[TenTec] balanced feedline light bulb test

[AC5E at aol.com]

With INSULATED wire a simple pickup loop - a metal coathanger always worked 
well with the panel lamp connected in place of the handle - per the 1938 ARRL 
Antenna Book.    It still needs to be insulated, though. 

I never tried to connect directly to open wire line but a two feet of 
insulated wire with the bulb in the middle  - like this __________| |___________, 
with the two uprights representing the bulb holder, has plenty of capacity to 
couple to a feedline, even on 160.  It worked quite well for tuning up an ARC5 
with a pair of 1625's  back in the 1940's,  it should work just as well today. 
For an Argo, I 'spect I would go to some of the 100 ma subminiature bulbs, 
though. 

But to check for balanced currents, you need to "read" both sides of the 
transmission line at the same time. 

73  Pete Allen  AC5E