My first contact

[w3jn]

There's almost always several AM QSOs on 160 any nite of the week... however static season is close approaching and the activity will die off as we approach summer.

[WA1GFZ]

160 meters works most of the summer. 1885, 1930 and 1945.

[N0WVA]

Ladder line going directly to the middle of a single wire dipole will work fine. But I think a folded will work better. Just use the ladder line for a folded dipole, and there ya go!

I like to keep losses at a minimum anywhere I can. By themselves they arent much, but add them all up and it makes a difference!

[AB1GX]

Ladder line going directly to the middle of a single wire dipole will work fine. But I think a folded will work better. Just use the ladder line for a folded dipole, and there ya go!

I like to keep losses at a minimum anywhere I can. By themselves they arent much, but add them all up and it makes a difference!

I bought a couple of old Swan 500C transceivers and cleaned them up.  For these guys, I'll take use your advice and put up a multiband antenna cut for 80 meters, ladder line to a homebrew antenna tuner and on to the vintage transceiver.

For one Swan, I need a Mallory electrolytic cap.  It's in the metal can with two sections 40uF, 40uF @ 450V.  Anyone know a source?

[Bow/KD5KZN]

http://www.tubesandmore.com/scripts/foxweb.dll/EXTPAGE@d:/dfs/elevclients/cemirror/ELEVATOR.FXP?PAGE=SUBCAT&SEARCH_TREE01=CAPACITORS&SEARCH_TREE02=MULTISECTION

You should be able to find something there at AES http://www.tubesandmore.com/

Remember, you can increase the voltage, and the uf value

[N0WVA]

Yep, you will find some twistlocks in there that will probably fit right in but with higher values which is fine....Also remember, if those prices are too steep for you, you can scab in some radial electrolytics underneath.....

[steve_qix]

Ok, I'll chime in on the feedline thing.  A lot of guys swear by open wire line.  I swear AT it    But, seriously...

I use one antenna for 75 and 160 meters - yes, fed with coax.  2 antennas connected to the same feed line at 90 degree angles to each other.  Another completely seperate antenna for 40 meters and 10 meters.  Didn't bother with 20 - maybe someday..

The thing I don't like about open wire is trying to get it balanced.  It's just about impossible in the "real" world of trees, wires and the like - and if the feedline is LONG (like mine is), that's more of a problem.  I didn't even get into the tuner issue.

So, good old hard line coax from the local scrap yard (cable TV hard line - cheap and works great!).  I've got about 15 type 43 toroids at the end of the coax (the coax passes through these cores) at the antenna to decouple the line from the antenna itself.

The results speak for themselves    (for anyone who has ever talked with me on 75 or 160, that is) 

Regards,

Steve

[WA1GFZ]

But Steve can you tune all of 75 3.6 to 4 mHz.
This usuallty takes 2 or 3 dipoles off the same feedpoint.

I have no problem with either system and run both.
Coax is a lot easier to deal with though.

[steve_qix]

On the tuning - the lowest I've gone is 3680 and the highest I've gone is 3945.  It worked well in that range - the SWR stayed low.  That antenna is resonant at around 3.8mHz, so it goes about the same in either direction.

Regards,

Steve

[WA1GFZ]

Yup I can go to about 3680 with the coax fed antenna below that the SWR takes off. My ant is also set for 3.8 MHz. I have found a multiwire dipole will extend the range.
I still like to have one antenna on a tuner that will go anywhere. I find the tuner in the basement near ground works the best. Put it up on the second floor of a house and there is RF everywhere.  I checked the balance on my feeders with 2 RF amp meters and it was right on. I think thelonger the feeder the better the balance. Even on 160 going from 1885 to 1945 the tuner wants a slight adjustment.