[TowerTalk] Musing on G5RVs, baluns et al......

[Paul Christensen]

> The humble G5RV antenna was invented not long after WWII by the
> multitalented Louis Varney (SK), intended as a cheap and cheerful compact
> all hf band antenna. In those days the hf bands were 10, 20, 40 and 80m. 
> The
> 15m band had not yet been opened to the amateur service...

It would be interesting to review the source article by Varney, entitled "An 
Effective Multiband Aerial of Simple Construction," RSGB Bulletin, July, 
1958, pp. 19-20.  By 1958, the 15m band should have been open as it had been 
created in 1947 at the International Radio Conference of Atlantic City.

http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/oth/02/01/S020100002B4506PDFE.pdf

In the U.S., the band opened in 1952.  I suspect not long afterwards, it 
also opened up for G ops.  So, before 1958, Varney likely considered 15m 
operation.  I've seen many articles on the web that discuss what was going 
through Varney's mind -- but the information is very much conflicting. 
Varney's article in the ARRL Antenna Compendium is a good original source, 
but that appeared long after print in the original RSGB publication.

I can't find the original text going back to 1958.  If anyone has a copy, 
please pass it along.

Paul, W9AC