DX Engineering 7580 FS VA 2 full-size 80 meter vertical plus 3 bands
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- I've added 40, 30, and 20 meters to this vertical using simple brackets, hose clamps, fiberglass rods, JB Weld, eye screws, springs, and dacron rope. My RigExpert says all 3 bands are good and I've been making contacts.
Mechanically it seems very solid although initially the top bracket failed because I didn't allow enough slack in the element and rope for the 40 meter element. The springs at the top of each element give a lot more leeway in tensioning the added elements.
Why is it tricky to tension the elements? When the vertical is tilted over so you can work on it there is an arc in it. It's very hard to tell how much slack the elements need so they are tight but not too tight when the vertical is standing up straight and the arc is gone. I bent the top metal bracket by initially making the 40 meter element too short!
I just worked you on 40m, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dave. Great signal here in Iowa! Glad my straight key malfunctions didn’t mess up the QSO too much. Hope to work you on this monster again. 73. De Wayne, de KE0MS 👍🏻
Hey Wayne!! Great QSO, no worries and glad you came back to me after you fixed the key!! I'll get a card in the mail to you brother!! :)
@@tiptopgemdotcom and a card from me will head your way, too. 👍🏻
Damn...that's a monster of a vertical antenna. 👀
Have the same antenna. Added 40 meter, and is playing very nice. Added 20 meter, and that element didnt want to play at all. Used a NanoVNA. Started out with roughly 17.5 ft, but was unable to find resonance no matter how I cut it.
I've never used a NanoVNA but have a RigExpert. Can you determine resonance with your NanoVNA? Start there after cutting it close, then you will know whether it needs to be shorter or longer.
I need to add 40M but my 4O3A Tuner does a great job loading this on all other Bands down to 17M at least but I really just use it for 30,60,80 most of the time.
That is one tall boy!!!
Wow how did I miss this comment Sarah?!?!?
Did you test the performance of the antenna on the other bands before adding the other radiators?
they don't seem to interact at all that i could tell. i know it looks stupid simple but it just seems to work. again- just a casual op. not doing a/b testing really. i don't ever listen on this- i have an active loop in one ear and a dipole in the other ear when i have my headphones on doing CW. icom 7610; diversity receive. yes- overkill for a casual op but QSB is less if i listen that way.
Hi David, I plan on adding a couple of bands to mine as well. What kind of spring system are you using on the top bracket for your extra elements?
Just search on Amazon- "extension spring assortment black oxide" and pick one with good reviews- that's how I did it!!
@@tiptopgemdotcom Thanks a bunch. Found it.
David , what is the spacing you used from the main element ( middle ) to the wires ????
Hey Leon if you mean from the main element to the additional elements that I added for more bands- it's not critical I was told. It works great as it is, and it's maybe 12 inches.
Update us on the performance. Would you do it again?
Yes! I've had great luck on the air with this antenna. No complaints. I guess really if I had to do it again it depends on when. I'm 53 now. It would have to be sooner rather than later. An installation like this is for a young-ish man!! Of course a trencher would have made it a lot easier. And digging that huge hole for the concrete was a bit much when you do it by hand.
I’m thinking about getting this antenna. Do you need the guys? I think it was free standing?
73s N0SL
It is supposed to be free standing and I think the wind rating is 93MPH or something like that with no ice. Well here it is going to get ice!!! Ice increases the weight A LOT, and increases the wind load because the diameter is increased. How much ice is too much? I like to be prepared for the worst so I feel much safer having it guyed.
@@tiptopgemdotcom thanks!