With the variables due to ground condition changing as the ground conditions
change ( at least in my geographical area...the ground can be dry as a bone
and cracked, and the next day be soaked with 5 inches of rain), I'm wondering
if any TopBanders are experimenting with remote termination controls?
The BCB DXers seem to have a passion for skewing, or fine tuning their
receive antennas, and the Vactrol is an easy way to do this from the shack.
If you're not familiar, a Vactrol is a lamp and photo resistor in one
package. Vary the lamp (or LED) brightness, and vary the photocells
resistance. Typical full swing range is 150 or so Ohms through 10K+.
I have a source for the older style which has an actual lightbulb in it
instead of the LED, and I figure that's better because there are no
non-linear junctions floating about that way.
A reflector discussion on this topic, as it relates directly
to 160 Meter operations would be welcome, and direct please for other
applications.
Happy Building, Geo KØFF
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