[Elecraft] ridge vent as antenna?

[Vic K2VCO]

Raymond Albers wrote:

> I have mounted an ATU in the attic and attached a 1:1 balun directly
> to it, with about 25 ft of wire going out from each side - in other
> words, a non-resonant dipole - all inside the attic. It loads OK on
> all bands 80 thru 10 and I've made several decent contacts with it.

This antenna will work better without the balun in this position.  The 
impedance of the antenna varies all over the map and the balun will be 
ineffective on some bands, and lossy on others.  It will probably be 
helpful on 30 meters!

> I am contemplating using the ridge vent as part of the antenna: I
> could position the ATU at one end of the attic, connect one side to
> the ridge vent and the other side to a stealth wire that I could run
> to a low tree or maybe the peak of the garage roof.

As someone else pointed out, you will have to ensure continuity between 
the various pieces that make up the vent.  On bands where voltage loops 
appear on the vent, wet weather will seriously detune it and increase 
losses.  Ron's suggestion of making a doublet with part outside and part 
inside the attic seems to me the best choice.  No. 22 or 24 enamelled 
wire is probably small enough to be invisible at a distance.  Do not use 
a balun at the feedpoint, however.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco