Here's a roof, what HF antenna would you set up? $500 budget.

[N8CPA]

I wouldn't recommend a single band while propagation on all bands has been so iffy.

Since you're talking vertical anyway, why not make an inverted L? Feed it on the ground at one end of the house and use gable masts at each end to support the horizontal portion. Use a tuner for multi-band operation.

[N7GH]

I'd probably go with a nice vertical, like a Hustler 5BTV, and do a blanket of chicken wire for the radials across the roof--spray paint the fencing to match the roof color. I have a metal roof on a 4 car garage that I run a 5BTV from and it works beautifully.

[WB2WIK]

I'd probably go with a nice vertical, like a Hustler 5BTV, and do a blanket of chicken wire for the radials across the roof--spray paint the fencing to match the roof color. I have a metal roof on a 4 car garage that I run a 5BTV from and it works beautifully.

I think this is a good and very low cost solution; it won't cover 30m, 17m or 12m, but the 5BTV does a good job on 40, 20, 15 and 10 and "loads up" on 80m, over a small portion of the band. Complete installation including the chicken wire radial system, coax and mounting hardware probably comes in at under $250.

[AD7N]

I think this is a good and very low cost solution; it won't cover 30m, 17m or 12m, but the 5BTV does a good job on 40, 20, 15 and 10 and "loads up" on 80m, over a small portion of the band. Complete installation including the chicken wire radial system, coax and mounting hardware probably comes in at under $250.

Makes a lot of sense. "Something that's cheap, vertical and radiates well" is probably good enough for him. He also has ~$250 left over to spend on other antennas like an inverted V dipole, etc. Being able to flip polarization to horizontal might make all the difference!

If anything, I think the "best" solution is *several* distinct antennas, rather than sinking cash into one fancy one. The 5BTV would give you vertical capability. An inverted V would give you some horizontal radiation and maybe another antenna to give you yet another option.

If I've learned anything about the Ionosphere, it likes to change it's mind. The more polarizations and options you have in your "arsenal" the better!! A good coax switch and several distinct antennas can actually net more DX than a single "high gain" solution. When $500 is your limit, the "high-gain" solutions available eat up a lot of that if your buying fancy. The used Cushcraft A3S suggestion is a great one if you want to do something with a yagi.

Not to mention: Location, Location, Location!! The rooftop is already 30+ feet, he's on a 200ft hill and the Atlantic is right there.

Very nice location - you already have an ideal groundplain and ground reflection will net you a LOT of extra dBi gain at low takeoff angles.

[K7IOA]

I too would suggest a roof mounted 5BTV. I would just mount it on a 15' (if your that is the height of your eave) mast and run a bunch of radials. Mine did quite well, they are easily available for $100 or less used which leaves you plenty of money for coax and radials. There is even a aftermarket 17m add on available if you desire. What I found interesting when I had mine was that even without the extra 17m setup, I made confirmed contacts with the east coast and the Marquesa Island DXpedition when the propagation was good on 17m, which blew away my elmer. With it elevated the need for more than 2 radials per band is nill. I have now a TH3-JRS tribander I bought used for $50, put $25 and elbow grease into it to refurbish it, placed a used TR-44 Rotator 5' on a galvanized pipe then put a craigslist 30' pushup mast from there up with a homemade eave bracket at 15' and guylines at the top. Costs were $75 for the tribander, $120 for the rotator and control box, $25 for the used mast, $3 for used length of 8 conductor wire, and $75 for misc parts (pipe, bracket materials, guys, sack of concrete, etc..), total cost came to just under $300, very happy with the setup and it really has been a good working station into Eastern Europe.

[W2STV]

Allright guys, I'm sold on the 5BTV.. I know everything is a compromise but I want something to get started with out there that will be tuneable and get me some contacts - this seems like a good option. I'll also see about stringing up a wire somehow, I need to really see how big the space I have is up there... I like the idea of a coax switch and having options, all the better to learn more about propagation!

73
~Steve W2STV

[WM3O]

Allright guys, I'm sold on the 5BTV.. I know everything is a compromise but I want something to get started with out there that will be tuneable and get me some contacts - this seems like a good option. I'll also see about stringing up a wire somehow, I need to really see how big the space I have is up there... I like the idea of a coax switch and having options, all the better to learn more about propagation!

73
~Steve W2STV

with your QTH you should be able to run a speaker wire and work the world. Atlantic Highlands or someplace on LI?

[W2STV]

Montauk, LI.

[W4HAY]

...I never though of an inverted v dipole up there, I don't know if there is the length, but it might be worth a measure...

The dipole doesn't have to be straight. You can "Z" the ends. If you're going to be doing some pruning, two split-bolt connectors will do away with the trial and error twisting and untwisting of the ends of the wire at the insulators. Your electrical supply house should have them. And for the antenna, you could use electric fence wire and insulators. They're very inexpensive and meant to withstand several kilovolts in all kinds of weather. Tractor Supply or your local Farm Co-Op will have them.

[WB2WIK]

Montauk, LI.

Good spot for working Europe and Africa!

Been there many times.