Antennas: The most important part of the station

The antennas are probably the most important part of a radio station.  They turn the high frequency current from the transmitter into electromagnetic waves, and reverse the process when picking up distant signals for the receiver.  The type, location and orientation of the antenna can easily make the same difference as using a transmitter power of 1 W vs. 1000 W.

My antenna potentials are constrained by three issues:

• Living in an old, historic area where our neighbors are sensitive to looks.
• Living in a duplex house where the other owners may have objections.
• Having a very limited lot area, which leaves my options almost entirely to the roof.  The good part here, however, is that I live on the upper floor and the attic, where I have good access to the roof through a small window.  Furthermore, the roof surface is corrugated iron plates, recently put in place and in good condition.

An earlier version of the antennas, without the top whip

Vertical for 160 and 80m

A 6m tall aluminum mast, plus 9m tall fiber pole supporting a vertical wire, resulting in a total length of 15m (49ft).  Four wires, each 6m (20ft) long, are strung sloping down from the top, giving the top section a light guying support.  This top loaded vertical is the primary antenna for the 160 and 80m bands.