On 16 Jun 2005 10:29:02 -0700, "Al" wrote:

[snip
I said I was done with this subject, But ........ I can't take it
anymore.

I thought I was too but I can't take it anymore either.


Again, the Arrow Antenna OSJ Antenna does NOT need a choke balun.

No antenna *needs* a balun. Most will deliver more predictable
performance when they incorporate one however. Your's is not an
exception, in fact, it's a glaring example of where one *should be*
used. Furthermore, a non-conductive support should be used as well.
A balun on a piece of coax that is in parallel with a conductive mast
is worthless.

If these things aren't used, then you are selling only part of the
antenna system; the upper part...with the user is supplying the lower
part. I suppose you could argue that the part you sell, when mounted
directly on an infinite ground plane, doesn't need a balun, but I
don't see that limitation spelled out in your literature.


By that I mean it will make no noticeable difference in performance of
this particular antenna.
(I am not lumping all VHF & UHF antennas together. I am ONLY talking
about the OSJ).

When "performance" is measured by whether or not you can break the
squelch of the local repeater, then you are correct, it makes no
difference as long as the squelch is broken.


If you don't have a physical Arrow Antenna OSJ to test with and without
a balun, you don't know what you are talking about.
That goes for computer modeling also. You can't hook up a radio to
computer model.

Uh huh. So since you don't trust modeling, I guess you have a high
class antenna range that you use to design your antennas. That must be
how you substantiate such claims as, "This antenna has a good
combination of gain, front/back & bandwidth" and where you prove that
the pattern of your J-pole is unaffected by the supporting mast and/or
transmission line.

Whoops---wait a minute---right he

http://arrowantennas.com/inst/ijpole.html

I see 3D radiation plots made from a *COMPUTER MODEL*.

Plus I see SWR plots that (convienently) are 1.0:1 over the whole
2-meter band. That is amazing. My dummy load isn't that good.

Look. I'm sure you're a very nice guy and we would probably enjoy
having a few beers together. I've already commented on your ingenuity
in designing and constructing your production machinery and your
products seem to be very well made.

But your performance claims are over the top and while I know that
almost everybody in the ham antenna business is prone to rub a little
snake oil on their ads, it doesn't mean that I'm going to agree with
it or refrain from skewering those who do it.