Hi Peter,
I had the same initial experience using a 20m dipole with the feeder
strapped. Signal transformation occurred when I put a loading coil 'aloft' at
the dipole centre. I finally worked Ray GI3PDN and Finbar GI4DPE. There will
be a note about the arrangement in the next issue of Sprat.
I converted the system to a dedicated tee and I now use a link wire to
short the coil and revert the system to an end fed wire with vertical and
horizontal wires thus giving me some LF band capability. Actually it works quite
well on 10m. I share your reservations on possible tree absorption.
The coil is 180 turns on a 65mm plastic pipe which gives a measured 206 uH.
I use a variometer for tuning plus a lower 22 uH coil between variometer and
ground tapped to match into the 50 ohm feeder.
There is a home-brew RF current meter at the top of the variometer. My
ground system consists of one stake but a large number or wires under the front
drive, out into the back field, in a fan under the lawn and wound around our
35ft by 45ft garden. The ATU system lives under the carport and is shared by a
variety of spiders.
Last week my wife laid a new patio. I saw her from the bedroom window
carefully laying three more wires under the slabs. She is not for
sale......
Good luck on the band. I shall listen for you during the day. Incidentally
I am amazed at the lack of interest in this new band which should surely appeal
to the QRP and ex marine radio types.
73
Colin G3VTT
In a message dated 28/06/2007 20:58:14 Greenwich Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
I will be making slow morse test transmissions on 502 kHz until
about 21:30 GMT.
Appreciate reports if anyone can hear me.
73
G3JFS, Peter in Plymouth.
Nothing heard here in the 'Far East' Peter. I'm currently CQing on 502
as well. Maybe our signals are colliding over Swindon?
Is this as good as it gets?
73
G3VTT
co/ba/pa 2E26 final 6w to a Marconi Tee up 30ft - 206 uH loading coil
K2 as tuneable IF
Thanks for the 'nil' report Colin. I am running about 5 watts from
a 5B/254M (the so-called miniature 807) to a 40m doublet with strapped
feeders. The aerial is very poor though as it is lost amongst trees that
surround my garden.
73 Peter G3JFS
