On Sat, 05 Feb 2005 19:08:42 GMT, ml wrote:

i just discovered a part of my roof which is flat, is covered with
copper, it measures about 50ft by 75ft and soldered it's still new so
it shows good w/my ohmmeter

just wondering as it's not grounded, if i tried to tune this up w/my
tuner , how effective would this by on hf??


tnx

You might try it. Use some for of balanced line to the plate.
Connect one side of the balanced line to the plate and leave the other
empty. If you find another piece of metal there such as a gutter or
vent pipe, you might consider connecting to it.

While a balanced antenna might be best, you may find that just the
copper plate works well. In the antenna handbook or ARRL handbook are
end-fed antennas where the balanced line only feeds on one side to the
antenna.

This may not be the perfect antenna, but there is no reason it
shouldn't at least work some. I have loaded up the screen door and
talked across the country. It wasn't my ideal antenna, but it was fun
to play with

Good luck.

Buck
N4PGW

--
73 for now
Buck
N4PGW