In article ,
"Tom" wrote:

Any reason why I shouldn't shorten this ringo I have to 6ft 4in (full
wavelength for 2m) ? Any reasons why I shouldn't use the gnd planes? How
long should they be for that length omni?

Tom-

The reason you do not want a full wave antenna like this, is that it
sends much of its energy up towards the sky instead of towards the
horizon. The 5/8 wave antenna sends the maximum amount towards the
horizon.

You could stack a half wave antenna on top of a 5/8 wave antenna with a
proper phasing network. That might improve your signal towards the
horizon.

Using radials for a ground plane is a good idea. I would make them each
a quarter wave long.

Fred
K4DII

Thank you all for the information,

Very interesting, I am not very good with the golden screwdriver, more of an
appliance operator but love challenges and learning.

Appreciate every word of your expertise.

This project will fly. Now I am studying coax because I will go down to the
local supplier (25miles to the only supplier locally) for some coax. This
has been the discussion on our local vhf band. You chaps would love it or I
wish you were in the chats. Everyone around here has different ideas on
coax. I wont open that can of worms but all I can find available is the RG8U
that is 13 awg center. Hard foam insulation with foil and then 95% braiding.
This coax is a bit larger o.d. which makes it a much much tighter and
snugger fit into the ends. Actually it is the only product around, little
pricy at .45 Cents per foot. I like its size, I didn't want that big think
bulky coax because I always run QRP and like the flexibility and
availablility. I been reading all the charts that show so much loss at so
many feet at which ever frequency at what ever power. All trivial for me
because minimal, all important for you guys with your calculations,
engineering, long lengths and designs for commercial or military or maximum
efficient uses.

I think I have a winner with this coax that is really all I can find
locally, I was wondering about that 13awg center, stranded. Everywhere else
seems to be 18 ga or 20 ga. All thinner. My line of thinking is that I
already have the 13ga in my system. I made a bunch of jumper from it, the
short pieces from rig to tuner or meter, so I wanted to keep it all the same
guage.

Am I thinking this out properly? Can you gents tell me your thoughts on
coax? I don't need to know how its made, just recommendations or suppliers
who sell online the best stuff. I appreciate your expertise.

Thanks

73s





"Fred McKenzie" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Tom" wrote:

Any reason why I shouldn't shorten this ringo I have to 6ft 4in (full
wavelength for 2m) ? Any reasons why I shouldn't use the gnd planes? How
long should they be for that length omni?

Tom-

The reason you do not want a full wave antenna like this, is that it
sends much of its energy up towards the sky instead of towards the
horizon. The 5/8 wave antenna sends the maximum amount towards the
horizon.

You could stack a half wave antenna on top of a 5/8 wave antenna with a
proper phasing network. That might improve your signal towards the
horizon.

Using radials for a ground plane is a good idea. I would make them each
a quarter wave long.

Fred
K4DII