[Antennas] Balanced line construction

[Chris BONDE]

I have made my own.  I think that it is working fairly well.  It is the antenna that does 
not want to work on all bands.

I had multi strand insulated (house?) wire.  I stretched two pieces parallel straight 
and down the driveway for about 2 days.  I was fortunately that there was a sale on 
plastic electric conduit.  I cut the conduit into 3 in length, made a jig to hold the short 
pieces (out of wood) then drilled holes in the ends.  The jig and the drill press 
ensured that the holes were in the same distance from the end and were parallel to 
each other.  I then slipped the pieces on to the two stretched wires.  I first tried a 
solder gun to melt the plastic so the the conduit would not slip but ended up using a 
hot glue gun.  The pieces were separated apart by a measuring stick 1 meter long 
with a "V" in one end and a half "V" in the other (For ease of removal.)  The conduit 
was snugged up against the measuring stick, hot glue applied then on to the next 
one.  The wires were still in the stretching thinga ma jig.

It makes great balanced line.

Someone suggested using pieces cut from vinyl siding.  cut the piece twice the 
width, fold, drill hole in each end, make a cut from the end to the hole.  Then slide 
the separator folded over the wires.  The piece then trys to flatten out again.  This 
little stress should hold the separator on the wire.  Have not tried this way.  I would 
want to test it to see if the separator would move.

It was great fun making it.  I plan on doing something again.

Chris opr VE7HCB  

From:           	KG4FET@aol.com
To:             	antennas@mailman.qth.net
Subject:        	[Antennas] Balanced line construction
Date sent:      	Sat, 31 Jan 2004 15:00:05 EST

I have been unable to locate much info on the construction of balance
line and was wondering if maybe some of you have a link or two you
wouldn't mind passing on.  I want to "roll my own" because I have so
much scrap wire and so little funds that building may be more of a
pain then buying but it's the satisfaction of knowing you did it
yourself, even in something as small as balanced line that gives a
certain amount of satisfaction.  I also need to find a site or some
help in determining impedance of stuff I already have on hand. Thanks
to all who do reply, God Bless de KG4FET Sandor