[TowerTalk] Johnson Matchbox Question

[Rob Atkinson]

The "link" (that's the larger outer coil) originally had two taps.
One just one or two turns from the grounded end.  That was the 50 ohm
unbalanced input.  A second tap was a  few turns over from that.  It
was for 300 ohm receiving line.  A lot of receivers had terminal
strips on their back panels for the option of 300 ohm twin lead
balance line for receiving, in the 1950s and '60s.   A Matchbox that
doesn't have the link has been extremely modified into something else.
It can no longer be a link coupled balanced line network.  Which
brings me to a question:  Are you using your Matchbox for coax, or
ladder line to your antenna?

I have one in regular use here with ladder line and a dipole.  It will
be easier to determine what's going on with it if you get it out of
its cover and run it in the open so you can see what's going on WRT
capacitor meshing.  Just unscrew the zillion screws and put the knobs
back on and connect the feedlines back up and you'll be able to see if
you are running out of capacitance, or don't have enough etc.

73
Rob
K5UJ