Return-Path: Received: (qmail 25695 invoked from network); 1 Nov 2002 14:23:44 -0000 Received: from murphys.services.quay.plus.net (212.159.14.225) by mailstore with SMTP; 1 Nov 2002 14:23:44 -0000 Received: (qmail 20291 invoked from network); 1 Nov 2002 13:23:05 -0000 Received: from post.thorcom.com (193.82.116.70) by murphys.services.quay.plus.net with SMTP; 1 Nov 2002 13:23:05 -0000 X-SQ: A Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.10) id 187bku-00021W-00 for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Fri, 01 Nov 2002 13:22:32 +0000 Received: from [62.253.162.46] (helo=mta06-svc.ntlworld.com) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.10) id 187bkt-00021N-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 01 Nov 2002 13:22:31 +0000 Received: from oemcomputer ([213.104.100.38]) by mta06-svc.ntlworld.com (InterMail vM.4.01.03.27 201-229-121-127-20010626) with SMTP id <20021101132230.RLZB18329.mta06-svc.ntlworld.com@oemcomputer> for ; Fri, 1 Nov 2002 13:22:30 +0000 Message-ID: <002001c281a9$d29918a0$266468d5@oemcomputer> From: "mike.dennison" To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 13:23:09 -0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Subject: LF: Antenna puzzle Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Spam-Status: No, hits=1.0 required=5.0tests=SPAM_PHRASE_00_01,USER_AGENT_OEversion=2.42 X-Spam-Level: * Sender: Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group ON7YD wrote: >>>>>>>>> During lunchbreak I simulated your antenna (using MMAMA), making some variations on the topload (always with 3 parallel wires). I guessed your elevated inductance as 1mH. Regardless of the topload configuration the radiation resistance is 0.047 Ohm. The reactive part was : for 3 wires joined at the near end (at the elevated coil) = -j3945 Ohm (297pF) for 3 wires joined at the far end = -j3924 Ohm (298pF) for 3 wires joined at both ends = -j3900 Ohm (300pF) for 3 wires joined in a zig-zag configuration = -j3921 Ohm (298.5pF) According to MMAMA the way you join the wires shouldn't make much change (less than 1%), but I do not know how well MMAMA behaves for very short antennas (the figures I get for simple configurations such as a straight vertical or inverted-L seem to be OK). The most efficient way to increase antenna capacity at a limited space seems to be spiral toploading as described by Alan at : http://www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk/spiraltop.htm MMAMA gives a for a 14m high antenna with a 10 by 10m spiral topload (5 turns) and a 1mH elevated coil: radiation resistance = 0.052 Ohm reactance = -j2871 Ohm (408pF) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Rik, Thanks for those observations (McAfee warned me about the unwelcome attachment). The elevated coil is more like 3mH. The one I am using at present is Litz and has a DC resistance of 5ohms. The frequency increase was caused by removing the bridging wire from the coil end of the three parallel top wires. I concluded that this was not because I reconfigured the top section but because the bridging wire was acting as a capacity hat that affected the coil. This is why I did the experiment this week that led to the fire at the top of the mast. I was trying to increase the capacitance close to the coil. I am sure a 10mm spiral top loading would work as per your simulation, but I have also simulated the reaction of my neighbours and the town council. The computer told me I had been lynched and had no more lives left! Back to the drawing board. 73 Mike, G3XDV http://www.lf.thersgb.net ====================