Hi Dan,
I did this years ago using a switch.I could feed any one of the four corners
to change direction. Funny, it worked better in the N/S direction than E/W.
Using 400 ohm twin lead and a far ranging 25-1250PF variables and switching
in more cap using Sprague doorknobs for 40 and 80m I know it should not take
this much but mine did. I guess if it don't work one way try another. I will
not comment on the MFJ thing. Borrow a better one from a local if you can. I
think someone else here mentioned to make sure the gutter pieces are
electrically conducting. I also broke the gutters into V-beams, but it did
not work as well.
Bill Wall KC4UZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Evans" <n9rla@yahoo.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 6:54 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Loading up my rain gutters:-) Follow up
> Hi All,
>
> I want to thank everyone for the advice. Here is where I'm at so far.
> I "wired" it up this past weekend. And it works, although not as well as
> I had hoped. It loads up fine on 10-40, but just will not load on 75
> meters. But that may just be my "cheap" tuner. I am using an MFJ945D
which
> may not have quite enough range to get it down to 75 meters. I've made a
> couple of "test" QSO's on 20, but how efficient it is remains to be seen.
> But one
> of my favorite sayings is "Any antenna is a whole bunch of db's better
than
> no antenna" :-)
>
> The vertical part of my gutters is
> probably only 15 feet or so, with about 35 feet along each side. The
> aluminum trim also continues around the house, which creates a big "loop".
> I guess what I have is actually a very short vertical, with a real big
> "hat".
>
> Also, I have not put out any radials. I may see if I can hide a single
> counter-poise, but I don't think I can get much more than that. My
current
> ground is a 6 foot rod that was installed for the dss dish near it:-)
>
> My only other idea was to put up a hamstick or similar mobile antenna.
But
> it seems to me like the gutters would have to be better than a mobile
> antenna.
>
> 73
> Dan
>
> Dan Evans N9RLA
> 2015 S. Jimtown Ln.
> Scottsburg, IN 47170
> {EM78}
> 1/2 of the N9RLA /R no budget Rover Team
> Check out the Rover Resource Page at:
> http://www.qsl.net/n9rla
>
>
>
>
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