I’m planning to set up a 1/4wl vertical on my roof. I’m looking at the DX Commander Rapide since it’s a relatively lightweight fiberglass mast, has a convenient radial plate and coax connection, and is not too much more than the cost of parts.

Checking my understanding: You need a 4:1 unun if you’re building a non-resonant vertical, such as Coastal Waves and Wires’ build of the Rybakov, but since the Rapide is a “fan vertical” with resonant elements, it would not need a transformer. But, it could potentially have a 1:1 current choke at the feed point. I don’t see either a 4:1 or 1:1 on the Rapide’s product page or looking around at some other installations, but I think I’ll add a 1:1.

And, would anyone anticipate problems installing near solar panels? I’m considering a permenant installation at the white sewer vent PVC which is currently supporting my homebrew dipole (which is not working well). I may just array the radials downslope (it sounds like there’s minimal loss from not having them all the way around), or do more, shorter radials all the way around (sounds like that’s equivalent).

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