Date: Sat, 10 Sep 94 04:30:16 PDT From: Ham-Ant Mailing List and Newsgroup Errors-To: Ham-Ant-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Ham-Ant@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Ham-Ant Digest V94 #303 To: Ham-Ant Ham-Ant Digest Sat, 10 Sep 94 Volume 94 : Issue 303 Today's Topics: 300ohm twinlead, outdoors? (4 msgs) cell phone directional antenna? (2 msgs) Coaxial into the House (2 msgs) Info on Autek SWR/Z/L/C Meter (2 msgs) Please Help: Putting a Mobile Antenna on my House SETIQuest Magazine - Exobiology Two Beverages - Revisited UK source for ELNEC ? Send Replies or notes for publication to: Send subscription requests to: Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Ham-Ant Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-ant". We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Sep 94 19:07:53 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!ucsnews!newshub.sdsu.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!uhura.cc.rochester.edu!rdewan@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 300ohm twinlead, outdoors? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu In article <1056FYRXEOYSTTBFVF@slacc.com> nf0r@slacc.com writes: > >Hi Rich! What you might consider is fabricating your own twin-lead from >two identical lengths of coax, RG-58 is fine. Ground the shields at the >tuner end but let them float at the feedpoint to avoid a groundloop. >This will give you the necessary environmental protection for several >years. I live in a townhouse and use this method to feed my attic >antenna from a basement shack. BTW, the feedline does not have to be >taped together, each side can find it's own path to the antenna as long >as the individual lengths are identical. Also, you can use any >impedance, 50, 75 or ?ohms makes no difference. Good luck! NF0R, Dave Interesting suggestion. I am curious about a couple of points: * If you do not run them together, and if the only currents are in the center conductors of the two coax, then the range over which the feedline will couple with other conductive objects will be large. This would imply a larger chance of RFI. * If there are currents on the shield of the wires, as would be my guess, then you will again have rfi, unpredictable load impedance and a distorted radiation pattern. My guess would be that make this work, you would have to take the same degree of care with its layout and symmetry as you would with simple old 12 swg wire. Why spend the money on expensive coax to simulate a plain ole simple open line? Rajiv aa9ch/2 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 Sep 1994 17:31:50 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!wvus!pelican!ent-img.com!wb6hqk!bart@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 300ohm twinlead, outdoors? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu In article , wrote: >Hi All: > > A quick question: I'm thinking of putting up a dipole, fed with >300ohm TV twin-lead, and routed through a transmatch to my QRP rig. >Since I live in an apartment, I'll have to bury the twin-lead to avoid >having the maintenance people run over it with the lawnmower, etc. :-) I hope this really is a joke! The property which makes twinlead very low attenuation is that the majority of the fields are in the essentially lossles air outside the lossy plastic dielectric. The price you pay is the requirement that the line be run at least a couple of inches away from anything, especially conductors. Don't bury it!!! Coax may have more loss but since the fields are completly contained within the outer conductor of the cable it may be buried and run next to metal objects. Even the best normally available is quite a bit lossier at HF than good quality twinlead but if you can keep the SWR reasonably low you should get good results. Can you arrange a trap dipole? bart bart@wb6hqk.ampr.org ------------------------------ Date: 9 Sep 1994 07:41:04 -0400 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!swiss.ans.net!newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 300ohm twinlead, outdoors? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu In article <1056FYRXEOYSTTBFVF@slacc.com>, nf0r@slacc.com writes: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Hi Rich! What you might consider is fabricating your own twin-lead from two identical lengths of coax, RG-58 is fine. Ground the shields at the tuner end but let them float at the feedpoint to avoid a groundloop. This will give you the necessary environmental protection for several years. I live in a townhouse and use this method to feed my attic antenna from a basement shack. BTW, the feedline does not have to be taped together, each side can find it's own path to the antenna as long as the individual lengths are identical. Also, you can use any impedance, 50, 75 or ?ohms makes no difference. Good luck! NF0R, Dave -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- Hi dave, any idea of the charachteristic impedance obtained? I've read about this before, and it seems pretty interesting. I've got some old aircore 90 ohm (?) coax I might try this with--it's cheap (free) and i've got enough of it. 72, jim n0oct ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Sep 1994 14:59:06 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!sgiblab!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu!master.ceat.okstate.edu!gcouger@network. Subject: 300ohm twinlead, outdoors? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu In article <34phkg$n4p@search01.news.aol.com>, JimN0OCT wrote: >In article <1056FYRXEOYSTTBFVF@slacc.com>, nf0r@slacc.com writes: > > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------- >--------------------------- >Hi Rich! What you might consider is fabricating your own twin-lead from >two identical lengths of coax, RG-58 is fine. Ground the shields at the >taped together, each side can find it's own path to the antenna as long >as the individual lengths are identical. Also, you can use any >impedance, 50, 75 or ?ohms makes no difference. Good luck! NF0R, Dave > >Hi dave, any idea of the charachteristic impedance obtained? I've read >about this before, and it seems pretty interesting. I've got some old >aircore 90 ohm (?) coax I might try this with--it's cheap (free) and i've >got enough of it. The impedance is twice the impedance of the coax and the loss is unchanged. So only used the doubled feed line where you must and get back to twin lead as soon as you can. Probably the only advantage in using coax twin lead is the increase in puncture voltage. I used to have a zep made up out of coax twin lead and it worked pretty good. Good luck Gordon AB5DG Gordon Couger senior software specialist Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. 114 AG Hall Stillwater, OK 74075 gcouger@olesun.agen.okstate.edu 405 744 9763 day 625-2855 evenings ------------------------------ Date: 9 Sep 1994 17:18:15 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!torn!news.unb.ca!nbt.nbnet.nb.ca!nbcc1.nbnet.nb.ca!user@network.ucsd.edu Subject: cell phone directional antenna? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu I am in a very fringe area for cell phone use. Although I can hit 2M repeaters further away (with 5W) my 3W bag phone used at home is just shy of holding the tower. Does anyone have plans for a homebuilt directional cell antenna? Thanks, Steve Patriquen VE9 PIX ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Sep 94 15:10:48 -0500 From: news.delphi.com!usenet@uunet.uu.net Subject: cell phone directional antenna? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu Steve Patriquen writes: >I am in a very fringe area for cell phone use. > >Although I can hit 2M repeaters further away (with 5W) my 3W bag phone used >at home is just shy of holding the tower. > >Does anyone have plans for a homebuilt directional cell antenna? Perhaps a dumb question. Why not use a land line telephone at home? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Sep 1994 18:07:43 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!csusac!zimmer!zimmer.csufresno.edu!rafaels@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Coaxial into the House To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu Well, I finally bought a 2 mt. external antenna which I already installed. I live in a fairly new house whose (outside) walls are covered with stucco (sp?). All windows have aluminum frames. Before I start drilling the stucco and/or the windows' frames I thought in asking to you'all about feeding coaxial through the walls and/or windows. Please send me a line or two. 73 de Rafael, KE6JSR PS: Also I would like to split the cable into two endings (one for the radio shack and one for my bedroom). Where should I put the splitter? Inside the house, or, close to the antenna? Does it matter? ******************************************************************* Rafael Solis, Professor Craig School of Business rafaels@zimmer.csufresno.edu California State University, Fresno (209)278-2194 (209)278-4911 (Fax) ******************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Sep 1994 19:21:55 GMT From: wang!dbushong@uunet.uu.net Subject: Coaxial into the House To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu rafaels@zimmer.csufresno.edu (Rafael Solis) writes: >PS: Also I would like to split the cable into two endings (one for the radio >shack and one for my bedroom). Where should I put the splitter? Inside the >house, or, close to the antenna? Does it matter? Are you talking about using this antenna for transmitting, or just for use with a scanner? You cannot use a "splitter" like the kind TVs use if you are going to transmit. You can use something like an "A/B" switch, though. Dave, KZ1O -- Dave Bushong OPEN/image Recognition Products ------------------------------ Date: 8 Sep 1994 17:28:35 GMT From: nntp.crl.com!jeffj@decwrl.dec.com Subject: Info on Autek SWR/Z/L/C Meter To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu Lou Genco (lgenco@crl.com) wrote: : In article <33997@uswnvg.uswnvg.com>, : jdonimi@uswnvg.com (Jeremy A. Donimirski) wrote: : > Does anyone own one of these Autek meters? If so, do you like it? How well : > do the various functions work? Is it convenient to use? Can you use this unit also as a frequency meter? -- jeffj@crl.com | AB6MB | PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS!!!!! | ------------------------------ Date: 8 Sep 1994 22:57:05 -0400 From: newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail@uunet.uu.net Subject: Info on Autek SWR/Z/L/C Meter To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu In article <34nhk3$ora@nntp.crl.com>, jeffj@crl.com (Jeff Jones) writes: >Can you use this unit also as a frequency meter? No. YOu can use it as somewhat of an RF signal generator, although it is too unstable for that use. 72, jim n0oct ------------------------------ Date: 9 Sep 1994 16:05:51 GMT From: pa.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!iamu.chi.dec.com!little@decwrl.dec.com Subject: Please Help: Putting a Mobile Antenna on my House To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu In article , pouelle@uoft02.utoledo.edu writes: |>In article <34m42l$opg@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>, little@iamu.chi.dec.com (Todd Little) writes: |>>I'm not sure which Diamond that antenna is. If it is a 5/8 wave antenna on |> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |>>2 meters and something similar on 70cm, then you don't need a ground plane. |> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |>Sorry to burst your bubble, but a 5/8 wave antenna really should have a |>ground plane for reasonable pattern and performance. A 1/2 wave (or integer |>multiple thereof) doesn't. Ooops, nothing like posting late in the evening without the brain fully engaged. You're absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing that out. 73, Todd N9MWB ------------------------------ Date: 8 SEP 94 18:00:03 EST From: pa.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!mtwain.enet.dec.com!klaes@decwrl.dec.com Subject: SETIQuest Magazine - Exobiology To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu SETIQuest is a new quarterly print/electronic mail (E-mail) periodical containing news, technical information, and tutorials devoted to bioastronomy and its subset, SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). SETIQuest is published for professionals, serious amateur astronomers, and individuals curious about this fascinating field of observation. SETIQuest fills the need for a specialized astronomical publication devoted exclusively to the on-going search for evidence of life in the Universe. Such evidence could be intentional or inadvertent signals of other civilizations. Such evidence could be found in spectral signatures of biological activity on extrasolar planets or in the interstellar medium. SETIQuest is written and edited for the scientifically literate individual taking part in the progress of our technological civilization, with articles by amateur and professional scientists. SETIQuest includes information about hands-on observational programs that can be carried out by individuals and groups of amateur astronomers at radio and optical wavelengths. SETIQuest is filled with articles covering topics such as: * Tutorials about bioastronomy and SETI * Microwave or optical SETI as practiced by amateurs * "Do-it-yourself" participation in bioastronomy and SETI activities * Book reviews * Regular commentary on issues relevant to SETI and bioastronomy: SETI and the political milieu Philosophical issues regarding the prospects of success and failure in the search SETI as a parable of science versus pseudo science Publications Watch: Summaries of recent scientific/general publications relevant to SETI For your FREE issue of SETIQuest (Volume 1, Number 1), send us your postal address by fax, E-mail, or conventional mail to: SETIQuest Inquiries, Department EX Helmers Publishing 174 Concord Street Peterborough, NH 03458-0874 Telephone: (603) 924-9631 FAX (603) 924-7408 Internet E-mail: SQINQNET@pixelacres.mv.com --------------------------------=|=--------------------------------------- Carl Helmers, President & Editorial Director, Helmers Publishing, Inc. --< Publishers of Sensors, ID Systems and SETIQuest magazines >-- (what else do you do after starting BYTE?) INTERNET: carl@pixelacres.mv.com SNAILMAIL: 174 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 PHONE: 603-924-9631 -=- FAX: 603-924-7408 ------------------------------ Date: 8 Sep 1994 19:44:06 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!fc.hp.com!jayk@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Two Beverages - Revisited To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu Waltk@pica.army.mil wrote: : .....request for help w/a newly erected 2 wire Beverage. : Has anyone used a termination at the far end that consists of a : transformer as per Misek's book on the subject? If so, could : you share your experiences with me. Do you find the antenna : as good as a terminated single-wire antenna. My experience has : been (subjective) that the 2 wire doesn't perform as well in : either direction as a single wire resistor terminated affair. : 73 de Walt Kornienko - K2WK I tried one a few years ago. I have a copy of Misek's book and made the transformer as described. The beverage seemed to hear well but the front- to-back wasn't very good. When you talk to ops who have tried a two wire beverage it seems about half think they are great and half didn't have much luck. 73, Jay K0GU jayk@fc.hp.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Sep 1994 10:01:41 From: agate!doc.ic.ac.uk!cs.city.ac.uk!city!pcmail.nerc-bas.ac.uk!mcro@ames.arpa Subject: UK source for ELNEC ? To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu Does anybody know of a UK distributor for the ELNEC program ? Cheers Mike Mike Rose British Antarctic Survey MCRO@PCMAIL.NERC-BAS.AC.UK (Yes it is cold and no there are no polar bears) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Sep 1994 13:53:17 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!concert!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!cscsun!dtiller@network.ucsd.edu To: ham-ant@ucsd.edu References , <325@coutts.UUCP>, sun Subject : Re: Lightning Karl Beckman (CSLE87@email.mot.com) wrote: : In article <325@coutts.UUCP>, wwg@coutts.UUCP (Warren Gay) wrote: : > : > When I last moved, I put 110VAC relays in a power distribution box for : > this purpose. The relay switches via heavy duty contacts, 3 lines - : > 2 - 110VAC + 1 Neutral. This of course switches the 220VAC for my : > linear (that I don't have yet) in the process. The relay was one of : > two lucky finds at a ham-fest. : > : It's a good thing that you are located in Canada, but not safe. Here in : the USA you are not permitted to ever interrupt the neutral lead, since it : is the grounded side (center, actually) of the feed. Tell that to my water pump - the control box that came with it opens both power-carrying conductors (not the ground, naturally). There are exceptions to every absolute rule, apparently. I can't remember specifically, but there are reasons to open the neutral. (I'll check the NEC). -- David Tiller | Network Administrator | Voice: (804) 752-3710 | dtiller@rmc.edu | n2kau/4 | Randolph-Macon College| Fax: (804) 752-7231 | Brady Law critique removed | P.O. Box 5005 | ICBM: 37d 42' 43.75" N | due to liberal PC pressure. | Ashland, Va 23005 | 77d 31' 32.19" W | ------------------------------ End of Ham-Ant Digest V94 #303 ******************************