Topband
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Topband: Elementary Inverted L questions

To: topband reflector <Topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Elementary Inverted L questions
From: N4ZR <n4zr@comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:39:34 -0400
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Thanks to everyone who has replied so far, and apologies - I did a lousy job of describing the antenna.  First off - I set out to make it 1/4 wave (approximately 128 feet) long, and the starting length of wire (what I actually put up) was 140 feet.   Vertical portion is about 55 feet, and the horizontal part is more or less level. The feedpoint choke is wound on a #43 core (I think), which may make it a bit more credible.  The measured minimum SWR is 2.2 at 1925 KHz, and resonance (X crossing zero) is at 1983 KHz.  All measurements made at the base of the antenna

Now here's the part I *really* don't understand - at X=0, the R measures 119 ohms. Working from memory, I think the old L was resonant about 1875 KHz, and the R was on the order of 35 ohms, which I was told made sense for a quarter-wave with a lossy ground plane.  The new numbers make no sense at all to me.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at <http://beta.reversebeacon.net>.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 3/25/2021 12:26 PM, Artek Manuals wrote:
Technically the insulation should electrically lengthen the antenna about 1.5-2 % (lower the frequency)

As Wes said the dimensions would be helpful. is the flat op horizontal or does it slope down if it slopes how low is the far end?

I dont think 17 turns of RG400 is doing much for you on 160M but with a ground mounted radials (IMO) not likely needed...what is the "R" at X=0.

�Are you measuring R+jX at the antenna or at the shack end of the coax? How long is the coax

Dave
NR1DX



On 3/25/2021 11:54 AM, Wes wrote:
How long is the vertical section?� The insulation should have minimal effect.

Wes� N7WS


On 3/25/2021 8:07 AM, N4ZR wrote:
I have been trying to replace my inverted L, which broke a few weeks ago, and am having all sorts of puzzlements. Please be kind - I was a history major.

1.� The inverted L broke at the turn, so I went looking for sturdier wire.� I wound up with some #14 insulated recommended by our local RF maven, and put up 140 feet initially, figuring I would prune it *up* into the CW part of the band.� Imagine my surprise when it showed up resonating at 1977 KHz (on an AA-55 Zoom).� Does insulation have such a profound effect on velocity factor?

2.� My feedpoint arrangement has 17 turns of RG-400 as a common mode choke, with the radial field connected to the RG-400 shield at the antenna end.� Initially I tried measuring the resonance without the radial connection.� No resonance and infinite SWR. I connected the radial field (8 X 70-foot radials on the ground) and that's when I saw the 1977 KHz resonance (X crossing zero). SWR at minimum was above 2:1.� Does this make sense?� I know the radial field is inadequate for good performance, but...


_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>