RadioBanter - View Single Post - Dipole Next To Home-Is That A Problem??

November 24th 03, 09:11 PM

On 24 Nov 2003 05:44:26 GMT, (Xtx99) wrote:

I'm finally getting ready to make the jump from 2m/70cm to an old Kenwood
TS-520SE which I purchased several years ago. My available antenna space is
very limited, and I'm therefore looking at a Van Gorden PD-4010 parallel dipole
(10/20/15/40, 66 feet long) or a Van Gorden "Shorty" Dipole (160-10 with
antenna tuner). The maximum run I have is about 70 feet (and I'll probably use
about 75 feet of RG-8). Unfortunately the dipole must run about 15 feet off
ground level and one half of the dipole would have to be run about a foot from
the side of a wooden house. Approximately 10 feet higher than the dipole on
the side of the house is a rain gutter (probably aluminum). Would this be a
problem? (high swr, etc.) Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi OM,

Actually, your problems is no less common than many, and they do quite
well. This doesn't mean that it will be cake walk, however.

One antenna that attempts to be all bands must invariably disappoint
somewhere. Given the proximity of ground, issues of being within 1
foot of your house doesn't really add any more problems. Getting
higher should be a goal (why does your gutter have the 10 foot
advantage?) rather than further away.

Yes, being close to the house can present possible problems, but
trying first is quicker than worrying forever. If it does, reduce the
size of the dipole. Small dipoles have loss (all things considered),
but not so much to deafen or mute your signals. You can force your
truncated dipole to perform, or turn it into a top-loaded vertical
(drive both sides of the transmission line at the drop, against a
modest radial field). Same investment in time, money, and real-estate
and you move past the problem when and if it arises.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC