Topband: Feeding multiple beverages

[Richard Karlquist]

I have been able to get away with
using a common ground system and
match transformers for multiple
beverages emanating from one point.
(I switch on the high-Z side).
Also, it seems to be OK to have
a 30 degree angle between one beverage
and the next.  Perhaps this isn't
absolutely optimum, but I haven't
noticed any difference between this
compromise and single isolated beverages.
I do isolate the coax shield from
the ground rod by floating the low-Z
side of the transformer.  I think this
is one thing you must do right.

To reverse direction, I run coax to both
ends.  There are relays that terminate the
beverage when not energized and connect it
to the feed when energized.  So I energize
one end or the other.  Three of my 
beverages form an equilateral triangle.
Each feed point can feed one of two sides.
There is also an additional beverage at
each feedpoint 30 degrees away from the other
two (forming 3 "altitudes" of the triangle).
These have a dedicated terminations at the 
far end.  I get 12 directions with six 
termination points and about 1/3 mile of coax.
(The beverages are 520 feet long).


Rick Karlquist    N6RK
richard@karlquist.com
www.n6rk.com
www.karlquist.com 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: topband-admin@contesting.com
> [mailto:topband-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Marty Ray
> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 2:25 PM
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: Feeding multiple beverages
> 
> 
> Okay, I had one guy email me with a comment that if I have 
> one beverage,
> then I will probably want more. Now I need to ask about 
> feeding multiple
> beverages. Can I locate the feedpoints at one location and 
> switch the
> beverage wires with relays to one transformer, or do I need 
> to feed them all
> individually and then switch between the feedlines?
> 
> Also, any comments on reverse direction would be 
> appreciated. I have noticed
> a lot of guys using two wire beverages. Do you guys run a 
> coax out to the
> far end of the antenna and feed the second wire there, or 
> do you use some
> kind of special transformer setup and keep the feedline at 
> one end? (I've
> seen this in one of my books, think)
> 
> Thanks for all the help, guys!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Marty Ray, N9SE
> 
> 
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