lol, very true.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 7:31 AM
Subject: Re: A QRP portable antenna and question


>I would if the mast was a bat.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 3:36 PM
> Subject: Re: A QRP portable antenna and question
>
>
>> No surprise on radio shack, I wouldn't touch their BNC connectors with a
>> 40
>> foot mast.
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Scott Howell" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 5:20 PM
>> Subject: Re: A QRP portable antenna and question
>>
>>
>>> Buddy,
>>>
>>> I am going to see if I can find these. I thought maybe the Radio Shack =
>>> would have something, but alas they had these twist-on BNCs that would =
>>> not work for what I wanted and they had one that used a set screw =
>>> arrangement, but no use either. ALthough it would probably be a nice =
>>> emergency repair plug. Amazingly (or not) they did not have the solder =
>>> BNC type connectors, so I'll dig about and find something like what you 
>>> =
>>> have. I'm sure Joel at RF COnnections wil have millions of them in all =
>>> shapes, colors, and likely that connect themselves. :)
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Scott/N3BYY
>>> On Jan 14, 2012, at 3:28 PM, Buddy Brannan wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Scott,
>>>>=20
>>>> I used a BNC to dual binding post adapter for this purpose. Forget =
>>> where =3D
>>>> I got mine, but it has a BNC connector with two standard binding posts 
>>>> =
>>> =3D
>>>> attached, such that one wire is connected to the center pin and the =3D
>>>> other is ground. Dead easy that way.
>>>> --
>>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>>=20
>>>>=20
>>>>=20
>>>> On Jan 14, 2012, at 1:37 PM, Scott Howell wrote:
>>>>=20
>>>>> Hey good people,
>>>>> =3D20
>>>>> Well all this antenna talk got me thinking about an antenna solution =
>>> =3D
>>>> for =3D3D
>>>>> my KX1. I was reading a Q&A on the Elecraft site and they recommended 
>>>>> =
>>> =3D
>>>> a =3D3D
>>>>> 24-foot piece of wire connected to the center of a BNC connector. =
>>> THen =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> you would attach a 16-foot piece of wire. However, what was not =
>>> stated =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> and what I wanted to know (not having put hands on this =
>>> configuration) =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> where do you connect the 16-foot piece of wire that is acting as a =
>>> =3D3D
>>>>> counterpoise?
>>>>> Here is what Elecraft states on their site.
>>>>> Q:  What's your favorite field antenna?  A:  A rotatable log-periodic 
>>>>> =
>>> =3D
>>>> at =3D3D
>>>>> 100', fed with home-made ladder line. (Just kidding!) What we =3D
>>>> recommend =3D3D
>>>>> in the KXAT1 manual for 40-20 m is about 24' of #26 insulated =3D3D
>>>>> copper-clad steel antenna wire (available from The Wireman), used as =
>>> a =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> vertical or "sorta-vertical" radiator. You'll also need at least one =
>>> =3D3D=3D
>>>>=20
>>>>> ground radial, 16' or longer (more on that below). The wire can be =
>>> =3D3D
>>>>> tossed into a tree, or, if a tree is not available, supported by a =
>>> =3D3D
>>>>> portable mast or other support. The 24' length can be loaded on all =
>>> =3D3D
>>>>> three bands (20, 30 and 40 meters), and the wire itself weighs under =
>>> 1 =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> ounce. Performance of this antenna varies with wire length, height, =
>>> =3D3D
>>>>> ground characteristics, and the nature of surrounding objects, but in 
>>>>> =
>>> =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> general will be much better than a short, loaded vertical, and may =
>>> =3D3D
>>>>> outperform a low-mounted dipole or inverted vee. Even on 40 meters,
>>>>> =3D=
>>>
>>>> the =3D3D
>>>>> 24' length will perform very well once matched by the tuner. A 33' =3D
>>>> wire =3D3D
>>>>> length should be avoided since it's close to a half-wave on 20 =
>>> meters. =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> For 80 m, a resonant antenna is recommended. It should be possible to 
>>>>> =
>>> =3D
>>>> =3D3D
>>>>> use an 80 m antenna on multiple bands. A loading coil is another =3D3D
>>>>> possibility to get a shorter antenna running on 80 m.
>>>>> =3D20
>>>>> So, Just trying to figure out the best way to do this and input =3D3D
>>>>> appreciated. Yeah I should be getting good at antennas before long =3D
>>>> since =3D3D
>>>>> I have to put something together.
>>>>> =3D20
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> 73
>>>>> Scott/N3BYY=3D3D