[Elecraft] Random Wire???

[Steve Lawrence]

In Alan Chester's (G3CCB) (SK) article "Taming the End-Fed Antenna" (page 
118 of the "Antenna File" published by RSGB) Mr. Chester rationalized that 
there might be some impedance friendly length of wire usable for an 
end-fed antenna that doesn't present a tough to tune, high impedance load 
on several bands.  The "undesirable" length being on/near 1/2 wavelength 
or multiple thereof on the desired operating frequency.  He concludes a 
length of 1/8 - 3/8 or 5/8 - 7/8 wavelength (or multiples thereof) 
represents the desirable targets to reduce impedance and therefore 
improves the ease of devising a suitable match.

Mr. Chester proceeds to plot the length of wire, staying way from the 3/8 
- 5/8 wavelengths (or multiples thereof) for the bands from 160M - 10M. 
The resulting plot is examined for lengths that fall in the "desirable" 
range for as many bands possible.

From these plots, he looks at several end-fed wire lengths:  26.5m, 15.0m, 
and 10.0m.  Conclusion?  The 26.5m wire appears suitable for 160 - 10M; 
the 15.0m length for 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10M;  and the 10.0m 
length for 80, 40, 30, 17, 15, 12, and 10M.

While I don't (yet) have experience with these results, the 
rationalization appears sound.  I'm planning to conduct some experiments 
this spring!

Steve
AA8AF