The Carolina Windom is very popular with modern hams, and at the same time is commonly the discussion of problems in online fora.
The question is whether it is its popularity that is the reason for cries for help, or whether there is something inherently high risk in the ‘design’.
The original Windom
The first type is the classic ‘original’ Windom with single wire feed which folk lore explains as a horizontal wire being tapped at a point where Z matches the vertical ‘single wire’ feeder, that there is not a standing wave on the feed line, and that it does not radiate. Traditional characterisation as a single-feeder Hertz
denies the existence of the vertical radiating element.
It is a folly to designate the vertical wire as a non-radiating feeder, it carries an RF current that contributes to radiation just like current on the horizontal wire does. Continue reading Some thoughts on the popular Carolina Windom antenna