Rick,
Thanks for the suggestion to use fishing weights to terminate the
radials. It sounds safer as long as you don't chew the weights.
I have an opportunity to make the trip this year. It is turning into a
grand tour as I have family between here and there and so I get to visit
along the way. If I am going to do it, what better excuse to try a
little portable QRP or whatever. The Argosy will go to 50 W but I
suspect that might have an effect on battery life.
John / WA1JG
On 4/4/2012 1:18 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
> John,
>
> Another idea for securing radials is, instead of using nails, simply attach
> 4oz or 5oz lead sinkers to the ends of the radials (from the fishing
> supplies store). That is enough weight to hold them in place, without
> having to pound them into the ground. Also, if a pedestrian happens to
> catch his foot in one, it will move with him and not trip him up.
>
> If you are not after squeezing every last fraction of a dB out of the
> antenna, I would suggest mounting the coil lower to the ground, about 4 or 5
> ft. high. That way you can reach it to change the taps.
>
> Important is to have fun! I never made it to a Ten-Tec Hamfest. I envy you
> being able to go.
>
> 73
> Rick, DJ0IP
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of John
> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 6:09 PM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
>
> Rick,
>
> You found it. And yes, I do understand that it will be barely functional at
> 60 M. It does give me 10, 15, and 20 M so that would be nice break in the
> driving. The antenna only needs the coil for 60 m, 40 M, 30M and barely (1
> turn) for 20M, I am going to think about your
> suggestion for 40. But it is collapsible and I started with the
> premise that if I am going to the TT Fleamarket, I should bring a radio.
> I have the Argosy, and it works, I can find picnic benches between here
> and there. This antenna seems like a reasonable compromise and the Argosy
> dunna work so well without one.
>
> As to radials, I was thinking about 12 radials about 15 ft long.
> Attach 2 sets to each side of the base with a wing nut. Again, it isn't
> ideal, but should work reasonably well. I was thinking about getting a
> 15 or so 40 or 60 d nails to use as anchors. Maybe 20d nails might be
> better, or at least cheaper and easier to insert into the ground. I could
> crimp large rings on the outer end of each radial and nail it down, so to
> speak. At any rate, I do believe that 12 to 16 radials is the minimum to
> make the antenna play nice.
>
> At the very least,it is an interesting project.
>
> John / WA1JG
>
>
>
>
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>
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