Re: [TenTec] Ten Tec 238 coupler and 160 meters

[Ken Brown <ken.d.brown@hawaiiantel.net>]

> That's a new one on me.  How could loss be less with high SWR on a 
> short length of coax?  It makes no sense.
The loss in coax at HF frequencies is not that high, and the additional 
loss due to high SWR is also not that high. (At least compared to what 
happens at VHF) For HF systems keeping SWR low on coax is still a good 
idea, but it is more to reduce the possibility of HV arc over than to 
minimize the loss. (A matter of opinion no doubt, but if you work out 
the numbers you may have the same opinion) If the added line is short 
and makes it easier for the tuner to match, the additional loss in the 
coax is likely to be less than the reduced loss in the tuner when it 
sees an easier to match impedance.
DE N6KB