G5RV VS VERTICAL

[@timmotel5804]

Very interesting. Two things. I like that you actually demonstrate while talking & a longer video gives more time to demonstrate and explain. Thank You

[@michaelmullins9874]

This is pretty typical for a vertical/dipole test. I have done both ways doing Parks On The Air, the vertical is always noisy but reaches further and I cannot hear anyone. Whenever possible, I use the G5RV dipole because it is a much quieter antenna, however much harder to sling into a tree. So it is a toss up and a personal choice.

[@Sky1]

I think if the vertical was far from your house like the G5RV the noise floor might be more similar

[@fredshead3956]

Hi there, just my opinion for what it worth, i think when you put a 4:1 balun at the bottom of the 450 line you no longer have a g5rv, you have converted it into a Doublet, or double zepp antenna, the original design by Lous Varney had 75 coax to a tuner or radio straight onto the 450 ladder line, , i belive the g5rv is resonant on 20mts only, so thats a good way to check if its working, apart from that you need a tuner on all the other bands, he seem to have designed it in the first place and some kind of 1.1/4 wave antenna on 20 or something like that, well thats my opion anyway 73 Fred in England g4vvq.

[@kevinmccarthy6175]

By using the 4:1 balun, you no longer have a G5RV. You've transformed it into a ladderline-fed doublet. I suspect your results would have been somewhat different without the balun.

[@rodspencer2000]

You are right! I was just in the mood for playing with things the way they were not meant to be, experimenting if you will. The balun gave my tuner a bit more ability, and a way to hook to my coax. I had chopped off the original so239 that came on the end of the ladder line. 73

[@AngelMartinez-qn9od]

Que antena vertical tu usaste en esa prueba

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

Want to use a 1:1 normally But if you put the twinlead together on 1 post of the balun run a counter poise off the other lead of the 4:1..it will run on 160 fairly well. Im working on a switch box to switch the g5rv to an end fed and back to a g5rv

[@rodspencer2000]

COOL, sounds fun, hope your projects work out for you. I am always changing things up, not because I havent already found a great antenna, but is just my nature of wanting to know the differences.

[@joewilson2258]

Your vertical should be farther away from your home and I think that the noise is coming from the different electronic devices in your home as well as the electric lines supplying your home .

[@rodspencer2000]

My TV power supply was the big problem! The television died a few weeks after I shot this video and we bought a new TV. Have not had that kind of noise sense. I have also moved and was able to put two antennas in the air at about a hundred feet high each.

[@daveN2MXX]

It is great to see someone experimenting!! But...A dipole 18' above the ground? Just because an antenna "tunes" means very little. Proximity to your house is also important for noise reception, and could be unrelated to antenna performance.

[@rodspencer2000]

You put it well, just an experiment. My dipole I use now is up about 100 feet

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

Ditch the 4:1 balun. Run 300 or 450 ohm ladder line to the antenna feed point then to a Palstar wide range tuner. Make the antenna the longest you can make it, for your lowest band. Like 160 or 80. Put it up as high as you can get it. Use the wide range trans match to radiate the antenna on all bands.

[@rodspencer2000]

I am currently using an off-center fed dipole up at a hundred feet. That one seems to perform very very well

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

@@rodspencer2000 nice

[@carlgriebno5691]

Don’t compare a low radiation angle antenna with (mostly) an NVIS antenna.

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

Buy a Spiderbeam Pole. They make a 89 foot pole now. Use it to suspend an inverted V Doublet. If you are rich buy 3 and make it an 89 foot flat top doublet.

[@colinjones6404]

Rodney, Can you inform me what brand/model the 4to1 balan was please.??

[@rodspencer2000]

LDG 4:1 Balun

[@brianstoneley227]

Make one yourself. So simple and rewarding to do so . Best wishes Brian.

[@MrTrigem16]

is it me or can you really do a swr test in ssb mode without shouting into that microphone you have connected

[@rodspencer2000]

I prefer to do swr in am or rtty

[@larrywillis475]

What kind of pole are you using? You just said it was from hardware store, I have been searching for a way to get mine up high enough.

[@rodspencer2000]

I was using the MFJ-1908HD 50 foot heavy duty telescoping fiberblass mast- 8 feet per section - with the quick clamps. This thing is NOT self supporting, you will need to put guy ropes on it. Focus on safety, this thing can get wobble while erecting it, I found that 2 sets of guy ropes seen to do the trick. Don't expect to put a Huge antenna on it, an a99 or imax 2000 will probably be ok. Wire antennas are good too, I don't think a Beam antenna would fair to well. No matter what you do in this wonderful hobby, HAVE FUN! that is all that matters, 73...

[@w4dve]

Did you find any QSOs and compare receive? Any on air tests?

[@rodspencer2000]

W4DVE how are you doing bud? Other than a few ft8 contacts, no. The wind was pushing that thing all over the place shortly after I shot the video. Overall the vertical seem to perform much better, except that one Canadian guy on the noontime net.

[@dmb3428]

Im still a newbie when it comes to antennas, does the vertical have more noise due to the fact it is less directional than the dipole ?

[@accessiblenow]

vertical orientation has more noise sources than horizontal.

[@rodspencer2000]

It certainly can, just about every electronic device out there makes noise and some are worse than others. Verticals have a lower takeoff angle then dipoles at lower levels to the ground, this improves my chances for getting DX contacts. I do have noise challenges every now and then , but they're not constant.

[@bolambbikes909]

The di-pole is actually more directional then the vertical if you only consider the RF that is actually being used especially for a DX contact. The Vertical generally has a higher noise floor due to most man made interference or noise coming from vertically polarized sources.

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

you could of go to wwv 10.000 mhz

[@hamradiofun5527]

Pound's? That's CB lingo!

[@rodspencer2000]

Probably, been a cb'er longer than a ham. Stuff happens, 10-4? ;)

[@lewisg6987]

Why you tuning on usb

[@Swaggerlot]

So you ran a test of what your rig could match to? What's your call?....KWALMART

[@rodspencer2000]

Ham call is ae7qt, cb handle is Rodan

[@jeffreywolfe1569]

It's that type of smug attitude that pushes folk away. KD9MHD. By the way I enjoyed the comparison.

[@johndoby2114]

I agree with @Jeffery Wolfe. If he's experimenting, he's learning...don't be so negative. It's not gentleman-like.

[@n3iyr]

You lost me when you refer to S-units as "POUNDS"

[@scottdematteo]

Old CB lingo. 10-04? LOL

[@KR8T]

Listening for noise without a signal is useless.

[@brianstoneley227]

The G5RV is a pet hate of mine . It’s not resonant on any amateur bands . It’s a total compromise that can be easily out performed by so many other antenna designs. Don’t be taken in by the bull shit. Make something different. Best wishes Brian.

[@rodspencer2000]

I had to own one because of all the trash talk, needed to learn for my self! Your are right, it is an antenna of great compromise! I have been playing with the doublet antenna, same as G5RV but with 100' of ladder line, It works, make lots of contacts, but the basic dipole cut to resonance is soooooooo much better!

[@_0815_]

​@@rodspencer2000comparing a resonant monoband dipole to a multiband antenna is rather unfair. Several bands on one antenna or peak performance, pick one.

[@bg8fairpoint610]

Almost everything we do is a compromise size money versatility just to name a few. I have run the same g5rv for years and have had a lot of luck with it and it is versatile enough to keep me happy. yes if i ran a resonant ant. for each band i would likely have better luck but the amount of money and time spent switching ant. and repairing and raising would take away from it. I have a vertical and it is nothing but noise in my urban area unfortunately. getting a stronger signal on vertical at s9 is great but at s3 youl hear them on the quiter dipole. playing with antennas and placement if half the fun. If I ever had a perfect setup i dont know if i would enjoy the hobby as much.

[@lawpickinglocksmith7689]

You promised us a comparison but just provided noise! Lame!!

[@rodspencer2000]

I should be able to redo that one of these days. I have new radio & new house, still have vertical & a dipole up in the air. I will be home middle of next month. I will see what I can do. Very least, besides noise, check WWV with both antennas.

[@ea77hj]

What band was the vertical tuned to and what were its characteristics? Absurd and invalid comparison, IMHO. EA7HJ.

[@georgebodley8068]

ZS6BKW much better than the G5RV