80 meter antenna for DXCC - need ideas

I am going to start making my run for 5BDXCC - my count on 80 meters is currently zero. I do not currently have a tower and it is winter in MN, so I can't put anything into the frozen ground. Does anyone have any recommendations for 80 meters (i.e. driven element quad loop) that is inexpensive, easy to put up, and is effective for working DX?

Thanks for your help!

Dan
KB0EO
Northfield, MN

 

The easiest thing for working DX and at a reasonable cost is going to be a vertical. If you put in elevated radials (at least 1 to 2 feet above the surface of the earth) then you will only need 4 radials.

A properly installed vertical is going to have a low angle of radiation which is what you need for working DX.

Glen, K9STH

 

80 meter vertical for DX

Is there a standard vertical commercially available that is reasonably priced, easy to put together, and works well for DX? I have heard people talking about a Butternut antenna - any feedback on that?

 

Any trapped vertical is not going to work as well as a full sized vertical. However, various trapped verticals seem to work much better than others. Since I have the "Rolls Royce" of verticals (HyGain HyTower - full sized vertical) I am in no position to recommend one of the trapped versions.

Glen, K9STH

 

I agree with Glen. A quarter wave vertical on 80 will work wonders. I would also be nice to have some type of low-noise receiving antenna, methinks.

Check out the Low-Band DX'ing book, by ON4UN, of several years ago. That'll give you ideas.

Here's the linque: http://www.arrl.org/catalog/7040/


Merry Christmas!

 

as i have posted on other threads...
try a loop or even better a quad but on 80 its gonna be big
the wire stuff is cheep and easy
don't over complicate it
and remember NO BALUNS!!!
good luck on the dxcc
PS: i have worked dx with the loop including Taiwan and Russia

 

Think cheap. Think wire. Even very cold wire won't stand up 65' and play 1/4 wave vertical for you, but an inverted L is the next best thing. Make use of the highest support you can get (tree, roof peak?), then run the rest of the 65' over to some other high support. As Glen suggested, connect 4 elevated tuned radials to work it against, then go tally up the DX.

 

Google "Super Loop". It is popular with a number of hams I know.

I'm using a dipole.

 

A Half Square or a Bobtail Curtain are also excellent DX antennas, BUT you have to have the real estate. If you and put up an 80m dipole at about ~>70 feet then you can put up a Half Square for 80.

That other antenna does have a catchy name, though.


Bob

 

80 meter DX antenna

I am kind of leaning toward a 80 m monoband vertical - it would be kind of fun to build one from scratch vs. buying the standard stuff.

If anyone knows of a good design I can download, please send me the link.

Thanks!

Dan
KB0EO