HAM Radio 3/hamradioversion3.0examsandprograms1992.iso/news/ih91220a/ih91224.txt

Internet Message Format | 1991-03-23 | 31KB

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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V91 #224
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Info-Hams Digest            Fri, 22 Mar 91       Volume 91 : Issue 224

Today's Topics:
        Anybody out there ever fixed a microwave oven (2 msgs)
                      Balloon Antennas (2 msgs)
                  Fun with Balloons and long wires!
            Hints & Kinks for taking the General code test
                  MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT - 20 MARCH
              Monthly On-Line Elmers Resource Directory
                     Power Supply Design Question
                     Propagation Bull. #8, 3/9/91
         RFD (Request For Discussion) - Veterans Issues group
       SOLAR TERRESTRIAL BULLETIN - WARNING UPDATES - 17 MARCH
                      upgrade from no-code tech

Send Replies or notes for publication to: <[e-mail]>
Send subscription requests to: <[e-mail]>
Problems you can't solve otherwise to [e-mail].

Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams".

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: 19 Mar 91 16:59:42 GMT
From: tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!news.nd.edu!mentor.cc.purdue.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!eg.ecn.purdue.edu!young@ucbvax
Subject: Anybody out there ever fixed a microwave oven
To: [e-mail]

    Yeah, I fixed a microwave once. It was a Sears, and the power
transformer had gone short.  Sears gave me a *very* hard time when I tried
to buy a replacement! I had to sign a release that I wouldn't hold them
responsible if I got hurt while repairing the thing. Very strange. Anyway,
I swapped in the transformer and fired it up, everything was peachy. My
conclusion is that if you know how to work on 2KW linears and have the
proper respect for HV and RF, working on microwave ovens shouldn't be
a challenge.

    Having said that, beware that if the containment (door seal, cooking
chamber, etc.) is in any way involved with the repair, find/borrow/buy a
survey meter and use it after you're finished, to make sure things don't leak.
If this happens to be an oven that others might use besides you, I'd call
this mandatory. Could be a sticky liability point later on.

73s, and good luck


    |  Mike Young KA9HZE                |       [e-mail]    |
    |  Purdue University EE Dept.       |       ...!pur-ee!young        |
    |  W. Lafayette, IN  47907          |                               |
    _____________________________________________________________________
--
    |  Mike Young KA9HZE                |       [e-mail]    |
    |  Purdue University EE Dept.       |       ...!pur-ee!young        |
    |  W. Lafayette, IN  47907          |                               |
    _____________________________________________________________________

------------------------------

Date: 18 Mar 91 16:51:40 GMT
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn![e-mail]
Subject: Anybody out there ever fixed a microwave oven
To: [e-mail]

There is no newsgroup that specifically suits itself to this flavor of
question, so if you feel this question is out if place, please hit the
'n' key so that only one of us wastes bandwidth in an inappropriate place.

Now then, if you are still reading I have a question about microwave ovens.

Through pilot error I managed to run a microwave oven at full power for
70 minutes with nothing in it. It having nothing else to cook, cooked
itself.

I have serviced a lot of electronic equipment, amplifiers, tuners, tv's,
etc. but never a microwave.

There is apparently a magnetron and a power supply, the magnetron has two
wires attached to it, it is a sealed unit. I have to assume that the
oscillator is inside the sealed unit.

Does anybody know if the magnetron is the most likely point of failure,
or is the supply? Can I use a volt meter to measure the voltage from the
power supply? Should I disconnect the supply from the magnetron before
measuring the supply? If I disconnect the supply, should I provide a dummy
load? Any other suggestions?

The microwave is a sharp convection/microwave it is about two to three
years old, I could provide an exact model if needed (I don't know it off
hand).

Does sams provide photofact folders on microwaves? Does the manufacturer
put service manuals in the hands of mere mortals.

I have a hard time believing that some sensible precautions, wouldn't
reduce this to a fairly safe activity, but maybe you know otherwise.

Any info on this is greatly appreciated, reply by mail and I'll post a summary
if there is sufficient interest, and somebody can suggest the most appropriate
newsgroup for this line of discussion.

Chuck Luciano
303-421-9113
[e-mail]

Disclainer: Don't try this at home kids, we're professionals here.
--
Wow a .sig, I never had a .sig before.

------------------------------

Date: 15 Mar 91 15:30:38 GMT
From: hpfcso![e-mail]
Subject: Balloon Antennas
To: [e-mail]

I hope someone can come up with a successful balloon story because this
is another horror story:

A couple of ham buddies and I spent a month in 1986? on St. Kitts (V4 ex VP2K)
with the main purpose of operating the ARRL DX Contest.  We rented two small
cottages on the beach, about one and a half miles straight off the end of
the runway at the airport.  Boy were those DC-8s noisy when they went over
at several hundred feet.  We took along a 6 foot diameter balloon to put
up our killer 160 meter quarter wave vertical.  We spent the better part of
a day trying to find a bottle of helium, then paid an arm and a leg for it.
We floated up the wire vertical the next day, in a ~15 mph wind, which
always blows in off the ocean.  Used two small nylon ropes on the windward
side to keep the balloon centered over the base point of the antenna.
About an hour after is was up (while we sat and admired our work) two
offical looking cars pull up and several uniformed guys get out.  They
walk around some, keep pointing at the balloon, walk around, etc.  They
never come up and talk to us, finally after about 15 minutes the leave.
Sigh of relief, we were kind of close to the airport.  So night falls and
its time to test the antenna.  Get on just after dark and get good signal
reports from the east coast, and haven't turned on the amp yet.  Clean
up the shack a bit, eat dinner, and go back to try 160 with the amp on.
Start to tune up the amp, SWR is terrible.  Look outside, with flashligh,
and the balloon has lost half its height.  We take it down, in the dark with
now even more wind, to discover that wind driven sand? has made quit a number
of small holes which are now growing.  We finally get the balloon deflated
in all that wind.  Rather depressed we sat down, had a few beers, and used
the rest of the helium to make our voices sound like Mickey Mouse.

Jay  K0GU

------------------------------

Date: 14 Mar 91 19:01:44 GMT
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Balloon Antennas
To: [e-mail]

I have been involved in a number of balloon-supported activities.
Here are the basic problems which have ALWAYS occurred:
1. Wind problems. Balloons have large surface areas, and hence any wind will
   blow them off to the side, making the antenna be non-vertical. If the
   balloon has enough lift, you can use a separate guy line on the upwind
   side, positioned so as to keep the antenna vertical above the desired
   spot. But the wind will shift direction and speed, making constant
   readjustment needed.

2. Break-loose problems. Strange as it may seem, every balloon we have
   ever used, despite past experience and all attempts to prevent it,
   has ultimately broken loose and floated away carrying the antenna
   wire. This inevitably happens in the wee hours of the morning
   when everyone is half asleep and is is so dark you can't see the
   balloon and antenna anyway. I suspect there are balloon gremlins that
   wander the earth just to do this to us. The symptom is that the receiver
   suddenly stops hearing any signals. The operator, being sleepy, takes a
   few minutes to realize that the band did not fade out, or the rig fail
   etc. Inspection by flashlight then reveals the departure of the balloon.
   We have also used what are called Kiteoons, with the same result. Perhaps
   the twisting of the wire causes this. We even put labels on the balloons
   in later attempts, asking that anyone who finds it please let us know.
   Nobody ever did.

These were all helium-filled balloons of various kinds and sizes.
If it is windy and there are objects around, don't even try to launch.
Trees and other antennas are deadly to balloons. WE once managed to
expertly impale the balloon on a 40-meter vertical that happened to
be nearby.

Electrically, the balloon antennas work like gangbusters. On 160 meters
you can dominate the band. You will need good ground radials and an
antenna tuner located right at the base. Good luck!

                       Bob W8ERD

------------------------------

Date: 16 Mar 91 00:55:20 GMT
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub![e-mail]
Subject: Fun with Balloons and long wires!
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Gary Skaggs) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Eric Moyer) writes:
>>
>>   I'm with the University of Delaware ARA and we're thinking about putting
>>a huge long wire antenna onto the end of a balloon and floating it up
>>above the shack. We'll probably use good 'ol 22 gauge magnet wire, so
>>the weight won't be all that great, but I haven't calculated it yet. I'd
>
>Eric, for field day a few years ago, our club used 500 ft. of insulated, number
>20 stainless steel wire (I know, I know, but we had it, OK?) and 5 ft.
>diameter when inflated advertising balloons.  One shot in the morning and
>a brief top-up during the heat of the day kept these in the air through
>the entire field day period.  Signal reports were great.  Winds were
>mercifully light that year...

...and if they aren't light, try a medium sized box kite. A parafoil
would have even better lifting power, and fly at a higher angle. Even
if the winds are light a decent-sized delta kite should heft a good
amount of wire. You could even dangle the wire under the kite so it'd
be more nearly vertical (if the winds are steady).

Of course, the usual prohibitions against flying kites near power lines
are infinitely more important when you have a wire involved, and I
don't know that I'd trust a wire to hold a big kite down, you'd
probably need a separate flying line as well. But kites are reusable
(you can even fly them without antennas!) and you can pretend you're
Marconi :)

Bill.

Bill Owens                                              [e-mail]
108 Computing Center                              uunet!acsu.buffalo.edu!owens
Buffalo, NY 12460                                                 716/636-3511

------------------------------

Date: 19 Mar 91 02:04:10 GMT
From: pyramid!infmx![e-mail]
Subject: Hints & Kinks for taking the General code test
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mark Rosneck) writes:
>My father is going to (finally) upgrade to General.  I understand how
>the new volunteer examiner system works but I'm not sure how the code
>tests are actually structured these days.  The last time I took a code
>test I got to sit in front of the FCC and sweat a lot.
>
>What sort of a test should he expect?  How is it graded?  Is a sending
>test still required?  Are there any hints for taking the test?
>
>I believe there was a thread on this a few months ago.  I'd appreciate
>it if someone could summarize the comments for me.
>

Call your local VEC.  Tests differ from one location to another.

Generally, he will enter a room and be asked to put on a pair of
headphones.  There is a warm-up period of five minutes or so where
code is sent at the same speed as the test.  Then the guy announces
that the test will begin, you hear a series of "V"s , and the 5-minute
test starts.    After the test, you are given a 10-minute written
exam with questions like:

         KK6MY DE ...
            A) WA6OIP
            B) WA7OIP
            C) WA6GIP
            D) WA7GSP

         RST ...

            A) 559
            B) 459
            C) 599
            D) 589

There will probably be NO sending test.



--

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Randall Rhea                                          Informix Software, Inc.
Senior Programmer/Analyst, MIS                    uunet!pyramid!infmx!randall

------------------------------

Date: 20 Mar 91 23:54:02 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT - 20 MARCH
To: [e-mail]

                        --  MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT  --

                                MARCH 19, 1991

                              Flare Event Summary
                          Potential Impact Assessment


                                    --------



MAJOR ENERGETIC EVENT SUMMARY

     Region 6555 spawned a major class M7.0/1F flare at 06:16 UT on 20
March.  The event began at 05:26 UT, peaked at 06:16 UT and ended at 06:18
UT on 20 March.  The event occurred at a location of S25E50.  There were no
radio signatures observed with this event.  No sweeps were observed either.

     Region 6555 appears quite formidable in white and H-alpha light.  It
is an impressive region to see, and contains a very large penumbral area
with large spots encompassed within the penumbra.


POTENTIAL TERRESTRIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

     This major class M7.0/1F flare will not have a terrestrial impact.  It
was radio-quiet and was rather weak as far as major flares go.

     Region 6555 has the potential to produce major flaring.  Minor M-class
flaring will certainly be observed from this region over the coming week,
probably intermixed with occassional isolated major flares.

     Region 6545 has decayed to the point now where major flaring is not
likely to be observed.  Minor M-class flaring could continue, but major
flaring is no longer a real threat from this region.

     A bulletin will be released near 06:00 UT on 21 March to reflect
the decreased flare probabilities and update the warnings.


**  End of Alert  **

------------------------------

Date: 15 Mar 91 18:16:15 GMT
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!kuhub.cc.ukans.edu!zeus.unomaha.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Monthly On-Line Elmers Resource Directory
To: [e-mail]

As part of the multi-pronged strategy of Project SAVE THE BANDWIDTH, I
will now put out a call for On-Line Elmers.  These are people, who by
virtue of skill and knowledge in an area of expertise in ham radio,
are willing to field E-mail by readers of the rec.radio.* groups.

Volunteers need only send me their name, E-mail address, and area of
expertise.  "Generalists" or "Miscellaneous" Elmers are also quite
welcome. Naturally, the more that volunteer, the more the work is
distributed.  If upon volunteering, you are unable to meet your
obligations, simply write to me and I will remove your name from the
list.   I could also add that because of "personal committments" or
"career broadening" you no longer are available to Elmer on a regular
basis.

I will be the point-of-contact for this project.  I will maintain the
list, post it to the groups at least monthly, and have the latest copy
placed in the supplemental archives at ftp.cs.buffalo.edu in
subdirectory pub/ham-radio.

Here is the latest version of the list.  If you sent me mail and are
not on it, please resend as it may have been lost on the way or once
it reached my host.

73, Paul, KD3FU

[e-mail]  uunet!unocss!zeus!acmnews  137.48.1.1

[e-mail]        uunet!mimsy!umail!ps67     128.8.10.28


ON-LINE Elmers Resource Directory (as of 03/15/91)
------------------------------------------------------

Dan Halbert, KB1RT
QTH is West Newton, MA, near Boston.

[e-mail]

Building homebrew QRP gear, Advice on simple antennas

------------------------------------------------------

Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU

[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Miscellaneous, Internet, College Clubs

------------------------------------------------------

Mike Waters    AA4MW/7

[e-mail]

Miscellaneous

------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: 18 Mar 91 20:33:29 GMT
From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla![e-mail]
Subject: Power Supply Design Question
To: [e-mail]

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, [e-mail] (Kip Ingram) writes:

>Hi.  I have a question about power supply design.  I bought a 55 volt, 2 amp
>(both rms values) transformer with the intent of building a supply that could
>deliver 80 watts or so.  However, I've become concerned about heating in the
>transformer.  Because the rectifier/filter capacitor pair only draw current
>from the transformer for a brief period each half cycle, the RI^2 heating
>is higher than it would be for an equal current flow under continuous duty.
>I see three options:

>    1. Let the transformer run hot
>    2. Back off on my power supply requirements.  I think I can get
>       60 volts at 0.7 amps without two much trouble.  40 watts rather
>       than 80.
>    3. Use a choke input filter rather than a capacitor input filter.
>       This will lower the DC voltage somewhat, but it's plenty high
>       anyway.

>Any advice out there?  Has anyone consistently driven transformers beyond
>their ratings?  I'm sure there's a safety margin built in, but have no idea
>how large it is.

If the transformer is rated for a resistive load, then yes, indeed, you
have to derate it for capacitive-input filters.  A factor of 2 sounds like
a reasonable derating factor, especially if the duty factor is less than 100%.

A choke-input filter should smooth out the current peaks, so you can use
the RMS power rating.

Transformers have very long thermal time constants.  If you are using
only a 50% duty cycle, you can run higher power.  Assuming no core
saturation, you should be able to run 1.4 times the current, so that
I^2 R is 2 times, for 1/2 the time.

AL N1AL

------------------------------

Date: 14 Mar 91 01:33:47 GMT
From: gatech!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!mcs.kent.edu!VAX1.CC.UAKRON.EDU!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!n8emr![e-mail]
Subject: Propagation Bull. #8, 3/9/91
To: [e-mail]

==============================================================
|         Relayed from packet radio via                |
| N8EMR's Ham BBS, 614-895-2553 1200/2400/9600/V.32/PEP/MNP5 |
==============================================================


SB ARRL @ ALLBBS $ARLP008
Propagation Bull. #8, 3/9/91

QST DE W1AW
PROPAGATION FORECAST BULLETIN 8  ARLP008
FROM TAD COOK, KT7H
SEATTLE, WA  MARCH 9, 1991
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS

Last week we reported the return of an active region to the visible
surface of the sun, and its effects on HF propagation.  With the
passing of this region, the forecast at that time was for stable
conditions and very little chance of solar flares, which turned out
to be wrong.

Instead, the Sun gave us quite a bit of flare activity, especially on
March 5th.  By the middle of that day local time, major flares were
observed at 0009, 0312, 0512, 0914 and 1721 UTC.  This resulted in a
number of sudden fades in HF radio propagation.  Since then, the solar
activity has been high to very high, with geomagnetic conditions
unsettled to active.

For the forecast week, look for solar activity to increase from
moderate to high levels, with geomagnetic conditions mostly unsettled.
The predicted 10.7 cm flux and planetary A index values for March 9
through 15 are 230/18, 235/15, 240/15, 250/15, 260/15, 270/10 and
280/10.  We could see more solar flare activity, but the high A index
values for this week are predicted due to the presence of a large
coronal hole on the surface of the Sun, and not from any solar flares.

American sunspot numbers for February 28 through March 6 were 89,
96, 77, 52, 59, 71 and 97 respectively, with a mean figure of 77.3.

Copied from W1AW by Tad, KT7H @ N7ENT.#WWA.WA.USA.NA.
/EX
--
Gary W. Sanders (gws@n8emr or ...!osu-cis!n8emr!gws), 72277,1325
N8EMR @ W8CQK (ip addr) 44.70.0.1 [Ohio AMPR address coordinator]
HAM BBS (1200/2400/9600/V.32/PEP/MNP=L5) 614-895-2553
Voice: 614-895-2552 (eves/weekends)

------------------------------

Date: 15 Mar 91 19:48:40 GMT
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!gvlf3.gvl.unisys.com!gvlf8-e![e-mail]
Subject: RFD (Request For Discussion) - Veterans Issues group
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mark H. Weber) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Arnie Skurow) writes:
>>
>>I'm proposing a new newsboard entitled Alt.Veterans.Issues.
>
>How about "soc.veterans.issues"? I'd be willing to run the vote for it.

After I posted this in alt.config, I was reminded (via email) that there is
an ongoing discussion in news.groups for a veterans' issues group. Here's an
excerpt from the original posting:

>Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups
>From: Larry W. Jewell, USN Ret. <[e-mail]>
>Subject: CFD:  talk.veterans
>Date: 9 Mar 91 06:30:14 GMT
>Approved: [e-mail]
>
>    I would like to propose "talk.veterans" as an unmoderated
>group.
>     Veterans have concerns, problems, and needs which are
>common to many of us, and knowing how someone else handled a
>situation could provide needed help in oun own case.
>     I see this group as being a place where we could trade
>information on the DVA, reunions, common causes, and resources
>that just don't get the widespread desimination required to
>reach the veteran community as a whole.

I think that a veterans group deserves a better home and wider distribution
than a "talk" or an "alt" group would get. "Soc" is probably the appropriate
place for this. Why not call it "soc.veterans.issues" or just "soc.veterans"?

Note that followups have been directed to news.groups, which is the usual
place for new mainstream group discussions.

--
  Mark H. Weber                   | Internet: [e-mail]
  Unisys - Great Valley Labs      |     UUCP: ...!uunet!cbmvax!gvlv2!markw
  Paoli, PA  USA  [phone]  |

------------------------------

Date: 17 Mar 91 08:35:45 GMT
From: HG.ULeth.CA![e-mail]
Subject: SOLAR TERRESTRIAL BULLETIN - WARNING UPDATES - 17 MARCH
To: [e-mail]

                /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                        SOLAR TERRESTRIAL BULLETIN

                              17 March, 1991

                  Terrestrial Geophysical Warning Updates

                /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\


UPDATED WARNING INFORMATION

     An interplanetary shock has failed to arrive as was originally
anticipated for 15 and 16 March.  A slight increase in geomagnetic activity
has been observed over the past several hours, but no significant shocks or
other anomalies have been observed.  The flare-related shock appears to have
missed the earth altogether.

     Given the amount of uncertainty regarding potential geomagnetic
impacts from the recent major flaring, the decision has been made to
maintain the POTENTIAL GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING through to at least 19
March.  The potential for a flare-induced increase in geomagnetic activity
is presently considered to be fairly small, but is high enough to warrant
continuation of the warning.  High latitude minor geomagnetic storming is
expected over the next three days at least.  Whether conditions will intensify
to encompass the middle latitudes is still an open question.  We see no reason
to expect major geomagnetic storming at the present time.

     The following warnings remain in effect:

  - POTENTIAL GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING (for 17, 18 and 19 March)
  - POTENTIAL SATELLITE PROTON EVENT WARNING
  - POTENTIAL PCA (POLAR CAP ABSORPTION) EVENT WARNING

If conditions change radically, an additional bulletin will be posted.
Degradation of HF signal propagation over the high and polar latitude signal
paths is expected to begin at any time.  Some middle and lower latitude signal
degradation is expected for 18 and possibly 19 March.


**  End of Bulletin  **

------------------------------

Date: 18 Mar 91 20:36:05 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!news.nd.edu!mentor.cc.purdue.edu!mace.cc.purdue.edu![e-mail]
Subject: upgrade from no-code tech
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Brett Breitweiser) writes:
>
> Query is: should I learn code at 5wpm (I know the dit-dah combos but
> need to develop "my ear") or should I just go straight to 13 wpm and
> the general test? Seems like I could and should just develop my ear at

In response to two related questions, I decided to post this.

I have Morse Tutor for the IBM PC.  I found it on a bulletin board several
years ago;  it should be available from the ARRL.  I could snail you
a copy of mine if you can't find one.  It's FREE, not shareware or
anything.  The author, Jay Duthler,  wrote it for the pleasure of teaching code.

The really keen thing about it is that it lets you set the character
formation speed and the character send speed seperately.  This way, you
can get used to the sound of characters formed at high speeds, while
still having enough time to think about and write down what you heard.
In this way, you can learn at five without hindering your ability to
move up to 13.

I set mine on 18 wpm character speed, and move the send speed up so
that it's about 2 wpm faster than I can reliably copy.  With this method,
I'm up to about 9 WPM reliable copy.  The progress has been fantastic.
I haven't had the chance to get my novice ticket yet, but only because
I've been waiting for a testing session.

It's the deluxe way to learn code.

Best wishes.  See you on the air soon.

--
Perry G. Ramsey           Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
[e-mail]   Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN USA
[e-mail]    ***  IMAGINE YOUR LOGO HERE  ******
    Ten thousand low-lifes a day read this space.

------------------------------

Date: 15 Mar 91 05:08:56 GMT
From: orion.oac.uci.edu!ucivax!jarthur!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!caen!news.cs.indiana.edu!know!cs.utexas.edu!oakhill!nddsun1![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>.wis
Subject : Re: Re: HF recomendations

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Alan Larson) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jeff Crilly N6ZFX) writes:
>>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mike Waters) writes:
>>>Don't overlook an "invisible dipole" using 22-24 gauge wire. You can
>>>even get it with light blue covering for wire wrap work. Use rubber
>>>bands as insulators and 1/8 inch coax.
>>The bandwidth will be very narrow, though.
>  From having operated just such an antenna for many years, I can claim
>that this is definitely NOT true.  The bandwidth is just fine.  Since
>the resistance of the wire lowers the Q, it may even be a bit broader
>than one made of heavy wire, but I was unable to measure that difference.
>Mine covered 40 meters just fine.

If you look in the ARRL antenna book, the 2:1 SWR bandwidth is just fine
on every band except 80M for wire the thickness of a human hair (weelll,
ALMOST that thin :-) ). In terms of percentage bandwidth (i.e.
width/freq.) the 40-10M ham bands are quite narrow. I doubt if you could
build a multi band version though :-)

On 80M running LOW power (<200W RF) and with a tunable power output
stage (antenna tuner or -ugh- tube type rigs) then even 80M should work
just fine. Remember thatSWR only MULTIPLIES losses, if the line loss is
low to start with a 10:1 or 20:1 SWR will only cause a 5-10% loss of
power compared to 1:1. For short runs of cable (<50 ft) even the 1/8"
coax has quite low loss at 80M. The 1/8" cable can only handle a limited
power though and the max power must be derated too. If the cable can
handle 500W at 1:1 SWR, it will only handle 100W at 5:1 SWR or 50W at
10:1 SWR. Yes I HAVE melted cable with 100W RF!

--
           *Mike Waters    AA4MW/7  [e-mail] *
We ARE as gods and might as well get good at it.
        -- Whole Earth Catalog

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