Sloper As A Flat Top

[n3lrx]

I'm thinking of getting a 1/2 sloper [1] for an antenna. At the new place I've got plenty of trees how would it work if I were to use a sloper as a flat top? I probably can't slope it to the ground. I'm on the third floor so I've got some height. Probably 20-30 feet if I hang it from the eave. I've got the counterpoise via the A/C's earth ground.

[1] http://www.w8amz.com/W8AMZ_SLOPERS_Page.html#80hs

Whadda ya think?

p.s. I've contacted the company and they assure me it can handle 1.5kw if properly tuned. They purposely underrated it.

[W1ITT]

If a "sloper" is erected flat, it becomes an inverted L.   If at all possible, I'd try to run a separate ground wire down the wall to ground, with at least a ground rod, but preferably a wire or two laying on the ground, hidden among the shrubbery. Length isn't critical.  Relying on the AC ground through the air conditioner is a bit sketchy at RF.
It won't be a big time contest station, but it will get you on the air.

[n3lrx]

I'll try to get a more direct ground. I haven't moved into the new place yet. I'm shooting for the first. There's one piece of paper they are waiting on which I will provide this afternoon then after that and all the paper work is finalized it's time to sign the lease and move in. The paperwork should be done in a few days.

I'm anticipating the move. I've got about 2 dozen boxes packed already. My transmitter is all tucked in securely for the move.

[KB2WIG]

I'd suggest a bit of study, and then a bit of home brew. $78 for what's effectively a end fed piece of wire. I'm sure you'll get some more suggestions, I'm about to do battle with used car sales(wo)/men or I'd expand a bit.

gud luck,


klc

[Steve - K4HX]

 From the sloper website:

It does provide very good band width for 80m operation. The 80m Reduced Half Sloper loads better then 200khz at 2.1:1 SWR or less when properly trimed/tuned without a tuner.

Given that a typical full-sized dipole at a height of 50 feet will have a 2:1 SWR bandwidth of 250-300 kHz, the above seems to indicate some loss. An antenna as small as the subject sloper without loss would have a much smaller bandwidth.

Consider building your own antenna.

[n3lrx]

Yeah, now that I think about it building something makes more sense and cheaper too. I've got plenty of wire and balanced feedline.  The only problem is going to be getting something in the trees, running the feedline, and tuning it without drawing attention to myself. I'm not going to have 50 feet in height though. I might have to set up something in the 35-40 foot range and make due.

I'll figure something out once I move in and get settled.

I dropped off the final bit of paperwork this afternoon and was told to give her a few days to process all the paper and she'll set up the lease signing and give me a move in date. I may be in there before the 1st, not sure yet.