[Elecraft] EH Antenna Patent

[Larry Weaver]

At 08:06 AM 2/26/2003, you wrote:
>Larry Weaver wrote:
>
>I think the exaggerated claims for the e-h antenna and the Miracle Whip come
>from the same source:  if a very short antenna is tested with a longish 
>feedline
>without taking precautions to prevent feedline radiation (a choke balun), then
>the feedline may accept and radiate more power than the antenna.  Obviously a
>30-foot feedline in the right place can be an excellent 20 or 40 meter 
>antenna.

The message that got sent was an earlier version. I must have been asleep. 
:^) In the lost version, I took out specifically naming Miracle Whip 
because it only represents one of many. I have no reason to knock Miracle 
Whip; it is just an example.

Since I did, it attaches directly to the back of the FT817--no feedline. I 
agree with you when there is a feedline involved. I picked the Miracle Whip 
for comment because HF Pack had measurements with and without a ground. 
Essentially, the MIracle Whip is the equivalent of the rubber duck on HTs 
where adding a counterpoise also improves the radiated signal. The 
arguments will go on because as several people have pointed out, 
comparisons are so difficult to control-- particularly on HF. I think HF 
Pack did one of the best jobs by using good, calibrated equipment and a 
setup that seems to reduce variability.

Field strength is the best performance measure but is seldom available. The 
web page for MIracle Whip, like others, states performance as "remarkable" 
and refers to testimonials. Testimonials speak more about the miracle of HF 
propagation than any antenna. I've made contacts hundreds of miles away on 
160 meters using an 80 meter dipole fed with RG58 that, unbeknownst to me, 
was laying on the ground.. Working any European country from the east coast 
and Hawaii from the west coast on 10 meters is not necessarily remarkable 
no matter what the antenna.

Ernest Hemingway said everyone needed a built-in, shock-resistant BS 
detector. Until Elecraft comes up with a kit for one, becoming familiar 
with antenna principles by reading the ARRL Antenna Handbook, L. Moxon's 
book "HF Antennas for All Locations," and browsing W4RNL's 
website   http://www.cebik.com/radio.html  especially the series done for 
"Low Down" linked at the bottom of the page will help.

73...Larry N6TW