[TenTec] using amp to load rain gutter

[Gary Tuck]

Live in a CCNR paradise too with no external antennas allowed.  When we 
had this house built 15 years ago, I installed a 40m loop in the attic. 
  It is 40'x20' fed with ladder line down thru the wall and to a 4:1 
balun.  No problem loading on a any band but if set off the alarm horn 
on 15m--not good.  Then I tried outdoor loops fed the same way.  Now I 
have a 80m loop somewhat in a delta configuration fed at the bottom 
corner.  The apex is up 55' in a fir tree.  I used #16 copperweld line 
which after it loses its shine, is nearly invisible.  Not a great 
antenna but did get FT5XO this morning on 40m CW.

73, Gary W7TEA



On Mar 24, 2005, at 11:43 AM, Stuart Rohre wrote:

> 500 watts to a non antenna, (the gutters) is not going to fix the basic
> problem.
> It could cause arcing and even a fire hazard at some of the gutter 
> joints,
> that might heat up.
>
> You need a designed antenna radiator that is more easily tuned to 
> resonance
> and has predictable take off angles and antenna pattern.
>
> Gutters have usually galvanized metal, or painted.  Joint conduction 
> is hit
> or miss unless you add screws to each joint, which might introduce 
> leaks.
>
> Work on getting up a stealth doublet, in the trees, or for DX, a 
> vertical
> dipole in the trees for the high bands.   Inside the attic you might 
> get a
> "droopy loop" from the peak of the gable down to attic floor level, and
> around the largest enclosed square or rectangular area you can manage.
>
> On the web are write ups on modeling various Attic Loop antennas 
> including
> the droopy loop.  Check those out for ideas.
>
> Unless a downspout approaches an electrical quarter wave length at 
> least it
> will have a poor pattern as a vertical antenna for DX.  In any case, it
> would have to be operated against earth ground, using 16 radials at 
> least,
> but it would favor the direction away from the house, (along the 
> radials).
>
> Use that height of the peak of the house, or any trees you have and 
> you will
> be amazed at the improved working of a true antenna.
> 73,
> Stuart
> K5KVH