Bob,

Re using a sailboat's mast and all rigging as an HF antenna:

In my opinion using the entire rig, mast and all stays and shrounds as an
antenna would give one 1. a problem eliminating the ground connections of
every element while maintaining lightening protection for every element, and
2. depending on the frequencies used, it would produce a rather pretty wierd
and unoptimized set of radiation pattern "take-off angles", on the various
frequencies, especially on the higher frequencies. Also, generally the
radiation pattern on the mid to low HF frequencies, would tend to favor
medium range communications, (500-1500 nm), vs having good short range, (
500 nm), or long range communciations, ( 1500 nm).

Bob Cook K9KKY

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