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   Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: (tk@bbs.kawa-kun.com)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 06:26:00 JST Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem:
   Still not having much luck here. I shortened the dipole to try to cover the 2m band and did get more stuff coming in, but it was all noise. :blobfoxsad:
   
   I can't realistically make the ladder line fully vertical due to space constraints. Maybe I just need to build a monopole instead? The balcony railing might make a good ground plane. :blobfoxthinkgoogly:
   
   Or do folks think an external antenna tuner would be worthwhile here? :blobfoxthink:
   
   #AmateurRadio #HamRadio
   • Embed this notice
     Piggo :verified_horse: (piggo@piggo.space)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 06:30:31 JST Piggo :verified_horse:

     in reply to
     @tk for 2m you shouldn't need anything crazy? like there are operators with just a handheld radio
     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: likes this.
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     Dianora (Diane Bruce) (dianora@ottawa.place)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 07:03:19 JST Dianora (Diane Bruce)

     in reply to

     @tk 1. feedline does not have to be completely at right angles. 2. typically openwire or ladder line is mostly used at HF not a VHF although a few VHF/UHF moonbounce (EME) stations have used it. Use a good quality coax. 3. Impedance of ladder line can be quite a bit higher than 50ohm but a tuner is not suggested. If you must use a 300ohm <-> 50 ohm balun. 4. tough location as you are hemmed in quite a bit. Look up J pole you can make one with 300 ohm twinlead. Hang it as high as you can. 73 de va3db

     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: likes this.
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     Diane Bruce VA3DB (va3db@mastodon.radio)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 07:04:53 JST Diane Bruce VA3DB

     in reply to

     @tk This is my amateur radio related instance. I tend to use the other one I replied from for philosophy, baking, politics etc. etc. 73 again!

     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: likes this.
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     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: (tk@bbs.kawa-kun.com)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 07:09:13 JST Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem:

     in reply to

     • Dianora (Diane Bruce)
     @Dianora Thanks. I'm using DX Engineering coax that has a 10 gauge inner conductor, and the G5rv antenna pictured have came with the correct balun to connect 50 ohm coax, so I think those can probably be ruled out.
     
     J-pole is one of the next things I plan on trying. :blobfoxthumbsup: Just need put together more coax to get to where it'd need to be mounted and acquire some appropriate connectors. (The latter should enable easy construction of a monopole as well, as I have all of the other necessary supplies for it handy. :blobfox: )
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     Dianora (Diane Bruce) (dianora@ottawa.place)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 07:11:58 JST Dianora (Diane Bruce)

     in reply to

     @tk I am not a fan of the G5RV. It's a 20 m gain antenna that happens to be tunable on some other HF bands but performs badly. I'd cut the coax right off and use it for a separate 2m J pole or something. Use a tuner for the remaining openwire feeder and it will tune all HF a lot better than the G5! J pole will perform much better on 2m than the G5RV.

     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: likes this.
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     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: (tk@bbs.kawa-kun.com)'s status on Tuesday, 01-Apr-2025 07:19:53 JST Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem:

     in reply to
     Guess I'm building my own antenna. Thank goodness I know how to solder! :blobfoxgoogly:
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     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: (tk@bbs.kawa-kun.com)'s status on Wednesday, 02-Apr-2025 04:36:35 JST Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem:

     in reply to

     • purple 👊✊💨

     Specifically, this antenna. :blobfoxgooglymlem:

     Like @purple said, twin-lead TV antenna wire is really hard to find now. I remember getting it on Amazon only a few years back! :blobfoxgooglycry:

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     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: (tk@bbs.kawa-kun.com)'s status on Wednesday, 02-Apr-2025 04:53:31 JST Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem:

     in reply to

     • purple 👊✊💨
     • I am Water
     @SlicerDicer @purple Yep, that's where I had to order it from.
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     I am Water (slicerdicer@friedcheese.us)'s status on Wednesday, 02-Apr-2025 04:53:32 JST I am Water

     in reply to

     • purple 👊✊💨
     @tk @purple eBay?
     Doughnut Lollipop 【記録係】:blobfoxgooglymlem: likes this.