Inverted V Question

[Genius1]

I'm building an inverted V antenna in my residential backyard, mostly for transmit/receiving 43m band with low power transmitter. I'm rather new at this but I've been reading and trying to learn as much as I can. I've been searching for an answer to this question but haven't found one so I thought I'd ask here.

I have a tree in each back corner of my yard. They are in the corner between the back and side fence. Can I set my balun up in one of the trees and run one line parallel the back fence to the ground and one parallel to the side fence to the ground? Also, the back fence (and one side fence) is a metal cyclone fence. Will that matter as long as I stay a few feet in front? I'm hoping someone can help or point me in the right direction.

One more question... Is height or line angle more important before tuning and adjusting the length of wire? Or is it a situation where higher is better but lines must be at >90 degrees?

Sorry for the noob questions. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

[BoomboxDX]

I'm not an antenna expert, but the antenna you describe would be similar to a inverted V and also similar to a V beam (depending on length of the legs).

Others here probably have better info on this. But a V beam is a real antenna -- however, like most wire antennas, any directionality is dependent on frequency. So it may or may not exhibit directionality at 43 Meters. It depends on the length of the legs (and probably some other factors as well).

Higher probably is better, regardless of angle, at least for transmitting. The metal fence might interfere with transmitting, it may affect SWR. If it's underneath the wire, instead of in back of it, you may get better results.

[Stretchyman]

Tie antenna between both trees @ 15' agl.

This gives the best antenna for NVIS which is the best method of propagation for low power on that band.

Str.

[Genius1]

I'm not an antenna expert, but the antenna you describe would be similar to a inverted V and also similar to a V beam (depending on length of the legs).

Others here probably have better info on this. But a V beam is a real antenna -- however, like most wire antennas, any directionality is dependent on frequency. So it may or may not exhibit directionality at 43 Meters. It depends on the length of the legs (and probably some other factors as well).

Higher probably is better, regardless of angle, at least for transmitting. The metal fence might interfere with transmitting, it may affect SWR. If it's underneath the wire, instead of in back of it, you may get better results.

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid that the metal fence may interfere. I plan to place the wire about 6 feet in front. Hopefully, that eliminates some interference.

[Genius1]

Tie antenna between both trees @ 15' agl.

This gives the best antenna for NVIS which is the best method of propagation for low power on that band.

Str.

Hi Stretchyman. Thanks for replying. Good to hear from you.

The trees are about 70 feet or so apart on opposite sides of the yard. Do you mean that I should place a pole between the trees and run line down at 15' or should I connect wire from tree to tree with the balun in the center?

[BoomboxDX]

I'm not an antenna expert, but the antenna you describe would be similar to a inverted V and also similar to a V beam (depending on length of the legs).

Others here probably have better info on this. But a V beam is a real antenna -- however, like most wire antennas, any directionality is dependent on frequency. So it may or may not exhibit directionality at 43 Meters. It depends on the length of the legs (and probably some other factors as well).

Higher probably is better, regardless of angle, at least for transmitting. The metal fence might interfere with transmitting, it may affect SWR. If it's underneath the wire, instead of in back of it, you may get better results.

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid that the metal fence may interfere. I plan to place the wire about 6 feet in front. Hopefully, that eliminates some interference.

Can you angle the wire downwards, so it's coming down on top of the fence, using the corner of the fence as a support?

That may work. Of course, if you're trying to keep the wire from being too visible, having it away from the fence as practically possible will probably help keep down SWR and/or affects to the antenna's radiation pattern. Six feet could be enough. I'm not sure how much radiation goes off the ends of the legs of the wire (antenna handbook is not handy).

The most important radiating part of the V antenna, as you describe it, could be near the apex of the V, so the fence may not affect it too much (others here can correct me if I'm wrong here). Best thing to do is experiment, check SWR.

[Genius1]

I'm not an antenna expert, but the antenna you describe would be similar to a inverted V and also similar to a V beam (depending on length of the legs).

Others here probably have better info on this. But a V beam is a real antenna -- however, like most wire antennas, any directionality is dependent on frequency. So it may or may not exhibit directionality at 43 Meters. It depends on the length of the legs (and probably some other factors as well).

Higher probably is better, regardless of angle, at least for transmitting. The metal fence might interfere with transmitting, it may affect SWR. If it's underneath the wire, instead of in back of it, you may get better results.

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid that the metal fence may interfere. I plan to place the wire about 6 feet in front. Hopefully, that eliminates some interference.

Can you angle the wire downwards, so it's coming down on top of the fence, using the corner of the fence as a support?

That may work. Of course, if you're trying to keep the wire from being too visible, having it away from the fence as practically possible will probably help keep down SWR and/or affects to the antenna's radiation pattern. Six feet could be enough. I'm not sure how much radiation goes off the ends of the legs of the wire (antenna handbook is not handy).

The most important radiating part of the V antenna, as you describe it, could be near the apex of the V, so the fence may not affect it too much (others here can correct me if I'm wrong here). Best thing to do is experiment, check SWR.

What I was thinking of doing was to put up a 30' pole and run each line to the ground at a minimum of 45 degree angle for each. According to calculations, I'll need about 30" per side in order to transmit to 6.9-6.95mHz. Not sure if this is the best way, of course. I am totally new to this so I'll be doing a lot of experimentation and reading about NVIS to bounce the signal.

[Stretchyman]

Tie antenna between both trees @ 15' agl.

This gives the best antenna for NVIS which is the best method of propagation for low power on that band.

Str.

Hi Stretchyman. Thanks for replying. Good to hear from you.

The trees are about 70 feet or so apart on opposite sides of the yard. Do you mean that I should place a pole between the trees and run line down at 15' or should I connect wire from tree to tree with the balun in the center?

No need for any pole! Just tie between both trees wi coax dangling down. Dont use an inveted V as youll be wasting power, a common mistake, unless you TX 100s of watts

[Genius1]

Tie antenna between both trees @ 15' agl.

This gives the best antenna for NVIS which is the best method of propagation for low power on that band.

Str.

Hi Stretchyman. Thanks for replying. Good to hear from you.

The trees are about 70 feet or so apart on opposite sides of the yard. Do you mean that I should place a pole between the trees and run line down at 15' or should I connect wire from tree to tree with the balun in the center?

No need for any pole! Just tie between both trees wi coax dangling down. Dont use an inveted V as youll be wasting power, a common mistake, unless you TX 100s of watts

Thanks Stretchy! That's what I'll do. I'll run a wire from tree to tree and hang the coax down. Do you recommend that I run one continuous wire or split the wires in the middle with a balun (or does it matter)?

[Stretchyman]

It def matters that you split the wire as you want to make a dipole. A balun isn't ness but may help keeping the feeder from radiating.

[Genius1]

That's what I'll do. Anxious to try this out.

Thanks everyone for the assistance.