James barrett wrote:
I just read this article from ARRL:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/9312070.pdf
This is exactly what I want to do. Put up a single dipole that I can
use reasonably well on HF bands. The thing I haven't figured out yet
about ladder line yet is how to bring it in to the house.
Lots of ways. In my house, I made a hole below the window that I can
cover with a plate if I move. Some folks use Plexiglas for one of their
windows and drill holes and make jumpers. IIRC Cecil's web pages have a
nice illustration of that. You won't need as many holes if you make a
regular dipole of course.
My current setup is a 10m dipole with RG58 coax feed line shoved under
the back door. Obviously I can't do that with ladder line (aluminum
door). I think I might get away with drilling two holes in the wall
and putting in connectors, then attach the ladder line to the
connectors.
Yep, that will work.
On the other side of the wall.... would I still want to
use ladder line to continue on into the tuner? Or would would I want
to attach a coax at that point from the wall to the tuner?
Run the ladder line the whole way to the tuner. Some folks put a balun
in line and run coax for the last few feet, but the mfj has a balun
built in.
Or maybe I
need to hang my tuner on the wall.
heh, that would be good for excercising!
I'll google around and see
what other people are doing, but I'd like to hear some ideas if anyone
here is using ladder line. (should I change the topic for this
thread?)
Nah, it's pretty much still on topic.
One of the first things though is that there is ladder line, and there
is window line. Most of us use window line, although ladder line has
some advantages. Window line is easier to handle, and should work just
fine for you. It is the poly coated stuff with cut out windows in it-
hence the name.
Cecil, I love your no tuner ladder line idea. I think someday I'll try
that when I have more experience with feed lines and antennas.
My xyl won't let me put one of those in - says it's visually challenged.
- 73 de Mike N3LI -