Hi,
I just read James Duffey's post about Quads. I think that quads
still have a bad reputation for being fragile things. I have had
quite the opposite observations.
About 5 years ago I purchased a Lightning Bolt 5 band quad. I
admit it was really fun to put up, and without the help of a quite
creative friend, (who was really good at climbing towerrs), I
still would have the quad on the ground.
We have had severe ice storms, snow and about as bad winds as you
can imagine. Had a tornado recently not far away, and heard the
howling at my door as I dashed into the house just in time. I used
a very heavy walled steel? I believe mast. The antenna is still in
perfect condition, the mast is slightly bent. I will have to bribe
my friend to help straighten it out and change out the rotor, but
the quad still doesn't need any work. I think this is pretty durn
good considering the WX we have had.
In addition, with my AT11, I can tune from 80-10, not too bad for
a $250 or so antenna (that I got to build). The antenna blows the
doors off any yagi I have used. It has done exceptionally well on
the bands it was designed for :-) I have milliwatted around most
of Europe and almost never have trouble working QRP in contests
with it (except the recent ARRL DX contest).
thems my 2 bits
72
Jeffro, AC4HF
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