[BC] FM bays

[Dana Puopolo]

My response depends upon the shape of your current antenna. If it's in good
shape and performing well, why not reuse it? 3/4 wave spacing is a pretty good
compromise between gain and lobing. If your cities are really that far away, I
doubt you'll see much difference no matter how many bays you use. The only
thing to be aware of is that (of course) the more bays the more complicated
the antenna, hence more can go wrong...and don't think that things don't go
wrong! I had a client that put in a pair of brand new 3 bay 1/2 wave spaced
antennas for his two co-located stations last year and they performed far
WORSE then the old Jampro antennas they replaced! It turns out that both
antennas were manufactured improperly. This was a major manufacturer with a 3
letter abbreviated name. Fortunately, they made good on the antennas-as I knew
they would-but it caused considerable consternation for the owner. Things like
this don't happen very often...but they do happen.
Luckily (for me), I had nothing to do what that project whatsoever.

-D

  
From: Mglin at aol.com

Well some of you know the best answer for this.  Your help is  appreciated.
 
Here is the question.  I am upgrading my FM  C3  25 KW  ERP  245'AGL, moving 
to 328' AGL
Currently using OMB 6 bay with 9.5 KW TPO.  Bays are .75 spaced
 
I have received three different recommendations from people I trust.
 
#1  reduce the number of bays to 3 and increase TPO to 20KW
#2  stay at 6 bays and install a new antenna
#3  increase to 8 bays and reduce TPO more.
 
My target cities are 13-15 miles from the tower site and the terrain is  
relatively flat.
 
Mike