On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 13:34:38 -0800, Jack Twilley
wrote:
Oh, I see your point here. What you're saying is that my dipole is so
far from the ideal that reaching 50 ohms won't mean anywhere near the
same thing that it does to the ideal case. That begs the question,
then -- if not 50 ohms, what is the best value for my particular
configuration?

I am really interested in knowing what sort of target values would
represent an optimal configuration, if that's at all possible.

Jack.

Hi Jack,

For the height you are at, you are probably already at the optimal
solution. If you could optimize further, at this height, it would
barely eke out 1dB difference. Ground dominates your design.

This is a heresy with dipole aficionados, but building a ground screen
will help toward the quickest, easiest 1dB return. You don't have to
do anything but shallow bury copper for the length of dipole + 20% and
maybe a quarter wavelength wide, beneath it. It need not attach to
anything to be beneficial. A grid of wires, 1M on a side is a good
first step.

You will undoubtedly note a tuning change, use a tuner to adjust (you
need it anyway). Some may distract you pointing out that it simply
sends more signal up. True, but as a screen, it removes loss, and
allows more signal out toward the horizon too.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC