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Old April 5th 10, 02:27 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Cecil Moore Cecil Moore is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Aug 2006
Posts: 572
Default velocity factor, balanced line

On Apr 4, 4:19*pm, Bob wrote:
I'm plugging the velocity factor figure into Cecil's program for
optimum feedline lengths on a multiband dipole, IMAXMIN.EXE. Given the
approximate nature of this kind of feed, a ballpark figure is probably
okay.


Yes, given all the variables, adjusting the final length, sometimes by
a few feet (depending on wavelength) is almost always required to
achieve system resonance. Remember that this approach is designed to
eliminate the tuner and therefore eliminate tuner losses and it is
designed to be used with a 1:1 current-choke-balun. Owen's comments
are certainly valid for systems using antenna tuners and 4:1 baluns.
In fact, if one chooses a ladder-line length halfway in between my
"good" (current maximum) and "bad" (voltage maximum) lengths, one will
obtain the odd 1/8 wavelengths points that are recommended for use
with 4:1 baluns. Those points result in a ballpark impedance in the
neighborhood of Z0 +/- jZ0/4, e.g. 400+j100 ohms. For those who
understand a Smith Chart, a picture is worth a thousand words.

http://www.w5dxp.com/smith.htm
--
73, Cecil, w5dxp.com