Ford, N0OQW wrote:
"I measured the transformer with the autek. It seems to be very low
insertion loss and doesn't get more than just warm after many minutes of
800 watts."
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If the transformer is getting warm at only 800 watts, that's lost power.
==========
"But, will it provide a better pattern or ERP? That's the issue. I am
certain I could figure out 50 different ways to get a match.
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Assuming lossless components in either case (450 ohms or 50 ohms), the
pattern and ERP will be the same.
==========
Does it improve my SNR?"
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Anything you do to the feed system, good or bad, will not change the
receive S/N an iota. There's no difference in S/N on a given antenna
whether it's 1% or 100% efficient (as long as you do not change the
antenna itself).
Some hams may think that the S/N will improve if you add radials. Not
so. Only the radiation efficiency of the antenna will improve.
==========
"I figure I could easily spend a weekend up and down the tower and drop a
few bucks in components."
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That's one advantage of going to a 50-ohm tap height -- much less to
climb to get to the attachment to the tower. I particularly don't like
climbing very high, myself.
==========
"I am investigating whether anybody would "hear" any difference. I have
a system that seems to work. I could easily modify things and get them
to the point where I can't go back to as good as what I've got. I am
nervous about messing with it. I will if it makes the difference between
a QSO or not."
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You'll never know the answer to that unless you change the feed system.
The only real way to know is to take a field strength reading (at a mile
or so away) before you make any changes, then another after altering the
feed.
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"At this point I am leaning towards Rauch's response--Splitting hairs..."
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Changing the feed would probably add less than a dB to your signal. I
guess we'll never know for sure.
73, de Earl, K6SE
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