[Elecraft] Feeding a Random length wire with the KAT2 ATU

[Dave Gingrich K9DC]

On Wednesday, Apr 2, 2003, at 11:11 EST, Leonard, David wrote:

> Hey Fellow K2ers
>
> I am portable down here in the "wilds" of Tennessee. I have a 
> Buddipole that
> covers 40 meters and higher bands.
> I would like to put up a random length wire antenna to see if 80 meters
> might work better to sked back into Chicago at night.
>
> Does anybody have experience with random wire antennas and the KAT2?

Works great...  In fact that is really what the KAT tuners were 
designed to use.  How long of a wire?  Doesn't really matter that much, 
but non-resonant lengths tend to work better. 85 feet is good length to 
start with, but if that is too long, shorten it.  You'll also need a 
ground of some type. A single wire of significant length laying on the 
ground will work well, more will work better.

Remember, the longer and higher the better, but try anything you can 
muster. You may be pleasantly surprised.  I traveled to Korea 
(HL2/K9DC) last year with my K2/KAT2. Lashed up an 85 foot wire out a 
second floor window to a tree, plus about a 60 foot ground wire.  
Managed to work a friend here in Indiana on both CW and SSB 10 watts, 
and Argentina on PSK running about 6 watts.

> Any special "tricks"?

Master the TUNE button.

> I am in an apartment on the ground floor and all we have around here 
> are
> "saplings" (about 12' tall 8-(
>
> Any suggestions? (No I can't move 8-)

But perhaps you can move the radio, maybe temporarily to a park or 
something.

===========================
Dave Gingrich, K9DC
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
===========================