Sal M. Onella wrote:
Among the SK's posessions was a one-foot
piece of RG-8 or RG-213 which he had carefully modified by cutting away
about 3/16 inch of the jacket and braid all around the circumference of the
cable, near its middle. I am not sure what use this would be to a ham. Ideas?

It's probably a poor-man's slotted line. A needle is
inserted through the center insulation to access the
voltage on the center conductor.
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com