Richard Clark wrote:

On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 03:22:28 GMT, Ron wrote:


I plan to use a 3 conductor white AC extension cord running along the eaves of
my house instead of the regular whip that came with my screwdriver antenna.
(There will be some slack to allow for coil movement). The idea is to disguise
the antenna (the base will be hidden). Plus this will give me more length -
probably about 25 ft. I will connect all 3 wires together at the bottom, but
plan to leave them unconnected at the top. Or should I connect them? Any
disadvantages?

Thanks,

Ron, W4TQT


Hi Ron,

As odd as it may sound, you may end up with too much wire for the
screwdriver. But it certainly is worth a try and simple enough to
change.

As an alternative, split the wire and connect half to the shell side
of the screwdriver (or maybe a third to a quarter). You need to
replace the missing car chassis as counterpoise (or let the feedline
do that through Common Mode).

I am using the radial system consisting of 8 X 10 ft wires that came with the
antena.

1 wire, 2 or 3 are not going to make much difference, and you would
gain on the invisibility side of things by going with a single
conductor.

Wouldn't using all 3 wires give me the effect of a larger diameter wire which
would result in a broader tuning antenna?

Ron
73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC