Hi Richard,

My beginner's understanding is that I would have a better multi-band
antenna utilizing a balanced feedline than with coax. I had seen a couple
of recommendations by doing internet searches. Several operators spoke
highly of the ~540' loop with balanced feed. I have a nice old 250W
Johnson matchbox on hand. Again, my beginner's understanding, the more
wire=the better, so I figured this long loop would be a good antenna for
"all" bands.

I am just now setting up a station for the first time. I need to think I
know what I am doing long enough to simply put something into action for
fear I will spend forever in a complex endless decision making matrix. I
enjoy trips to the hardware store and the junkyard, I haven't even been
on the air yet......(or at least since 1953....).

I figure antenna concerns are first, a good ground, then I need to think
about some serious equipment. This can be a bit overwhelming. Ihis next
Sat. I will be going to a local hamfest (my first one), hopefully to meet
some locals and make friends (mentor's, Elmers, etc.), also to track down
the guy with the bow and arrow who can get a line up my Eucalyptus tree
(165'+) for another possible antenna in an alternate shack on the
property......

actually, now that I think of it, my whole involvement in ham radio at
this moment (besides the fun of studying for the exams last month) is
dreaming of antenna farm.

just the other night while listening to some local maniacs on 3840, now I
realize I need to get my Extra if I want to be able to chime in at that
frequency.....those guys last night almost shattered my naive expectation
that hams are always gentlmen, a pursuit of integrity I personaly fully
intend to promote in my own operating demeanor. Apparently there is some
"famous" AM talk show host involved with that little late night net.....
shame on them....

Great, now I have a shopping mission.....go out and buy the Extra exam
book.....I do actually enjoy studying and learning.....

Now....a trip to the junk yard to find an old fashion DPDT Knife switch
I can mount on the wall so I can switch my incoming balanced line from
the Johnson to the Kenwood tuner....


help!.....


73

Bill (KG6UHM)



Richard Clark wrote:

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 06:23:13 GMT, zeno wrote:

Any recommendations on a specific type of commercially made window
(ladder) line? I see that it comes in a variety of configurations
and slight differences in Z.

This feed line will be for a full wave 160m loop.

Hi Bill,

You repeatedly characterize this as 160M and given the size and height
- Why do you think you need ladder line when it will in all
probability fit quite nicely into a coax?

In free space, it may show as much as 140 Ohms R; however, within the
cold embrace of earth only 50 feet away, you will barely muster 35
Ohms at resonance.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC