Topband: Summary: Beverage feedline suggestions

[David J Rodman MD]

Thanks to all the people who responded to my inquiry about how to and 
what to feed my new beverage antenna with.  I haven't acted yet, but the 
materials are on order.

First, I decided to scrap the Mini RG-59 cable that I hastely put up at 
11PM in the woods the other night.  I believe that coax is better suited 
for either bazooka dipoles or beverage listening wire.

Secondly, I plan to use a RG-6 QUAD.  I got a price of 10 cents a foot.  
This seemed pretty reasonable.  I ordered F-SO-239 adapters because one 
can not solder the aluminum shielded RG-6 to typical PL-259 connectors.  
I already have the necessary crimp tool.  I use rubber tape for all coax 
connections outside, paint all screw terminals with liquid electrical 
tape and cover the terminations with small plastic bags after wrapping 
with wire ties.

Third, I plan to check the VSWR of the antenna today with my Autek 
instrument.  Respondents have convinced me if the system is grossly 
mismatched, there will be additional losses in the feedline which are 
significant and might be substantial.  Since the feedline directly to 
the receiver is all 75 ohm, I plan to set the desired Z or the 
transformer tap for as close to 75 as possible.  It would be nice if I 
could listen to the receiver while doing this however.  Unless anyone 
else has a better solution for determining the match, I will do this.  
Right now, the termination resistor is 450 ohm and the tap on the 
transformer match is selectable 200, 400, 600 or 800 ohm ( I pre-set it 
to 600).

Forth, I revisited the issue of how much loss I am getting with the 
present setup.  I would say the difference in station strength is 
substantial.  When compared to European stations and a mainly East 
pointing antenna which has a 600' shorter feedline, the new antenna is 
always 2 S units quieter to noise and signals.  When signals go over S9 
there is a clear indication of a 10dB difference.  Therefore, I do not 
believe the signal loss is insignificant 2-4dB.

Thanks, Dave.