Great project.
looks like an interesting antenna.  The description of how to build it is a
little hard to understand at first, but i think I got the jist.
I did have to google it, until i looked at the link you posted and realized
there was a space between the last dot and the HTM which made the link in
operaable.
Here is the link that will go to the page directly:

HTTP://www.norcalqrp.org/norcaldoublet.htm

looks like there are some other interesting projects on that page as well.
I'm wondering if someone could explain how or why a doublet works, and what
the difference between a doublet and a regular center fed dipole is.
I think the computer cable doublet is built like this:
50FT of four conducter flat computer cable/ribbon.  The two outside wires
are stripped back 22 feet on each side.  The two center wires are cut off at
30FT from the shack end and shorted together.  You use this shorted end to
support the doublet through a fishing swivel onto a 24 foot fishing poll.
the other two ends of the previously stripped down 22 foot lengths are then
supported somewhere else away from the central support...although the
description didn't specify in what sort of configuration they should be in,
either inverted V, V, flat, sloaped, L or what, or perhaps it doesn't
matter.  You then use the two outside wires of the computer ribbon in the
shack to feed the antenna through an antenna tuner or some kind of matching
network...this is the only downside of the antenna i can see.  Apparently a
balun works well for it too.
anyway, I think that is how it is done.
Still requires somewhat of a yard to string the longer wires out in some
kind of configuration to radiate.
That said, I think this might be a pretty decent antenna for Shaun to try
out in his circumstances...it sounds very cheap to make, easy to physically
build, and you can likely get away with running the elements in nearly any
configuration you want to try.

73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gale Conard" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 8:00 AM
Subject: Portable or restricted space antenna


>
> I don't think I have noticed any mention of this antenna, in all the
antenna
> discussions on the list.
>
> For those of _us! who have very little space, it might be worthwhile
looking
> at the NorCal doublet.  I haven't tried it, yet, but I plan to as soon as
I
> can gather the materials.  I can think of no reason why it shouldn't work
as
> well with 100 watts as with     QRP.  With  minor modifications, it would
> probably be ok for higher power, too.
>
> The website is:
> http://norcalqrp.org/norcaldoublet.
> htm
>
> or, I found it with Google.
>
> Good luck and have fun.
>
> 73,
> Gale
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -- 
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1:11 PM
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>