HF360 vertical new version advice please

[Adriano9966]

Hi guys . The SRC HF360 was the subject of discussion about 9 years ago on this forum . I had oner of these on my chimney for about that time .

It survived some really high winds and some big storms but last spring was just too much and the entire antenna lifted out of its mounting bracket and has been hanging in that position for the entire lockdown period .

I am now in a position to replace and I have come to the conclusion that the simplest way to resolve this is a straight swap for the new version made by Eurocom. because I am up to my neck in other problems

What is the issue ? The original version had instructions that advised a non conductive mounting pole so like many others on this forum I isolated the mounting pole with a piece of bicycle inner tube .
The newer version does not advise this ! We determined that the SRC version was a transformer fed dipole .This newer version might be different I am not entirely sure .Theoretically a non conductive mast should not present an issue but I am hoping that someone could shed some light on this .

Any advice Many thanks Adrian

[MrWeetabix]

They are probably the same kind of antenna. I believe them to be a 9:1 balun with a vertical length of copper wire (or sections of such) through the middle

If you dont add radials then it will use the outer braid of your coax as a counterpoise.... if it worked before on an insulated pole then thats probably why. The new version will no doubt work the same way. If running any serious power then I’d recommend a 1:1 choke before the radio

[Adriano9966]

So ill just put the new one up and if I ever use any real power I will add a Guanella choke near the radio .The unun is a 6:1 ratio.
Whatever I use will always need to be a compromise due to lack of space .
I am on better terms with the neighbours now since covid lock down which means I will be able to put up a much longer wire over the roof apex at some point . I can only access this from a neighbouring garden . I have tried various fishing pole antennas from my back yard and this does indeed work but not much cop in poor weather .

I have not done anything with radio recently but that will change very shortly . Radio is in my blood

Thanks for the help

[MrWeetabix]

I have managed to get 38m of wire in the air through 'borrowing' a lamp post to the front of the house. I'll be attaching a 9:1 this week. I have some pre-cut counterpoises to sling out, but I have also bought some chicken wire to spread under the deck and also I intend to drive a few earth rods,so I'll see which works best to improve the end-fed. Hoping that will get me on 80m, maybe even 160

[Adriano9966]

I have managed to get 38m of wire in the air through 'borrowing' a lamp post to the front of the house.

I did not think of that hmmm I wonder if I use grass wire anyone would notice? Interesting idea!

[MrWeetabix]

That's a very rough outline of what I imagine the finished antenna setup to be here on my hillside location....

random_end-fed.png

[Adriano9966]

That's impressive Craig I hope you post some photos once it's done

[MrWeetabix]

Its hardly impressive! haha. I had been using a Windom I had made, which has been quite impressive really, but I felt that getting more wire in the air would help. I want to try grounding rods and/or multiple counterpoises to get the best from the end-fed. I think I've consumed all the articles I can from the web on end-feds over the past few weeks, time to see if they work or (more likely) if I understood them properly! haha

This is why I had enough confidence to answer you... its basically a vertical end-fed, so I felt emboldened, but dont take that as me being able to give good advice! lol

[Adriano9966]

Hi all just an update regarding my HF360 replacement .

The newer version is longer than the original and I suspect that the Unun is a 9:1 ratio
I left the original insulation on the mounting pole
It is in the air and it looks awesome

Some really good SWR curves are to be noted and best of all it tunes on top band too

Time will tell but the initial tests are very encouraging . First call Croatia with just 4 watts SSB on 17 metres I suspect my ERP is much less than this though .
Slovenia the same thing but the guy gave me a 5/8 'real report' on 14mhz
In the evening I worked a guy on top band which is no easy undertaking from my location usually due to the high noise levels .
10 is still closed but I suspect it will be really good on that band .

Overall height is well over 60' in the air

My roof is not easily reached so I needed something well made that will survive high winds and not my usual 'Heath Robinson styled construction