[TenTec] OCF antennas evolution

[Richards]

On 7/13/2013 12:25 AM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:

> I said your feedline is contributing to the matching of your antenna on the
> 10m band and that you have excessive losses in your balun on that band.


		I don't believe it... or I don't care.
		You pick.

		;-)

> You need to study up on TLT (transmission line transformers).


		No, I need to spend more time on the
		air !!   The ARRL Handbook, The ARRL
		Antenna Book, my RadCom HF Antennas
		book, my book by Bill Orr, and so many 	
		articles in QST it ain't funny, say it
		works.

		Heck, until this week, even you said
		it would work !



> On ten meters, the feedline is reversing from current node to voltage node
> every 6 ft.


		OK.  Sorry.  Cannot help it.  You did
		not mention this last year when I built it.

		(OF course you never even asked if I ACTUALLY
		USE IT ON 10 METERS... WHICH I DO NOT...
		because I pretty much wanted it for 40m and
		20m, and as an occasional backup antenna on
		15m  (considering my 40m ground plane and
		separate 15m aluminum rotatable dipole work
		15 meters, without any issues, also...) it
		is the third antenna choice here, anyway,
		so what if it sucks?

		So, let's just say it is irrelevant if it
		blows up on 10m.

		

You are measuring your impedance with a short coax stub but
> even a couple of ft. of coax can distort your readings significantly.  If
> you want to know what it really is, you should do as I asked you to do
> earlier, attach an electrical half wavelength of coax to it and measure
> again.


		OK... sorry.   My bad.     ;-(

		I measured the antenna very close to
		the feed point with a very short jumper,
		then again at the point where it meets the
		remote coax switch, and again where it
		meets the rig in the shack.  Same results
		every time.  So, I figure... close enough
		for Government work, and should just get on
		the air.  Too much talk about antennas, and
		not enough action.     ;-)

		I am going to live recklessly, and take
		a humungous risk using it... and call it
		good enough.   I love to live dangerously.
				;-)


> You should either show us a model of your antenna showing that it works, or
> measure it properly, then I'll agree that the antenna is working
> efficiently.


		Phooey.  I don't need anyone's agreement.

		Heck, you said I should eschew modeling,
		and just build it and see how it works.

		It works.

		NOW, you tell me it sucks!

		Franky, I don't care if it is efficient on
		10 meters, or any other band, for that
		matter, because it is what it is.  Loads of
		guys have a good time using OCF dipoles, and
		so will I.

		Frankly, after this big row over OCF designs,
		I am starting to think one can over-analyze
		these things and maybe this time, I am
		better off just building and using it.  After
		all, a great many hams use this type of
		antenna with success and as it says on your
		web site, a good antenna is what meets one's
		expectations regardless of what the scientists
		say.  (that is a great quote on your site...)

		A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
		No knowledge is peace of mind.
		What I don't know won't hurt me.

		So... while I truly appreciate you trying
		to save me from myself, I elect to follow
		Stuart's advice, and just roll with it as
		it does not cause any known problems.  You
		know, no harm, no foul.    ;-)

		Thus, I will just use my dopey old antenna
		in blissful ignorance.

		
	Later, of course, I will read the stuff JB and the
	other guys have recommended - but after I return
	from taking my young bride camping a few days...  ;-)

	Thanks... this is a great outfit and I appreciate
	all I learn here.   Hope y'all take this in good
	humor.

	QRT.   Gone Fishing.

	
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