What is the effect of the inner conductor if I am using the shield only
for one of the elements of an antenna? That is, the inner conductor is
connected to nothing but the shield is driven.

Thanks,
John

On Dec 27, 8:46*am, John - KD5YI wrote:
What is the effect of the inner conductor if I am using the shield only
for one of the elements of an antenna? That is, the inner conductor is
connected to nothing but the shield is driven.

Thanks,
John

Antenna current is on the outside of the outer conductor. The effect
of the inner conductor is to add a bit of mechanical strength to the
element. In fact, if you use RG-6 with a copper-clad steel inner
conductor, that inner conductor will add considerably to the tensile
strength of the element, and keep it from stretching so much if it's
under tension. You can connect the inner conductor electrically to
the outer at one or both ends and it won't have any effect (unless it
extends significantly beyond the length of the outer conductor).

Cheers,
Tom

What is the effect of the inner conductor if I am using the shield only
for one of the elements of an antenna? That is, the inner conductor is
connected to nothing but the shield is driven.

If you transmit through it make sure you do it at night and have a video
camera on tripod ;-)

On 12/27/2010 12:32 PM, K7ITM wrote:
On Dec 27, 8:46 am, John - wrote:
What is the effect of the inner conductor if I am using the shield only
for one of the elements of an antenna? That is, the inner conductor is
connected to nothing but the shield is driven.

Thanks,
John

Antenna current is on the outside of the outer conductor. The effect
of the inner conductor is to add a bit of mechanical strength to the
element. In fact, if you use RG-6 with a copper-clad steel inner
conductor, that inner conductor will add considerably to the tensile
strength of the element, and keep it from stretching so much if it's
under tension. You can connect the inner conductor electrically to
the outer at one or both ends and it won't have any effect (unless it
extends significantly beyond the length of the outer conductor).

Cheers,
Tom


Thanks for the info, Tom.

Cheers,
John