Re: KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment
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Re: KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment
 
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Sandy wrote:
>Is this stuff real flexible? I've been using some old "MIL SPEC" type #26 guage >hookup wire! Scott wrote: > I am looking for a vendor for the "#26 AWG Teflon coated, silver plated wire > that is often recommended on this list for portable KX1 antennas What is the advantage of this extremely thin wire for antenna use? No matter what it's made of, 26 AWG wire is pretty fragile stuff, especially for the frequent "put up then take down" cyclic use that is typical of portable antennas. I'd suggest the use of 14 AWG (!) Flexweave wire. I know 14 AWG seems gigantic compared to 26 AWG, but if you've never used Flexweave you can't know how *extremely* flexible and durable this stuff is. The 14 AWG version consists of 168 individual copper strands. I've played around with portable wire antennas for decades and when I finally found Flexweave I knew I'd found perfection. I've never had to repair any antenna I ever made from it, even after years of cyclic use. It coils up tightly for storage, resists kinking and fraying, and even 100 feet of it is lightweight and compact. My 66-foot 40m to 10m dipole takes up very little room in a pack. One vendor is http://www.thewireman.com/wire.html , item 542 or 544. There's a natural tendency to want super small antenna components to go with our similarly compact QRP rigs. IMHO, that is a grand mistake. I've *never* come across even one portable-use situation where the use of stuff like RG-174 coax or 26 AWG wire was appropriate compared, say, to RG-58 and Flexweave. 73, Mike / KK5F _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment
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I don't know about you, but when I was backpacking, every ounce and square
inch was very significant. Put a KX1 and a tiny roll of #26 wire into a backpack and it barely weighs anything or takes any room. 40', 50' or more of #14 wire, no matter how flexable does not compact as small as the same length of #26. Don't forget, we need an antenna AND counterpoise (or radials if you prefer). #14 won't wind up that small with that much wire if your backpacking, IMHO. Now... if you are not backpacking and only heading out the the local park, then #14 is great. And since the antenna wire is larger, might as well take along the K2 and have fun! Matt - K7OE -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Morrow Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 11:00 AM To: elecraft reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment Sandy wrote: >Is this stuff real flexible? I've been using some old "MIL SPEC" type #26 guage >hookup wire! Scott wrote: > I am looking for a vendor for the "#26 AWG Teflon coated, silver plated wire > that is often recommended on this list for portable KX1 antennas What is the advantage of this extremely thin wire for antenna use? No matter what it's made of, 26 AWG wire is pretty fragile stuff, especially for the frequent "put up then take down" cyclic use that is typical of portable antennas. I'd suggest the use of 14 AWG (!) Flexweave wire. I know 14 AWG seems gigantic compared to 26 AWG, but if you've never used Flexweave you can't know how *extremely* flexible and durable this stuff is. The 14 AWG version consists of 168 individual copper strands. I've played around with portable wire antennas for decades and when I finally found Flexweave I knew I'd found perfection. I've never had to repair any antenna I ever made from it, even after years of cyclic use. It coils up tightly for storage, resists kinking and fraying, and even 100 feet of it is lightweight and compact. My 66-foot 40m to 10m dipole takes up very little room in a pack. One vendor is http://www.thewireman.com/wire.html , item 542 or 544. There's a natural tendency to want super small antenna components to go with our similarly compact QRP rigs. IMHO, that is a grand mistake. I've *never* come across even one portable-use situation where the use of stuff like RG-174 coax or 26 AWG wire was appropriate compared, say, to RG-58 and Flexweave. 73, Mike / KK5F _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Mike Morrow-3
I've been near your neighborhood (Huntsville) and I remember lots of trees
for antenna supports, Mike. Most of my daypacking and even car camping is in the desert where a crappie pole is the highest thing around unless I can find a large boulder to secure to. Even #22 teflon and RG-316 or -174 causes the top to droop like there's a small mouth bass on the hook. Weight aloft is an important consideration in some cases. Sometimes I use a longer feedline so that I can take the shortest route to the ground, then along the ground to the rig instead of the shortest route to the rig. This often reduces the weight aloft, reducng the load on the crappie pole. Also, small teflon is not fragile at all if you take the strain on the covering and not the wire itself. I'm nervous with #26, but I have not had a failure with #22. It is remarkably strong and stretch-free stuff. Colorful too! I use yellow or red on ground radials to stand out where it is a trip hazard, and white or blue aloft to blend in for aesthetics. The other reason I like small teflon is that I just bunch it up instead of winding it, then roll a velcro strap around the wad. It doesn't tangle. It just springs apart when I unwrap the velcro. I treat radials the same way when the only thing I can put up is an end fed wire fastened to an uphill boulder. If you coil wire, rope or any other cordage, you have to uncoil it or you have a potential mess. I might add that these boulders are often the size of a house. My K1 ATU seems to take anything remotely resembling an antenna in stride. Eric KE6US www.ke6us.com -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Morrow Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 11:00 AM To: elecraft reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment There's a natural tendency to want super small antenna components to go with our similarly compact QRP rigs. IMHO, that is a grand mistake. I've *never* come across even one portable-use situation where the use of stuff like RG-174 coax or 26 AWG wire was appropriate compared, say, to RG-58 and Flexweave. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment
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In reply to this post by Mike Morrow-3
Matt wrote:
>... when I was backpacking, every ounce and square inch > was very significant. Having been on many several-day back pack trips over the past 30 years (mainly in the Arkansas Ozarks, not on Mount Everest), I'd say that is true to a point, but overstressed. Will an eight-ounce difference in carried weight call down disaster or cause even minor additional discomfort? Does anyone head to the boonies *for recreation* with that small of an endurance margin? I think that this "every ounce hurts" outlook is based much more on some sort of competition-oriented dogma rather than on experience with real problems from having a few extra ounces along on a typical trek. If it were that critical, then the HF ham gear should get ditched before the start. If HF gear is required as part of the fun, then one just puts out the slight extra effort and carries what will do the job. I also carry a small AM/FM/SW broadcast receiver and a 2M/70cm HT, both of which have priority over the HF QRP rig and antenna if something must get culled out. > 40', 50' or more of #14 wire, no matter how flexable does not >compact as small as the same length of #26. My trip-ready backpack easily also accomodates my rolled up 66 foot dipole complete with six PVC water pipe insulators and jumpers in each leg, plus nylon cord and some RG-58. > we need an antenna AND counterpoise (or radials if you prefer). The beauty of a dipole is that counterpoise/ground wire is NOT required or desirable. >Now... if you are not backpacking and only heading out the the local park, >then #14 is great Portable HF operations have always been my primary ham radio interest. Based on that, IMHO 14 AWG Flexweave works great for *any* outdoor activity requiring wire antennas. I would never consider using anything less now, having used less in earlier years. I'm surprised when anyone who has tried the Flexweave concludes differently. 73, Mike / KK5F _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment
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I picked up some very small wire which I have wound up and loaded into a
used 35mm film can... it is the very fine very flexible wire which I always carry along for 20 mtrs +. It tapes onto the strap of my rig strap and works very well. I will try the flex weave in the future, but let's not forget the benefit of small for the pinches we get into when the wire isn't easily attached and always carried along with the rig. Bill K2 #35 KX1 #35 Etc,.... -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Morrow Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 3:16 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX1 Antenna Wire - Portable antenna wire comment Matt wrote: >... when I was backpacking, every ounce and square inch > was very significant. Having been on many several-day back pack trips over the past 30 years (mainly in the Arkansas Ozarks, not on Mount Everest), I'd say that is true to a point, but overstressed. Will an eight-ounce difference in carried weight call down disaster or cause even minor additional discomfort? Does anyone head to the boonies *for recreation* with that small of an endurance margin? I think that this "every ounce hurts" outlook is based much more on some sort of competition-oriented dogma rather than on experience with real problems from having a few extra ounces along on a typical trek. If it were that critical, then the HF ham gear should get ditched before the start. If HF gear is required as part of the fun, then one just puts out the slight extra effort and carries what will do the job. I also carry a small AM/FM/SW broadcast receiver and a 2M/70cm HT, both of which have priority over the HF QRP rig and antenna if something must get culled out. > 40', 50' or more of #14 wire, no matter how flexable does not >compact as small as the same length of #26. My trip-ready backpack easily also accomodates my rolled up 66 foot dipole complete with six PVC water pipe insulators and jumpers in each leg, plus nylon cord and some RG-58. > we need an antenna AND counterpoise (or radials if you prefer). The beauty of a dipole is that counterpoise/ground wire is NOT required or desirable. >Now... if you are not backpacking and only heading out the the local park, >then #14 is great Portable HF operations have always been my primary ham radio interest. Based on that, IMHO 14 AWG Flexweave works great for *any* outdoor activity requiring wire antennas. I would never consider using anything less now, having used less in earlier years. I'm surprised when anyone who has tried the Flexweave concludes differently. 73, Mike / KK5F _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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