Back around 2007, with the radio shop in Los Angeles, I wanted
to make a antenna distribution system. So one antenna could
"source" multiple radios. having an antenna to test radios being
repaired on the bench and showing off radios up in the front to
customers.

I built a small amplifier to do that with. Didn't work. Got
distracted and went onto other things that took priority.

Around January, I decided to have another go at it. Found out
why it didn't work and wet about fixing it. Turns out it NEVER
would have worked at all. Sigh, always something.

Then sitting in the bathroom, re-reading a 4-5 year QST magazine
I stumbled across a nice "antenna multi-coupler" project. Except
that the parts used were already obsolete.

So I came up with a substitute and surprisingly that worked quite
well.

Now I need an antenna that works across a broad spectrum. From
broadcast band (0.54 to 1.7 MHz) and up through 30 MHz.

Enter the whole terminate folded dipole project up on the roof.

It's finally up and assembled. All 122 feet of it. And it seems to
work amazingly well over the entire range.

Technically, I have accomplished my goal.

But of course, it _would_ be nice if I could use this antenna for
transmitting as well since I'm am licensed to do so. So that's
where the extra "flailing around" comes in.

I have ordered some commercial parts for less than it would
have cost me to fabricate them myself. Those should be here
Friday or next Monday. I'm hoping that solves the transmit
issue.

But as I said, the original goal has been met. Quite well.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi

On 6/6/2013 12:23 PM, Foxs Mercantile wrote:
I have ordered some commercial parts for less than it would
have cost me to fabricate them myself. Those should be here
Friday or next Monday. I'm hoping that solves the transmit
issue.

The parts came in. A 300 watt 800 ohm termination and a 1 KW
16:1 balun.

Without any antenna tuner, the as measured SWR is at or below
2:1 to one and in some cases 1.5:1.

This is on all bands from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz.

This is well within the range of "ok" as is and the internal
antenna tuners make quick work of it.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi