[Elecraft] Oh Ye of Little Faith - Random Wire Ant. for K1

Wed Aug 21 01:41:01 2002

About 1987, I went to a hardware store near my home and bought a 100 foot
spool of stranded automotive hookup wire with black insulation.  I ran it
out of an upstairs bathroom window to a large pine tree.  I had about 10
feet left over, so I say I have a 90 foot random wire antenna.  I have used
it with both an MFJ Versa-Tuner II and an SGC-230 automatic antenna tuner.
I have used it with a Collins KWM-2, an ICOM-706, an MFJ QRP Cub, and with
my K2.  I have used it on 160 through 10 meters.  I routinely work Eastern
Europe, Western Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and
Canada.  I have also worked Africa, Russia and Hawaii.  The antenna is
absolutely invisible from the street.  Most of my neighbors do not even know
I am a ham.  I am *really* sold on random wire antennas!

Dan Allen
KB4ZVM
S/N 1757

----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Westover" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 11:49 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Oh Ye of Little Faith - Random Wire Ant. for K1

> Well, after much procrastination, I decided to try an
> antenna recommended by Wayne for my K1 (has a KAT1
> installed).  I ran a 35 foot wire straight from the BNC
> connector out the back, with about a 25 foot ground wire,
> also straight out the BNC connector.  With a quick ATU
> match, I proceeded to get several multi-state contacts while
> sitting on the grass in my backyard!  I guess when "The Man"
> says he optimized the KAT1 for such antennas, I guess I
> should have a little more faith.  From now on, forget about
> having to find all those trees in the right places for my
> dipole, and forget about that lossy feedline!  Amen,
> Brother!
>
> Well, I'm a convert!  Tomorrow (8/21/02) through Saturday
> (8/24/02), I'll be with my Boy Scout Troop on a Oregon
> Willamette River canoe trek, operating each night around
> 8:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (0300 UTC), first on 20m
> (14040 or so), then on 40m (7040 +- 5).  I'll be using my
> new "easy-to-set-up" antenna, and I hope to make some
> contacts with fellow K1 and K2 owners.
>
> And, thanks again, Wayne, for all you do to make amateur
> radio a great hobby!
>
> 73,
> Phil, WA7URV
> K1 #220
> K2 #2690
>
>
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