Thunderpole Galaxy 5/8 antenna now operational

Hi All,
     I've had a busy Saturday afternoon!!
I now have a Thunderpole 5/8 Galaxy Antenna in the air and it's only taken me a year to achieve that!
This antenna is in addition to my full wave delta loop and replaces my Sirio Signal Keeper.
I used the shorter of the two supplied tuning tips set slightly shorter than the mark indicated to bring the minimum SWR to a slightly higher frequency than usual.

The SWR is as follows:-
CEPT CH1 1:1.8
CEPT CH40 1:1.1.2
UK CH1 1:1.1
UK CH40 1:1.3

Given I'm usually at the top end of the CEPT block on LSB and sometimes UK FM this seems OK for my needs. I suppose 1:1.8 is usable so I'll live with it.

With my Delta loop the SWR is very flat and covers both the CEPT and UK FM bands and more with an SWR of less then 1:1.2.

When I first switched on the radio with the Thunderpole Antenna connected I heard some people talking at good signal strength but now the UK FM is dead and there's no DX to be heard on the usual CEPT CH38 LSB so I'll just have to be patient before I can put this new bit of kit to the test.

Good DX!!!

Nice one Lynton, it's got to be an improvement over the Signal Keeper, hopefully conditions improve soon. Good luck.

Best 73 Gary.

Gary,
     Thanks!!!!
Yes I do seem to be hearing more "locals" than usual but as yet not much in the way of DX.

Regards

1.8:1 SWR isn't going to be killing anything and you'd notice no benefits from getting it lower. Enjoy.

Indeed!!!
It'd be nice to see it a little lower but I'm certainly not going to stress about it, I just need the DX conditions to pickup now.
There were some Italians and French on LSB at the top end of the CEPT block today and into the evening but so far no Americans whatsoever.
The USA and Canada were regulars on the delta loop but that was before the solar storm so I am not at all concerned that i'm not hearing them on the Thunderpole.

Cheers