End Fed Long Wire Antennas: Mounting advice
End‑Fed Long Wire Antennas: Mounting Advice
Do not over‑tension wire antennas. Leave a small bend or sag to absorb wind and temperature changes. Use a pulley + counterweight on longer spans so the wire can self‑adjust without overstressing insulators or supports. This greatly improves longevity and maintains performance.
General Notes for EFLW Deployment
EFLWs are non‑resonant and typically work well with lower feedpoint heights than EFHWs. Feedpoint height mainly shapes pattern and efficiency (especially on 160/80 m), not tuning.
Mounting Advice for EFLW Models
EFLW51 (160–30 m) as a Sloper
- DX on 40–30 m: Slope 30–45°; feedpoint 7–10 m. Lower ground loss, better low‑angle radiation.
- NVIS on 160/80 m: Slope 60–75°; feedpoint 3–5 m.
- Multi‑band balance (160–30 m): Slope ≈45°; feedpoint 5–7 m.
- Directivity: Dominant radiation toward the lower end of the slope; steeper = more upward NVIS energy.
EFLW37 (80–15 m) as a Sloper
- DX on 20/17/15 m: Slope 30–45°; feedpoint 5–7 m.
- NVIS on 80/40 m: Slope 60–75°; feedpoint 3–5 m.
- Multi‑band balance (80–15 m): Slope ≈45°; feedpoint ≈5 m.
- Directivity: Dominant radiation toward the lower endpoint; steeper slope adds upward NVIS energy.
EFLW22 (80–10 m) as a Sloper
- DX on 20/17/15/10 m: Slope 30–45°; feedpoint 3–5 m.
- Regional on 20/40 m: Slope 45–60°; feedpoint 3–4 m.
- Limited space: Compact size fits small gardens; 30–45° slope and 3–5 m feedpoint give solid DX/local results.
- Directivity: Shorter length gives sharper directivity toward the lower endpoint; steeper = more NVIS energy.
General Alternatives
Inverted‑V
- Best for: Balanced NVIS + DX on lower bands (EFLW51/EFLW37).
- Feedpoint height: Minimum 3 m; 5–7 m improves efficiency and pattern.
- Pattern: Broadside to the V plane.
Inverted‑U
- Best for: Compact sites, DX on higher bands (EFLW51/EFLW37).
- Feedpoint height: 3–5 m works well with shorter wavelengths.
- Pattern: Broadside to the open ends of the U.
Technical Considerations
- Non‑resonant: Less sensitive to precise feedpoint height for tuning.
- Height impact: Mainly pattern/efficiency on 160/80 m.
- NVIS: Heights as low as 3 m effective on 160/80 m (EFLW51/EFLW37).
- 20–10 m: EFLW22 performs efficiently even at 3–5 m.
Summary
- EFLW51 (160–30 m): Low‑band NVIS + DX on 40/30 m at 5–10 m.
- EFLW37 (80–15 m): Versatile NVIS/DX; feedpoint ≈5 m.
- EFLW22 (80–10 m): Excellent higher‑band results at 3–5 m.
Choose slope and feedpoint to match your space and whether you prioritize NVIS, DX, or a balanced multiband outcome.
Mini‑FAQ
- Should I keep the wire tight? — No. Leave sag; use pulley + counterweight on long spans.
- Where should the low end point? — Toward your desired DX direction for slopers.
- Do EFLWs need exact heights? — No; they’re non‑resonant. Height mainly shapes pattern and efficiency.
- Chokes needed? — Yes. Always add a good common‑mode choke near the feedpoint and at shack entry.
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