I built myself a new doublet antenna. Basically just a center insulator with 80-90 feet of wire on each side. Now I am faced with a dilemma. Should I buy ready made 450-600 ohm open (balanced) wire line, or should I build my own ? If I do decide to buy ready made what types do you recommend ? I am tempted to build my own but...:chin:
I keep my 2 feet on the ground, and my head in the twilight zone.
I use the solid core because I got some cheap, but check out #552
http://www.thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced
"Where would we be without the agitators of the world to attach the electrodes
of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?" ~ Professor "Dick" Soloman
Best advice I can give you, John is to check out a hamfest. Not Wireman though. Used wire is good too. Test for continuity. LOL!
I picked up a NEW! 60' roll 450 ohm last may for less than $14 Then last October I found a roll of old or used wire that was in fine shape. Almost 250' for $15. In both of course, I saved on shipping charges even though I spent gas to get there but, it wasn't just about the wire, it was about all the sights (and smells) of the hamfest scene.
I've enjoyed island life for 17 years. That's 13 years more than the Confederacy was around.
RIP Albi
When do you tell a woman you're a ham?
It's a jungle out there. Many EQ stupidly with poor articulation.
~TKX
YIAH
"And, of course, the Gym Teacher being his usual self."
W3WN
"The enablers ride on the top of the pile."
WZ7U
I keep wanting to buy 100' of that stranded stuff. For longevity.
I figured this may be the last time John ever wants to put this antenna up.
;)
"Where would we be without the agitators of the world to attach the electrodes
of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?" ~ Professor "Dick" Soloman
It largely depends on how much you need. If it's only a small amount, it might be worth it to D-Y-I, but if you need a lot, then you have to take into account how much your time is worth to you when you calculate any savings achieved. Take the cost of the wire and the spreader material, then add that to what you feel you're worth per hour multiplied it by how many hours you think it's going to take. My suggestion: figure the longest possible time you think it will take--then double it. Projects always take longer than you expect.
I'm betting that if you use my calculation method, you'll decide to buy. I concur with trying to find the line used if you can but even new may make more economic sense.
All the world’s a stage, but obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.
Well, I figure 75 - 100 feet ought to do it. Actually I have even had good results using ultra cheap old fashioned 300 ohm TV twin lead. And the dang stuff was able to take some wattage too.
Last edited by n2ize; 11-15-2010 at 09:15 PM.
I keep my 2 feet on the ground, and my head in the twilight zone.
Approx 4.5 - 6 inch pieces of PVC pipe as spacers with slits on the ends to accomodate the wore ought to do it. I think I'm going to homebrew my own.
I keep my 2 feet on the ground, and my head in the twilight zone.
Awww. That antenna will never go up.
"Where would we be without the agitators of the world to attach the electrodes
of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?" ~ Professor "Dick" Soloman
In that case you need to use whale bone.Originally Posted by n2ize
I've enjoyed island life for 17 years. That's 13 years more than the Confederacy was around.
RIP Albi
When do you tell a woman you're a ham?
It's a jungle out there. Many EQ stupidly with poor articulation.
~TKX
YIAH
"And, of course, the Gym Teacher being his usual self."
W3WN
"The enablers ride on the top of the pile."
WZ7U
And don't forget to send the pieces off to Nunavut to be gummed by toothless Inuit women before assembly. It will lower the SWR.
All the world’s a stage, but obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.
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