Thank you everyone who contributed to this thread. I am quite happy that this kluge works as well as it does so never one to leave well enough alone I went back to the plumbing shop and got them to create 2 cooper pipe sections using the eq of 2in diameter tubing, each 12ft in length. Through the language barrier we agreed that they would use their tubing bender to bend each section into a 1/2 circle and swage one end so the two seconds could be overlapped inserting one into the other for several inches. They said I could pick them up tomorrow. I also got 2 90 degree elbows to form the ends of a new set of piston caps. The sections are just small enough to drag up the stairs to my living room and assemble once inside my apartment. The new loop will have that one joint in the main loop that has to be soldered with a torch. When assembled the 2 in diameter tubing will form a loop that is 8 feet tall giving a few feet clearance in the living room if mounted vertically. The resistive losses should be pretty low for this new loop that should cover down to 80m but be optimum for 40m. I'll try to find another Jennings Vac cap when I go back to California Aug 30. But if not the piston caps work fine. Years ago I built a loop that worked well in a large Jennings cap, the most difficult part was the gear reduction mechanics. I read the German language papers concerning magnet loops written in the 40s when they were developed for submarine use so the whole concept of magnetic antenna had intrigued me for years.
Figuring out the tuning range is pretty simple using my Motorola service monitor tracking generator and spectrum analyzer. I'll report back when I get it assembled tomorrow night. Stan ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
