I am on a fact finding mission, gathering information about
the pros and cons of a particular antenna design/configuration.
This antenna will be used on a VHF repeater (Monteagle, TN.)
We need near 360 degree coverage. The repeater is at 2300
feet HAMSL if downtilt should be a consideration.
I have narrowed the choices down to either an 8 or a 16 element
dipole array.
1) Would a folded dipole have more gain than a "gamma matched"
dipole? I was told that a folded dipole has 1.5dB more
gain than a standard dipole.
2) What is the best way to orient the antennas on the tower
(Rhon 25G?)
a) put them all on the same side of the tower and point
them toward the tower...
b) put them in two groups of 8, back to back...
c) start at the top and mount them down the tower, turning
each 90 degrees from the previous...
d) put them in two groups of 8, first group of 8 over the
second group of 8, point the lower group of 8 180 degrees
of the first 8?
3) Has anyone had any experience with the Maxrad 4 element dipole
array? Or would it perform like the old cushcraft 4 element
dipole?
All comments welcome!
-Terry NQ4Y
