Will probably be the next antenna for me. I would like more info on how to build one like yours Kevin?
Ron D'Eau Claire <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:The "windom" has been a popular and effective antenna that turns up regularly since I got my first ticket over half a century ago. Originally it was an alternative to using heavy, open wire feedline for a horizontal dipole. The idea was that the single wire "feeder" would attach at the point on the dipole that matched the characteristic impedance of the wire, so there'd be no standing waves on the "feed" wire. No standing waves = no radiation; exactly what we want in a feedline. There's a lot in the Ham literature about how to find that magic feedpoint exactly, using RF ammeters connected to the horizontal wire and moving the feed point back and forth with pulleys, etc., before attaching it permanently. Unfortunately, that only works at ONE frequency! Most Hams like to QSY a bit, even back in the days of crystal control! But what does work FB is simply loading the "Windom" up as a random wire like Kevin does. The vertical "feedline" now radiates like crazy with the top wire acting as "top loading" to make the vertical wire electrically longer than it appears. That raises the feed point impedance, and so the efficiency, on the lower bands. Since the "feeder" doesn't connect at the center, the top wire radiates a lot too. The end result is a big mix of horizontal and vertical radiation. So the "Windom" has become a popular and effective multi-band antenna, even though Windom himself designed it for single-frequency use. Just goes to show the true spirit of Hams - try it and see if it works. If it works use it! Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin Rock Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2004 7:27 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Another "dipole" with a simpler tuner and feedline You just described the antenna I take camping with me and my K2. I have an ATU on the original top so it works nicely. The flex weave makes it very nice for throwing up and taking down. I can tie knots in the wire and they come out fine. I tie a sheet bend to some mason's line and take a few 2 ounce sinkers to whip them up in the fir trees. Or if I feel brave I swing the lead weight around my head and let fly. ... 73, Kevin. KD5ONS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
