Topband: TopBand DownUnder

[Mark - N5OT]

When I was a kid, we had a guy WB6ZKK who touted dipoles made of 
slinkys.  I am thinking some of the same electronic theory and design 
must have come into play.

Tree will remember.  Long live the old NTS.

73 - Mark N5OT


On 9/14/2021 5:21 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
> I've not heard the term "accordian" applied, but the Tornado Tuner 
> expands and compresses a coil inside some pvc pipe to change L about 
> 2:1.  I have one (split) to tune the full 80m band at the center of an 
> 86ft rotatable dipole.  Your choice of Al or Cu coil tubing with a 
> small Portescap gearhead motor driving a delrin (I think) leadscrew 
> screw and reed switch for turns counting.
>
> JKantennas makes an yagi with a Tornado.  Rumor has it a 3L 80m was 
> built with them for full band coverage.
>
> Originally, mostly used for tuning/loading verticals.  No sliding 
> contacts makes it quiet and reliable.  I used an MFJ screwdriver 
> control with 10 pushbutton 50KHz spaced presets for 80m but now have a 
> RT21dc automatically tracking frequency to preset coil positions.  
> GHeverywhere does the mapping.
>
> Grant KZ1W
>
> On 9/14/2021 12:54, Mark - N5OT wrote:
>> Wait.  There's such a thing as an "accodion inductor"?  I thought I 
>> knew everything.
>>
>> I'll be glad when mowing season is over, too.
>>
>> 73 - Mark N5OT
>>
>>
>> On 9/14/2021 2:44 PM, W3HKK at roadrunner.com wrote:
>>> Been reading the encouraging posts. So, I got up and heard good
>>> activity, working:
>>> VK3HJ - ZL1AZ - VK2WR at Ohio SR and up to 20 minutes after, when the
>>> band faded out.
>>>
>>> Gud to hear Luke, Dennis and Adrian coming through so well, through
>>> moderate QRN. Unusually warm temps here for mid Sep. ( 85-88F) I took
>>> an hour last week to tweak the 52' tall 1/4 wave INV-L. All 26 radials
>>> are still coiled up and hanging from the walnut tree, until lawn
>>> mowing season ends in mid Oct. Then I will uncurl them and retune
>>> accordion inductor.
>>>
>>> Heard AA1K this morning as well.
>>>
>>>
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