An 80-Meter Vertical Helix
Like many amateur radio operators, I live on a small lot surrounded by neighbors, utility lines, and civic-minded citizens concerned about the "attractiveness" of my community. Whether by design or outright fear, I've adopted the "stealth" approach to ham radio antennas. It's the old "out of sight, out of mind" idea applied to amateur radio antennas. The amateur radio press is full of articles describing the struggle of amateur radio operators to pursue their hobby under the burdensome regulations of CC & Rs, HOAs, and other civic minded citizens who object to antenna farms. So far, my modest verticals, loops, and inverted vees have blended well with the vegetation and trees bordering my small backyard. Vertical antennas have always been a problem because of the limited space for a radial system. There are times, however, where a shortened vertical for the lower HF bands (such as 80/75 meters) is necessary where horizontal space is lack