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OT: G5RV antenna

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Ken G Kopp

OT: G5RV antenna

As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
it's a 20M only antenna.

Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …

Start with a dipole …

Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.

Delete the 68' of coax.

What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
known as a Zepp.

73!

Ken Kopp - K0PP
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Don Wilhelm

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

Ken and all,

More correctly if the terminology of hams is to be deemed correct, it is
a "Double Extended Zepp". The radiator each side of center is 5/8
wavelength long (at 20 meters). The 32' 300 ohm ladder line is for
impedance transformation. It does provide some broadside gain on 20 meters.

I hesitate to call anything other than the original Zepp antenna (so
named because it was towed behind Zeppelin airships) a "Zepp", but hams
have known to construe antenna names before.

The original Zepp antenna is a half wave antenna fed with a 1/4 wave
parallel feedline. Turn it vertically and what do you have but what is
commonly called the J-pole in VHF circles.

Who said there is new antenna technology? Much is just renamed antennas
that have been around for 50 to 80 years in one form or another.
Various methods of radiator to feedline matching may be newer stuff, but
the behavior of radiators has been relatively unchanged over a long
period of time.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/8/2018 11:32 AM, Ken G Kopp wrote:

> As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
> RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
> it's a 20M only antenna.
>
> Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
>
> Start with a dipole …
>
> Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
>
> Delete the 68' of coax.
>
> What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
> known as a Zepp.

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Rose

OT: G5RV antenna

Don is of course correct in his reference to the antenna actually being an
"extended double zepp" using the dimensions in my example.

73 !

K0PP

On Sat, Dec 8, 2018, 15:15 Don Wilhelm <[hidden email] wrote:

> Ken and all,
>
> More correctly if the terminology of hams is to be deemed correct, it is
> a "Double Extended Zepp". The radiator each side of center is 5/8
> wavelength long (at 20 meters). The 32' 300 ohm ladder line is for
> impedance transformation. It does provide some broadside gain on 20
> meters.
>
> I hesitate to call anything other than the original Zepp antenna (so
> named because it was towed behind Zeppelin airships) a "Zepp", but hams
> have known to construe antenna names before.
>
> The original Zepp antenna is a half wave antenna fed with a 1/4 wave
> parallel feedline. Turn it vertically and what do you have but what is
> commonly called the J-pole in VHF circles.
>
> Who said there is new antenna technology? Much is just renamed antennas
> that have been around for 50 to 80 years in one form or another.
> Various methods of radiator to feedline matching may be newer stuff, but
> the behavior of radiators has been relatively unchanged over a long
> period of time.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/8/2018 11:32 AM, Ken G Kopp wrote:
> > As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
> > RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
> > it's a 20M only antenna.
> >
> > Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
> >
> > Start with a dipole …
> >
> > Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
> >
> > Delete the 68' of coax.
> >
> > What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
> > known as a Zepp.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

In addition, Reg was designing in the era of valve output transmitters with built-in pi-tank matching system, so, it was possible to match on different bands. I'm sure mine worked across 80 to 10m in those days. For 80 to 10m these days I use a off-centre-fed dipole with hybrid choke/transformer at the feed point as designed by DJ0IP for minimum common mode current.
David G3UNA

> On 08 December 2018 at 16:32 Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
> RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
> it's a 20M only antenna.
>
> Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
>
> Start with a dipole …
>
> Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
>
> Delete the 68' of coax.
>
> What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
> known as a Zepp.
>
> 73!
>
> Ken Kopp - K0PP

Elecraft mailing list

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

Sorry, I said Reg, should have said Louis
David G3UNA

> On 09 December 2018 at 16:30 CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> In addition, Reg was designing in the era of valve output transmitters with built-in pi-tank matching system, so, it was possible to match on different bands. I'm sure mine worked across 80 to 10m in those days. For 80 to 10m these days I use a off-centre-fed dipole with hybrid choke/transformer at the feed point as designed by DJ0IP for minimum common mode current.
> David G3UNA
>
> > On 08 December 2018 at 16:32 Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> >
> > As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
> > RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
> > it's a 20M only antenna.
> >
> > Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
> >
> > Start with a dipole …
> >
> > Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
> >
> > Delete the 68' of coax.
> >
> > What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
> > known as a Zepp.
> >
> > 73!
> >
> > Ken Kopp - K0PP
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

From my experience, more folks should pay attention to the antenna and
balun work done by DJ0IP. They would likely have better performing
antennas. His work is proven on antennas and not text book or computer
models, but indeed he provides real world results.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 12/9/2018 10:30 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote:

> In addition, Reg was designing in the era of valve output transmitters with built-in pi-tank matching system, so, it was possible to match on different bands. I'm sure mine worked across 80 to 10m in those days. For 80 to 10m these days I use a off-centre-fed dipole with hybrid choke/transformer at the feed point as designed by DJ0IP for minimum common mode current.
> David G3UNA
>
>> On 08 December 2018 at 16:32 Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
>> RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
>> it's a 20M only antenna.
>>
>> Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
>>
>> Start with a dipole …
>>
>> Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
>>
>> Delete the 68' of coax.
>>
>> What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
>> known as a Zepp.
>>
>> 73!
>>
>> Ken Kopp - K0PP
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Doug Person-5

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

I experimented with a G5RV. I did not have worth while results. A simple
dipole with a quality current balun easily outperformed it. I also tried
the "Mystery Antenna" - a joke. Measurements were down to a millimeter.
It was up for an hour then was scrapped. I did have "acceptable" results
with the G5RV in that my Differential-T tuner could load it on 40
through 10 quite easily.

My next test was a 132' doublet fed with 40' of good quality 300 ohm
twin lead into an excellent 1:1 current balun with 10' of RG/213 into my
tuner. Tunes 160 through 10 with my Diff-T tuner. Signal reports were
outstanding on 40 and easily a match for the dipole on 20. Nothing
surprising about these results.

As many have said before - the 132' wire-fed doublet is the best
overall, must versatile antenna you can erect.

73, Doug -- KJ0F

On 12/9/2018 12:52 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:

> From my experience, more folks should pay attention to the antenna and
> balun work done by DJ0IP. They would likely have better performing
> antennas. His work is proven on antennas and not text book or
> computer models, but indeed he provides real world results.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 12/9/2018 10:30 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote:
>> In addition, Reg was designing in the era of valve output
>> transmitters with built-in pi-tank matching system, so, it was
>> possible to match on different bands. I'm sure mine worked across 80
>> to 10m in those days. For 80 to 10m these days I use a
>> off-centre-fed dipole with hybrid choke/transformer at the feed point
>> as designed by DJ0IP for minimum common mode current.
>> David G3UNA
>>
>>> On 08 December 2018 at 16:32 Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
>>> RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
>>> it's a 20M only antenna.
>>>
>>> Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
>>>
>>> Start with a dipole …
>>>
>>> Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
>>>
>>> Delete the 68' of coax.
>>>
>>> What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
>>> known as a Zepp.
>>>
>>> 73!
>>>
>>> Ken Kopp - K0PP
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bill Frantz

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

I kinda like my 160M coax fed half wave dipole. I can get
something out of it on all bands with the K3 tuner, although 80M
is very marginal. I have a couple of FT8 QSOs with Quebec on 6M
using it, although the azimuth pattern looks like a porcupine.

However, for most purposes, my 8 band trapped vertical is better
on the high bands.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 12/9/18 at 1:46 PM, [hidden email] (Doug Person) wrote:

>As many have said before - the 132' wire-fed doublet is the
>best overall, must versatile antenna you can erect.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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(408)356-8506 | fear is fear itself." - FDR | 16345
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CA 95032

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Martin Sole-3

Re: OT: G5RV antenna

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Made me laugh. I guess Reg had other designs :)

Martin, HS0ZED

On 09/12/2018 23:44, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote:

> Sorry, I said Reg, should have said Louis
> David G3UNA
>
>> On 09 December 2018 at 16:30 CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> In addition, Reg was designing in the era of valve output transmitters with built-in pi-tank matching system, so, it was possible to match on different bands. I'm sure mine worked across 80 to 10m in those days. For 80 to 10m these days I use a off-centre-fed dipole with hybrid choke/transformer at the feed point as designed by DJ0IP for minimum common mode current.
>> David G3UNA
>>
>>> On 08 December 2018 at 16:32 Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> As I've already stated … I have a copy of the original Varney
>>> RSGB article that describes the G5RV and plainly states that
>>> it's a 20M only antenna.
>>>
>>> Remember, it requires an antenna tuner …
>>>
>>> Start with a dipole …
>>>
>>> Keep the "magic" 32' length of 300 ohm feedline.
>>>
>>> Delete the 68' of coax.
>>>
>>> What's left? A "normal" open wire fed dipole, better
>>> known as a Zepp.
>>>
>>> 73!
>>>
>>> Ken Kopp - K0PP
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]