about 8 feet long.
As I was cleaning it up, I noticed a coil at the base of the antenna
connecting ground to center. Right at the female connector within the base
of the antenna. There is a coil that has approx 20 windings and connects
to
ground. The center also feeds to the piping that stretches the full 19
feet.
The coil is pretty rough shape.
My question is in regards to this coil. Is it necessary? What function
will
it serve? I can rebuild it if need be but is that necessary? And is 19
feet
a good length for utilizing as many useable frequencies as possible?
Any advice?
Thanks
Bob