[Elecraft] Skunks and Antennas (WAS:] WA3WSJ's EPA Skunk Works Site - Check it out!)

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Walt KE7GWZ wrote:

On topic, I haven't made or put up any antennas yet.  :)  I imagine when I
do I'll have some stinkers as well.  I'm thinking about a dipole running the
ridge of my house.  I could hit a half-wave for 40 meters. Then there are
those really tall fir trees in the front yard...

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Both of those will work. Feed that 66 foot wire with good open wire line and
you can get out well on 80 too. 

I always go for the option that puts the radiator as much in the clear and
away from objects as possible. Some cheap balloons from the party supply
will get a wire into those trees - just use two people, one on either side
of the tree on a calm morning until it's over the best spot, then one person
pulls down while the other plays out very lightweight thread, followed by
heavier thread, followed by string, followed by rope...

Fitting the subject, I do antenna work only in the daytimes here on the edge
of the Gayles Creek wetlands in Forest Grove, Oregon, ever since the night I
was out stringing some wire and stepped over a cat roaming the yard. A few
minutes later I got a better look a the "cat" from the ladder and saw the
stripes. Glad I didn't startle it. I keep the garage door closed at night
too. The fastest way to ruin a morning is to start the car and scare a pole
cat snoozing under it, keeping warm.  

Ron AC7AC