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Re: Topband: TopBand DownUnder

To: TopBand List <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: TopBand DownUnder
From: Mark - N5OT <r-emails@n5ot.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2021 17:37:11 -0500
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
When I was a kid, we had a guy WB6ZKK who touted dipoles made of slinkys.  I am thinking some of the same electronic theory and design must have come into play.

Tree will remember.  Long live the old NTS.

73 - Mark N5OT


On 9/14/2021 5:21 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
I've not heard the term "accordian" applied, but the Tornado Tuner expands and compresses a coil inside some pvc pipe to change L about 2:1.  I have one (split) to tune the full 80m band at the center of an 86ft rotatable dipole.  Your choice of Al or Cu coil tubing with a small Portescap gearhead motor driving a delrin (I think) leadscrew screw and reed switch for turns counting.

JKantennas makes an yagi with a Tornado.  Rumor has it a 3L 80m was built with them for full band coverage.

Originally, mostly used for tuning/loading verticals.  No sliding contacts makes it quiet and reliable.  I used an MFJ screwdriver control with 10 pushbutton 50KHz spaced presets for 80m but now have a RT21dc automatically tracking frequency to preset coil positions.  GHeverywhere does the mapping.

Grant KZ1W

On 9/14/2021 12:54, Mark - N5OT wrote:
Wait.  There's such a thing as an "accodion inductor"?  I thought I knew everything.

I'll be glad when mowing season is over, too.

73 - Mark N5OT


On 9/14/2021 2:44 PM, W3HKK@roadrunner.com wrote:
Been reading the encouraging posts. So, I got up and heard good
activity, working:
VK3HJ - ZL1AZ - VK2WR at Ohio SR and up to 20 minutes after, when the
band faded out.

Gud to hear Luke, Dennis and Adrian coming through so well, through
moderate QRN. Unusually warm temps here for mid Sep. ( 85-88F) I took
an hour last week to tweak the 52' tall 1/4 wave INV-L. All 26 radials
are still coiled up and hanging from the walnut tree, until lawn
mowing season ends in mid Oct. Then I will uncurl them and retune
accordion inductor.

Heard AA1K this morning as well.


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