Decca HiFix Antennas
The standard HiFix antenna system consisted of a 32ft vertical pole, standing on a base insulator and earth spikes. The capacitance of the antenna was increased by using a top capacity hat, which utilised the top part of the upper set of guys.
The antenna requires an effective earth counterpoise consisting of a large number of radials extending out as far as possible from the base.
The photograph of the station at Seahouses, Northumberland is a typical example of this type of antennna. Ian Jackson, G3OHX points out that this antenna design is designed to minimise the skywave component, which of course would reduce the effectiveness of Hi-Fix. Ian built antennas to this pattern for use on the 160m amateur band and confirms that they only really gave groundwave range contacts. Ian also points out that the top sections of the middle guys aren't insulated from the tower. Like him, I would have expected them to be- in fact the original version of my drawing above showed this.
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Last Update 14/5/05 prev 27/4/05 AC