Yeah, quarter wave verticals really do poorly.

My first test of my JPC-12/PAC-12 vertical with 2 raised radials for 20 and 40 meters with my 20 and 40 meters QCX-Minis with my then-new vertical:

Now that I’ve yearned how to use this vertical, here’s how less than 2 hours with a KX3 did with a quarter wave vertical  last week:

One hour another day:

Another day:

Another day:

These are mostly 20 CW, with a few 40 meter ventures (I usually activate mid-day/early-PM, when 40 meters has been less than idea).

Beats the hell out of my PAR Endfed, and just about any horizontal wire

Secret? — elevated radials. 

And so, I strongly disagree with your contention that “a quarter wave vertical will be poorer” (than an end fed or center fed). I tested both a PAR EFHW and an OCF (N9SAB) 40-6 meter vs the PAC-12 with an A-B coax switch. RBN validated that - at least on 20 and 40 meters - a well-designed/well-installed vertical is superior.

W3PYF

On Oct 5, 2022, at 17:03, ajparent1/kb1gmx <kb1gmx@...> wrote:

Like all shortend antennas it is low efficiency resulting in low performance..
Its a prettier version of the "Miracle antenna" of FT817 fame.

My sub for that is a load coil and a bungee cord antenna (10ft)
a stand and 6 radials 12ft long.    It works but compared to the
PAR 20M EFHW its pretty poor.  Generally 1-2 S units down from
the 20M (33ft long HW at 25ft).  Its upside and only upside is IF
you have no trees its better than no antenna at all.

THe half wave either end fed or center fed is your standard. 
A Quarter wave vertical will be poorer
A loaded vertical will be further poorer depending how much its shortend.

In antennas size really does matter.

Allison
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