To: QRP-L Subject: Re: [QRP-L] W3EDP type antennas From: GB Hoyt Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:48:50 -0400 List-post: mailto:qrp-l@mailman.qth.net> > I also use a W3EDP style antenna....my version is strictly random > lengths...100ft goes up over a tree limb end fed with an MFJ16101 wire > tuner...I then throw out a 30' "counterpoise" wire. You'll find better results if you keep the 'counterpoise' elevated. The counterpoise is really feedline that radiates, kinda, and negligibly, and really, counterproductively a lot of times. A W3EDP is 85' long on the radiate side, and 17' long on the 'counterpoise' side, for a reason, it's actually an endfed half-wave dipole on 40m, and that 17' is apx 1/8 of a wavelength long, giving the high impedance of the end of the antenna a little sanity. See my article here: http://skattagun.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-favorite-cheap-hf-antenna-w3edp.html for some more information about the W3EDP. It's my favorite portable antenna. > My question is this....can that "counterpoise" wire be laid on the ground > in any direction or should it be placed underneath the upper radiator or 180 > degs from the radiator?? Quick answer: any is fine with a transmatch, Better answer: get it as close to in line with the long wire as possible. see above notes!