Do you have a copy of my book, "Reflections--Transmission Lines and
Antennas? If not, some of the chapters from the book are available for
downloading at my web page at www.w2du.com.

Thanks again, Irv,

Walt, W2DU

Wow! Impressive resume Walt. It's funny you should ask about 'Refections'.
I never had the book, but did download
and study the available chapters from your website.

Due to some pretty serious illness and surgery during the past two years I
had to sell my house. At the same time my
prognosis was so limited that I gave away all my equipment, tools, parts,
and books -- most of it to other hams as well
as our local radio club. I had more antenna books than anything. We never
dreamed I would be in condition to operate
a station again and it wasn't easy giving up one of my great loves in
life -- HAM RADIO!

As per Murphy's Laws, my recovery was remarkable, but I had to move into a
seniors residence where nursing
assistance was available, and since then I have had restorative surgery and
am in pretty good condition again.
I am now ready to resume my participation in the hobby, but in a very
downsized manner. I just bought a
Yaesu FT-817ND (an all band/mode QRP rig, the only rig I ever bought brand
new) and am
in the process of building a magnetic loop antenna which I can cleverly
conceal on my balcony.
Basically it is a very simple project, considering the fact that I will be
operating either 5w or 2.5w
and do not have to go overboard on a HV tuning cap. I've always
been a low power operator, knowing that with a little operating skill, and a
'decent' antenna you don't need
a lot to have a bundle of fun. The snow has just cleared from my area
(Calgary, Alberta) and I should be up
and operating pretty soon (as soon as I can concoct a simple insulated
coupling between the tuning cap
drive motor and the capacitor). The principles of the magnetic loop are
simple, and I have been able to
download lots of good hints and kinks over the net -- more than I need.

So I'm a long way from dead, and looking forward to resuming the hobby which
has kept me fully
occupied for many years.

I've helped many fellow hams with invisible antennas -- now it's my turn and
I'm approaching it
with a very optomistic outlook. Starting over is not difficult -- once you
have the knowledge, the
rest is easy. Maybe we'll meet around the bands someday.

Thanks again for all you've given to the hobby! Ohm's Law was easy, but we
needed folks like
you for the antenna understanding.

Irv, VE6BP