[Antennas] question regarding dipole

[John Patterson]

Hi, Joe--

It sounds like you want to feed a RESONANT antenna. As you may know,
non-resonant antennas can also be quite effective, when fed with a
transmatch. The advantage is being able to fit a (shortened) dipole in your
available space.

But if you want to drive a resonant antenna, there is a way to accomplish
your goal, using something similar to your basic idea of continuously
loading a 40M wire dipole   I first saw this particular technique described
by K6BJ in an old magazine called "Western Radio Amateur", December '59
issue! It was later republished by W6AAQ in "HF MOBILEERING". Both articles
were about verticals, but this technique could also be used for each leg of
a dipole.

Basically, you run the wire for about 12", then fold it back for 4", then
another 12", then back 4", over and over, until you achieve resonance. There
should be 2-3" between any adjacent conductors. According to the article,
your dipole would wind up being about 2/3 it's normal length, or about 45'
end-to end.

The only formula was for the amount of wire required -- 1/2 wavelength times
1.33.

I don't want to repeat the entire article here, but if you're interested, I
can fax you a copy.

73 & GL.........................John, K9OF