On 2025-07-21 2:08 PM, Ed Cole via Elecraft wrote:
Now thinking to convert an old copper-clad steel-wire 80/40m fan
dipole to a G5RV and use some 450-ohm open ladder line for the feed.
(Forgot I had that when making the 80m FD).
I would recommend against shortening the 80m element. You can certainly
convert to open wire/window line all the way to the tuner or to a balun
on the outside wall of the shack but don't shorten the element as the
feed impedance and efficiency drop rather quickly on 80 meters.
If you must do a G5RV type antenna make it double size (204 feet with
68 ft window line). It will be much more efficient on 80 and easier
to match on 40/30 meters.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2025-07-21 2:08 PM, Ed Cole via Elecraft wrote:
I made an 80m folded dipole using 450-ohm window wire (with 16ga
single-conductor copper). Wind whipped it so much the wire broke inside
the insulation in five places.
I replaced one side and the approx 30-foot window wire feed line and
repaired a couple breaks in the other side. I found window wire with
multi-conductor wire from DX-Engineering which I hope survives better.
I use a DX-Engineering 4:1 Balun at ground end of feed for approx 120-
foot RG-213 coax to KAPA100/KATU100 driven by my K3/10 (also have a
KX3). 1200w W6PQL HF/6M amplifier to be built this year.
Now thinking to convert an old copper-clad steel-wire 80/40m fan dipole
to a G5RV and use some 450-ohm open ladder line for the feed. (Forgot I
had that when making the 80m FD).
73, Ed - KL7UW
https://www.kl7uw.com
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