Topband: Would like info on "Snake Antenna"

[Herb Schoenbohm]

I don't know if the snake antenna is used today at all but I would like
some basic construction information.  After Hurricane Lenny the local
cable company is giving away long runs up to 400 feet (figure eight .500
with a steel messenger) and I have acquired a pile to experiment with.
The first attempt was to run a 300 foot piece across the hay field (just
mowed) to the south of my QTH.  On the far end I hooked the steel
messenger to the center conductor and left the outer aluminum shield
floating. On the feed end I reduced the CATV cable to a F connection
(another nice give away) and ran a short piece of coax to my RX switch
box. The messenger cable was not connected and tapped off.  Using
existing BC stations and I found that the CATV antenna was directional
by several S points to the North.  This is a very very quiet antenna but
the signals are there here several euro's in the 559 region (They were
389 on the marconi inverted L).  Without modeling or attempting a proper
match I will try several weeks of testing.  If anyone can shed any light
on whether my attempts are folly or if they have had similar
experiences, please let me know.  I checked the antenna on 75 where I
was very much impressed listening to Q5 copy on signals that were very
noisy  on the vertical. I make now claims but only inquire if there may
be something here.

Regards,

Herb, KV4FZ



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