[TowerTalk] 80 meter quad loops

[Barry]

I use multiple, vertical slopers in a K8UR configuration.  I used to 
do the same thing with adding wires for CW, and got tired of it.  I 
added RF1J latching relays (surplus from Max Gain Systems).  The 
relays themsleves must add some inductance, as I only need about 5-6 
ft of wire to move the resonance from 3800 to 3525 (and only on the 
lower end).  To switch the relays I built a 24VDC controller that 
sends a short pulse (using an NE555 and pass transistor) to them.
Barry, W2UP

On 4 Nov 2005 at 8:28, Cqtestk4xs at aol.com wrote:

> For the last few years I have been using four sets of rope supported
> quads..a two element facing JA, a two element facing VK, a two element
> facing SA, and a four element facing EU.  All are tuned for the SSB
> part of the band.
> 
> To operate CW contests, I lower the ends of the ropes supporting them
> screw in the extra pieces of wire, and raise them again.  It's a
> pretty simple method but it doesn't solve the day to day excursions
> into the CW band.
> 
> The loops are actually flattop delta loops so the pointed end faces
> toward the ground.  The ends either have coax at the bottom or a rope
> at the bottom to keep it from blowing around. So what I would like to
> do is to put a relay and a coil at the bottom of each element to make
> the element resonant around 3725.  They are currently resonant around
> 3775.
> 
> Any idea of what kind of inductance would be required to make this
> happen?  I know I would need to choke the relay wires.  Would the old
> "coil it up" method work on the relay wires?  Any special caveats on
> using this system?
> 
> The system kicks butt on 80, but I would like the ability to switch
> back and forth between SSB and CW.  Just using a tuner doesn't work,
> since the reflector isn't a very good reflector when you go down
> 250kHz.  Any ideas?
> 
> Bill K4XS
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--
Barry Kutner, W2UP              Internet: w2up at mindspring.com
Newtown, PA                     Frankford Radio Club