Good Info on Short Verticals

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Thanks to John - K5PRO, a good article on the performance of short vertical antennas from the 1947 IRE Proceedings is now available on The AM Window.

http://www.amwindow.org/tech/htm/gen.htm

Scroll to the bottom.

Enjoy.

[W3GMS]

Steve,
Great article. 

While  we are talking about short verticals, another Ham who did a lot of work on short verticals was Jerry Sevick (sp) W2FMI (SK).  He authored several really good books on the subject.  I use to work Jerry on 160 back in the 70's and 80's and he always had an outstanding signal.  He became an expert in low loss ferrite matching schemes for his short verticals. 
Regards,
Joe, W3GMS     

[Fred k2dx]

Jerry Sevick also had at least two good articles in QST about very surprising results using short verticals. This was in the mid/late sixties as I recall. The articles were written about controlled experiments, pre PC days. They would still be valid reading today. 

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Jerry Sevick also had at least two good articles in QST about very surprising results using short verticals. This was in the mid/late sixties as I recall. The articles were written about controlled experiments, pre PC days. They would still be valid reading today. 

All were in the 70's. For the complete list of QST Sevick articles, go here (Of course , only works if you're a member):
http://www.arrl.org/pubindex/search/page:1/Merged.name:sevick/Merged.pubs:QST;QEX;Ham%20Radio;NCJ/model:Merged

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

One of the most important thing to take from the article is the need for ground radials. The shorter the antenna, the greater the need for radials.

[k4kyv]

One of the most important thing to take from the article is the need for ground radials. The shorter the antenna, the greater the need for radials.

But don't the ads for commercially manufactured "short" verticals (<20' for 80m) claim extraordinary DX capability and that no radials are necessary?

[K1JJ]

My experience with the  Gotham vertical is scientific proof that no radials are needed...

...unless you want to talk to someone besides yourself.

T

[Carl WA1KPD]

My experience with the  Gotham vertical is scientific proof that no radials are needed...

...unless you want to talk to someone besides yourself.

T

Nor signal!

[Opcom]

It's a great article. The old articles debunk specious marketing claims.

[flintstone mop]

Ed Goodman N5UG(?) in Texas has been manufacturing short verticals for the B'cast industry and may still be offering his CTSVR for amateur radio. 160,80,40M Legal limit.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/533

I think I purchased mine in the middle 90's and many were surprised that a short vertical was working that well. It was overbuilt and a little expensive, but it went through some very bad storms and ice and never failed.

I now have a cheap Cushcraft MA160V and I'll be experimenting with elevated radials this season
Fred