[TowerTalk] 160 meter odditiy

[Ron W8RJL]

As noted in the handbook, K factor is important for antennas above 30 MHz 
especially when using rod or tube for elements but any change in diameter 
will have an impact even at 160 meters. I have made cage dipoles for 80 
meters and the old tried and true 468/f in MHz does not work due to the K 
factor. Agreed going from from 0.080 to 0.128 is a small change but you 
can't say it is to small to make a difference. I still say prune the antenna 
and don't worry about it.

Ron W8RJL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <john at kk9a.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2015 9:08 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] 160 meter odditiy


> #12 wire is 0.080", #8 is 0.128.  This is not a big enough diameter change
> to make a difference.
>
> John KK9A
>
>
> Re: [TowerTalk] 160 meter odditiy
> from [Ron W8RJL] [Permanent Link][Original]
> To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics."
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] 160 meter odditiy
> From: "Ron W8RJL" <youngron at verizon.net>
>
> John,
>
> The larger the diameter of the conductor the lower the frequency for the
> same length. It used to be called the K factor but I think they have a new
> name for it. Check any good antenna handbook for formulas etc. You can
> correct by trial and error, just folding back a few inches on either end 
> and
> clamping with a split bolt. Using a 3" diameter tube vs a #12 wire on a 40
> meter 1/4 wave vertical can be the difference between 30 and 33 feet if I
> remember correctly.
> 73,
> Ron W8RJL
>
>
> -----
> -----Original Message----- From: john nistico
> Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 6:01 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] 160 meter odditiy
>
> I have been using an inverted l from my hdx 89 tower with much success. It
> is made of #12 stranded wire and I have decided to upgrade it to something
> more beefy. I removed the antenna which played at 1840 like gang busters 
> and
> cut an Identical wire #8 and put it up in its place. No other changes were
> made but when I went into the shack and checked it it was at 1723. Anyone
> have an idea why 2 identical wires would appear so different?
>
>
>
>
> John J. Nistico
> 911 Electric Inc.
> 516.325-8993
>
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