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Old October 25th 10, 09:24 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
[email protected] nm5k@wt.net is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 757
Default 300 Ohm Ladder Line Issues

On Oct 24, 10:23*pm, Tom Horne wrote:
I have read that the presently available 300 ohm ladder line is
unsuitable to use at some amateur radio frequencies because of it's
construction and the losses caused by skin effect in the copper coated
steel construction. *I have been using a Terminated Folded Dipole in a
flat top configuration as my HF antenna at home. *Having recently
acquired an Icom AH-4 Antenna Coupler I am considering converting it
to a simple folded dipole, *feeding it with 300 ohm ladder line to
match it's nominal impedance from the coupler. *I know your sure that
there is a question in here someplace so is there better quality 300
ohm window line available that is entirely stranded copper in it's
construction?
--
Tom Horne, W3TDH


For me, it's not the wire that is a problem. It's rain..
When dry, most all the 300 ohm lines are going to
be fairly low loss. Even with the cheap wire.
But get the line good and wet, and it all goes out the
window. For this reason, I would prefer a windowed
ladder type line for this, rather than 300 ohm.
It's less effected by rain.
Most ladder type lines will be in the 450 ohm range,
but that would vary with spacing of the conductors.
But that is not critical in your case.. 300, 450, 600
ohms, doesn't really matter too much..