Following his 'Easter Parade' on 7MHz Rob Mannion G3XFD chats about the antennas used on the band. It seems that over the years he's taken an interest in what's being used at the other end of the QSO

As I've already mentioned in this month's Keylines, I enjoyed a sustained on the air operating session over the Easter period. During the period I maintained a tradition I've kept since G3XFD first came on the air, by recording the antenna in use by the other station in the QSO.

Looking back over the almost 40 years since I had my first QSO, the log book entries make interesting reading, particularly the equipment in use and the antennas employed by individual stations. There's been tremendous changes in equipment - but fewer changes in the type of antennas used on the band.

Antenna Of Choice

Looking back at my log books from the past, along with the notes regarding equipment used - the choice of antenna was always noted in my paper log books. Incidentally, I was always frustrated with the old log books because of the relatively small space allowed for the small 'comments' section where I recorded the other station's details, etc. Nowadays of course, Amateurs using computer logging can tailor their own needs directly on the screen. That's progress!
From my logging records I can see that the majority of 7MHz stations worked were either using the 'long wire' type antenna, or trapped dipoles. Of course, this was in the days when most of us were still using amplitude modulation (a.m.) and c.w. 40 metres.

The trapped antenna was once very popular, but my logs and notes indicate that fewer stations use this design nowadays. In fact, although I've not had as many QSOs this year so far, due to various problems, it was interesting to look back at the 200 or so QSOs I've had up to the Easter weekend.

Most of my QSOs (87%) have been on c.w., the records show that more than 50% (sorry about the statistics - I won't make a habit of that game!) c.w. stations worked were using dipole antennas on 7MHz. The 'long wire' was favoured by 40% of other stations, with the last 10% using a mixture of designs including Windoms, Carolina Windoms and Zepp antennas.
I've chosen the records from c.w. QSOs because invariably the antenna information is supplied by the other station. When we're on s.s.b. other things seem to creep into the conversation!

International Favourites?

When I work Amateurs from neighbouring Continental countries it's interesting to note that the choice of antennas doesn't change much from those used in the UK and Ireland. And of course there' a good reasons for this - the antennas mentioned are convenient to use and even a small garden can usually take a 7MHz dipole.

Up on 14MHz I'm very often struggling for DX contacts because my dipole is competing with stations using beam antennas. However, on 18MHz (another favourite band of mine) fewer stations seem to be equipped with beam antennas.

For DX work I often use my 10m tall fibreglass fishing rod vertical, in conjunction with an extensive radial system. It works well, but the vertical - even though excellent for DX working due to low angle propagation - rarely appears in my comments section.

So, what antennas do you use as a matter of choice or necessity? I'd like to hear from readers on this subject and perhaps my own statistics will be supported. However, in closing, I'll always bear in mind the cartoon I saw in a magazine years ago - it depicted two and a half officials coming out of the Bureau of Statistics office door on the way to lunch! Statistics can be made to represent whatever you want them to be!

Rob G3XFD

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