I’m not sure I understand how a firecracker is a better antenna from a technological view unless you mean mechanical stability and durability. From physics, we know that the larger a resonant antenna is for a given wavelength, the stronger
the gain. For example a full wave vertical is superior to a 5/8, ½, or ½ wave vertical. We also know that a ground plane substantially improves vertical antenna efficiency. The ‘wagon wheel’ is the tuned ground plane for a vertical antenna. The firecracker
antenna is shorter than the ground plane antenna (wagon wheel), and it uses the cab roof as the ground plane, which is not a tuned ground plane. A loading coil is probably used to tune the firecracker to the desired frequency, thereby introducing some additional
loss of efficiency. So from a physics standpoint the firecracker antenna is not technologically better than the wagon wheel antenna.
Nelson Moyer, KU0A
From: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io> On Behalf Of
Lyle Dowell
Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:04 PM
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: [CBQ] FT antenna conversion?
Did any of the FTs get a conversion to a firecracker antenna or did they keep the wagon-wheel for the duration? I could see some being replaced as a damage repair. It would seem the firecracker was a better antenna from a technological
view and might have been done for that purpose. Thx
Lyle D