* Brian Kelly [07/17/2005 22:19 UTC]:
Yeah, $140 difference. Question about that though... wouldn't the
AH-4 be a better choice for another reason? That reason being that
the AH-4 is designed to connect to the wire directly at the feed
point, whereas the MFJ is apparently designed for in-shack use.

Yes and no, it's a matter of several tradeoffs Elden. Right now I'm up
to ears in alligators so QRX and I'll get back to you late Monday with
some comments.

Ok Brian. I appreciate the advice you've given. I do understand that
there sometimes is disagreement between hams regarding certain things,
like having a portion of a radiating element in the shack.

Personally, I think I'd opt for an outdoor-mounted AH-4 for reasons of
efficency, convenience, and safety. But it is nice to know that other
options exist. So right now, my preferred solution is an ICOM IC-718,
with an AH-4 and a longwire. I think that should work nicely.

After surveying the new apartment location a little more closely, looks
like I could run a horizontal longwire, roughly parallel to the ground
for 100ft into a tree with some sort of insulator on the end. Then I
would do the "in apartment" counterpoise/RF ground. This would probably
be about 20/30ft off the ground... second floor height.

Regarding your explanation for getting various wires from indoor to
outdoor, I've taken the exact same approach. Using a thin 2x2 in the
window with cables running in through an opening in it. Seems to work ok
and no permanent holes in the structure.

--
-=Elden=-
http://www.moondog.org