[TowerTalk] Open wire line convert

[K7GCO@aol.com]

<  a message dated 9/16/00 6:26:40 AM Pacific Daylight Time, n4kg@juno.com 
writes:<    Hi Jay,
   
   I don't try to match the ladder line to 50 ohms.  I'm using my
   ladder line fed antennas on several bands so I accept the 
   mismatch at the antenna and use Johnson Matchboxes
   at the transmitter end. KISS principle (Keep it simple stupid).
   Works for me.  For 50 ohm antennas I just use CATV hard-line
   in multiples of 1/2 WL.  For verticals, I use coaxial transformers
   to transform 17 to 35 ohms up to 75 ohms +/- a bit.
   
   73,  Tom
   
  Every once in a while in the area of suggesting better ways to do things 
someone comes along who has found the same thing and supports the cause 
despite the brick bats of all the know it all's who even admit they have 
never used or tried it (the weakest of credibilty positions).  Would you 
believe I actually levitated out of my chair when I read Tom's Post here.  It 
was obvious to me that he was a sharp and deadly analyst of transmission 
theory able to see though all the conventional nonsense that is jammed down 
our throat by the "Kraus Wannabes."  It takes some years to get a grasp of 
financial and technical reality in Ham Radio and inparticular--low loss and 
inexpensive transmission lines.  I only suggest and anyone is free to use 
what they want but should at least allow the free flow of suggestions without 
constant reticule as it makes for a strong and informative Reflector.
  
  I am awarding Tom N4KG the "K7GCO Smart Transmission Line Amateur of the 
Month Award #1" for high technical intelligence and good operating low cost 
low loss practices.  He even used 1/2 WL multiples of CATV hard-line and then 
!/4 WL lines for matching.  Tell us more of what you have there Tom.  Others 
have likewise illustrated great technical insights in other areas and will be 
recognized.  Recognition for "Technical Excellence" has been sadly missing.   
K7GCO >>
 
 
 In a message dated 9/16/00 6:33:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
na1i@portone.com writes:<< 
  Hello All,
   I've used a small size pipe cutter for years in cutting coax, i.e. RG-8,
  RG-213, RG-214, etc. works great gives a clean cut too. Cost me about $1.00
  for it at a Flea Market.
   >>
      We all look for simple and cheap solutions to our problems.  The coax 
cutter suggestions starting at $34 had merit but others came down to $5.  I 
was about to buy one but then na1i scooped them all with one for $1 and I 
already had 2 of them.  I hadn't even used them to cut coax.  I couldn't 
believe it.
 
 For this great example of "Mechanical and Economic Genius" I will award na1i 
the "K7GCO Mechanical and Economic Problem Solver Award of the Month #1".  
Have you anymore of these ingenious solutions?  We need more of this and 
perhaps if someone actually gets credit for something worth while, more will 
tell of their great ideas.  Has anyone more of these great ideas?  Lets hear 
about them.  
 
 Another area I'd like to hear more of is in new or improved antenna design.  
Not enough of this is seen and I for one would like to see more of it without 
someone finding fault with it since it's FREE MATERIAL generated on one's 
FREE TIME and deserves some respect.  Lets all see if we can find out what is 
"right" with it for a change and this is the key to a lot more antenna 
progress.  k7gco
  >>

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