|
s/v Illusion,
Sorry, your post came while I was composing mine.
No, it's NOT true that an inverted vee is the most effective. In fact, the opposite is true if we're talking about long-distance communications.
The reason is simple, and can be found in the ARRL or any antenna handbook:
1. a vertical dipole, rigged close to the ground, puts out nearly all its power VERY CLOSE TO THE HORIZON....it has a very low angle of radiation...and that's precisely where you want it for DX;
2. an inverted vee has a much higher angle of radiation, better for short hops but not for DX.
Over the past 40 years of use I've proven this over and over in actual use, not just theory. And, more recently, the big DX-peditions have discovered vertical dipole antennas, and often prefer them to yagis!
The limitation on a small sailboat, of course, is the amount of hoist. Usually, a 20meter dipole (about 32' long when trimmed) is about all you can handle vertically. So, for the lower bands you're left with some other configuration...an inverted vee or an "L" or traps or....
Bill
|