On Mon, 5 Dec 2011 09:01:15 -0800, "Wayne"
wrote:

I am using a whip antenna mounted on a metal patio cover. Results are good
on 10 and 12 meters, and contacts have been made down to 40 meters.
(Matches were not obtained on 15 or 30 meters) The whip is 8.5 ft long (a
longer whip is under consideration). It is fed through an antenna tuner and
about 25 feet of RG-58. I'm about to replace that with RG-8.

Any comments on how to hold down feedline losses. One suggestion is to use
two parallel lengths of RG-8 so that half the current runs through each.
Also, site geometry would allow open wire feed.

Possibilities?

Sorry, Parallel cables would give you twice the losses. Also, what it
would do for matching will vary by frequency but not likely anything
you want. Lower loss coax is always a good idea but with only 25 feet
total your losses may not be enough to notice. Vertical antennas are
usually at their best at 1/4 wave length long for the purpose of
radiation. In practice, if you get it tuned up well enough to take
power, it will work!

I have a 28 foot vertical antenna that sometimes outperfoms my 3
element beam. It is tuned with an SGC autotuner.

There is a lot of information on the internet for free, Google a bit
and keep at it. I seem to enjoy working on antennas more than using
them.

BTW, Check out the ARRL.NET site. There is a 10 meter contest in a
week or so that your antenna will around the world...
John Ferrell W8CCW