DX Engineering 4-BTV, Руководство по установке

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
Height is not a requirement for HF Verticals. Unlike horizontally oriented antennas, ground
mounted vertical antennas used for HF sky wave communications only require a radial
system for performance. If an HF quarter-wave vertical antenna is elevated, then it requires
resonant, quarter wavelength, tuned radials to be efficient and functional. Safer ground-
mounted installations can produce results far superior to elevated HF verticals with a few
radials.

For low-angle performance, a horizontal antenna requires height, and if it is directional, may
not be able to be rotated, or it requires a tower and rotator. In comparison, an omni-
directional HF vertical installed with many radials offers an excellent performance-to-cost
value.
Some Brief Words on Ground Mounting, Elevated Mounting, and Radial Wires
Ground Mounting
There are multiple ways to install a Hustler
®
BTV antenna. The most efficient way is to ground
mount the antenna, keeping clear of any metal objects and using a good ground radial system.
Ground mounting your quarter-wave vertical antenna will produce significantly improved long
range results when your installation includes a good ground-level radial wire system.
Seven decades
of experiments show that ground mounting with many radials is your best choice.
Safety is another important consideration when comparing ground mounting to
roof-top or elevated mounting of your quarter-wave vertical. The DX
Engineering
Tilt Base offers a safer and easier ground mounted installation. One
person can walk-up and tilt-down the antenna for adjustments without a ladder.
The new, more versatile Tilt Base models are also helpful when high winds are
expected. Order the Tilt Base model
DXE-TB-3P for your Hustler
®
BTV.
Elevated Mounting
You may also elevate the Hustler
®
BTV antenna. However, when elevating the antenna the radial
system becomes more difficult to deploy in that you need specific length radials that must also be
elevated, running symmetrically away from the feedpoint.
In some situations, an elevated or roof-mounted vertical installation is the only option. Resonance-
tuned radials must do the job of collecting RF currents. Imagine all of the quarter-wave resonant
length wires attached to the base of the antenna, spreading
radially (away from the base of the
vertical in all directions). For best DX performance, these radials should slope down from the
elevate vertical at a 45 degree angle. You can connect the ends of the long radials to support poles
or trees. Use the same care as you would for a dipole antenna, keeping the ends insulated and clear
of any metal. We recommend four resonant radials per band to enhance low angle radiation. More
information on planning and installing the elevated quarter-wave vertical appears later in Chapter 9.