Topband: alternative to vacuum variables

[Eddy Swynar]

On 2013-01-24, at 2:33 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:

> One of the reasons I have mot gone to high power on 160 is the cost of capacitors for my omega match - at least $300.  Anyone know of any workable alternative?  I remember someone writing about using coiled-up RG-8, RG-213 or maybe Teflon coax.  Where can I find more information?
> 


Hi Pete,

I've used a short length of RG-58 coax for just that purpose in one application here, to supplement the "C" from my air variable at the base of one of my extended inverted "L's"...

There's nothing at all wrong with that, I don't think, as long as the coax is simply "padding" existing C---I don't think you'd want to use the coax for a LOT of capacitance, though: if I recall correctly, one foot of RG-58 has some 25-pfd. of capacitance---to get, say, 200-pfd., would you really want an 8-foot coil of coax in your system...?

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ