On 6/27/2011 12:44 AM, Sal M. Onella wrote:

I was seeking optimization and I got it. Example: My TS-870
electronic display lights up five little dots for a 1.5:1 SWR. As
installed, the new antenna gave me only three little dots -- most of
it probably right at the back of the radio in the transition to 75
ohms. I am very, very pleased with the results.

The fun part of antenna modeling, at least for me, is seeing how close
the real thing meets the design. We put up an antenna for FD, an 80
meter cut for the cw portion of the band, and hit it on the first try.

As for folks tuning up rain gutters and wire salvaged from an old
toaster, then making an antenna out of it, that's fun too, but the final
result isn't likely to be optimum.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -