[TenTec] OT: Question to the group -tuner and dipoles

[Stuart Rohre]

There is at least one internet project with photos of a double PI net 
balanced tuner, which should work quite well.  It uses copper tubing for 
two large inductors and transmitting sized variable capacitors.

The 135 foot wire or a close to that length dipole will work close to 
the ground for NVIS.  Feed it with 450 ohm or 600 ohm open wire line for 
all band use.

Working at 1/8 wave above soil, brings as signal to noise gain, in that 
"skip static" from Summer thunderstorms is greatly attenuated or not 
picked up at all.

NVIS brought back 80m to usefulness for Field Days due to the reduced 
noise floor when the antenna was 5 to 6 feet off ground with a reflector 
at grass top level. (after mowing).

-Stuart Rohre
K5KVH