This article documents my build of Lou Destefano’s (VK3AQZ) RF Power Meter kit.
The power meter is based on probes using an AD8307 logarithmic detector.
Above, the RF Power meter with two probes. (The ferrite sleeves were not part of the kit.) Continue reading VK3AQZ RF power meter (RFPM1)
My friend Richard found himself located on the margins of coverage of the local 2m repeater where multi path reception was the main problem, a but a little lift in signal would also help.
This begs a small Yagi solution. Continue reading A compact 3 element Yagi for 2m
A reader of my article Are gamma matches as bad as all that asked whether the W5VJB dipole was a gamma match given the hint in the article that the traditional gamma tuning capacitor is not essential to a gamma matched antenna.
Above (Britain 2006) is the subject dipole which Britain describes as a partial folded element having a J shape which is grounded at the midpoint of the longest portion of the element.
((Duffy2010b) refers to it as a half folded half wave dipole.)
Continue reading Is the W5VJB J dipole novel
Seeing the comment recent online comment about a gamma match as I have noted from research online, NEC does not support modelling of the match component
reminds one of the unreliability of online sources. This appeal to non-authority is fallacious, this writer writes as if it is fact that NEC does not support modelling a gamma match, and that is quite wrong.
NEC has limitations on geometry elements relative to each other and to wavelength, and those apply not just to the gamma match, but the entire model. It is the modeller’s challenge to stay within those limitations.
This article documents an NEC model of a real antenna and the model reconciles with the real antenna. Continue reading Are gamma matches as bad as all that
The subject question is often asked, and the usual responses are mindless recitals of Rules of Thumb (RoT).
In the light of the discussion at Feed line length affect on VSWR and The half waves of coax rule for measuring VSWR accurately, lets consider the subject question and develop a rational answer. Continue reading Where is the best place to measure feed point VSWR
This article explores the way in which VSWR varies along a feed line.
The graph above shows R and X, and VSWR along a feed line with a 100+j0Ω load at 3.6MHz. The feed line is Belden 8262 50Ω coax, manufacturing tolerances are taken to be zero, and the displacement is relative to the feed point, ie -ve distance is distance before the feed point, the feed point then is at the right hand side of the graph.
Continue reading Feed line length affect on VSWR
Readers of my article Galvanised steel wire OCF dipole have asked whether the analysis applies to an ordinary centre fed half wave dipole, and this answer is no, not exactly, but very close.
The current distribution on the OCF is very slightly different to a CF dipole, and this causes a very slight change in loss, 16.55W vs 16.68W.
Fibre rope has applications in antenna rigging, typically for halyards and tails to support the ends of wire antennas such as dipoles. The use of fibre rope for guying applications has issues due to shrinkage when wet.
Much is made of the ‘best’ fibre rope for these applications, and the almost universal answer is black Dacron (Polyester) in small sizes from 2.5mmm to 6mm diameter. The smaller sizes are usually a braided construction, commonly known as venetian cord. Claims are that the Polyester rope is strong, UV proof and rot proof. Whilst Polyester rope is resistant to mild acids and alkalis, it is damaged by strong alkalis (such as might develop when an alkaline solution dries on the rope). Continue reading Synthetic fibre rope for antenna rigging
New hams are often advised quite poorly, justified by the mantra that “any antenna is better than no antenna at all”. The more confident the advisor, the more jargon, the more unsupported, the more the advice is soaked up by eager newbies. Not just soaked up, but learned so the newbie can talk like the pro… even if they also do not understand the subject matter. Spruiking BS has always been a feature of ham radio.
Recent online discussion illustrated and recommended a 40m dipole strung on a timer fence at a height of about 1.5m to a new ham with a 10W power limit in search of good solutions from ‘experts’. Continue reading Effect of ground on HF horizontal dipole efficiency
There is little doubt that overall, hams have dumbed down as technology has raced ahead.
An interesting result of this is the appearance of new antenna analysers aimed at the dumb ham.
What is the dumb ham in this context? Continue reading The sign of reactance