[TowerTalk] Cage Dipole and Broadband Dipole thoughts.

[Michael Baker]

Well, I thought I might toss in a bit of thought on the subject.

Insulators could be cut from rings of large diameter PVC pipe or DWV pipe,
like 4" very easy with a cheap hacksaw and then drilled for the wires. I
think it wouldn't make it very much broader in coverage for that diameter on
75/80 meters, however it would make a good separator for a multiband
multiwire dipole. 
The hula hoop idea is a good one just make sure they aren't covered with
some metallic foil tape for decoration. About $4 at your local Walmart. 
For a conductive shorting ring, just use an old piece of heavy banding, a
snap ring off a cardboard shipping drum soldered together, a bicycle rim or
what ever is handy. Heck, it you ain't too picky about shape and you have a
bunch of surplus 45 degree elbows and some plastic pipe you can make it a
nice 8 sided shape and any diameter you want. Not too ugly if you only need
say 6 to 8 of them over the length of the antenna for 75/80 meters. Not real
stealthy but if stealthy isn't a big deal then have at it.


I guess the best comment I could make is "all this isn't anything new;" at
least not to me. But then again, antennas have always been something I
collected any book, article or info I could get ever since I got started in
this hobby in '68. It sort of reminds me of mens ties.  The fashion changes
with time but the end result is still the same.  ;>)

Happy Signal Squirting....
Michael Baker  K7DD
k7ddmjb at qwest.net