[Elecraft] Re: KAT100 with Ladder Line

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

No problem RC. You're right, you can probably use just about anything
non-conductive for the ladder line spacing. I've been toying with the idea
of using polycarbonate tubing for something really durable. I use Lexan, a
polycarbonate, to build enclosures for some of the Elecraft mini-modules.
(In fact, I've been prototyping an enclosure for my HexKey all afternoon). I
get the Lexan from Home Depot, but all the other plastic supplies from a
place called Tap Plastics ( http://www.tapplastics.com/ ). They sell
polycarbonate tubing which I think would make great spacers for open wire
feedline. 

I would like to build a long doublet with open wire feedline from insulated
14 of 12g wire. I think that using this polycarbonate tubing with a spacing
of around 6" would be ideal and very durable (and certainly usable for more
than QRP purposes). I just haven't yet figured out how to secure the wire to
the tubing yet. The plasti dip would probably be ok, but I need to explore
some other methods I think.

Good luck & 73,
Dave W8FGU

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert 'RC' Conley [mailto:rc.kc5wa at gmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 5:23 PM
> To: Dave Van Wallaghen
> Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: KAT100 with Ladder Line
> 
> Okay Dave thanks
> I saved all your information and it looks like I found something I can
> work on this winter. Just about anything can be used to build the open
> wire feeders and If your using the KAT2 a tuner would not be needed
> but without a KAT2 a manual tuning "Z" match would do the job. It
> looks like it will be fun to work with..
> RC kc5wa
> 
> 
> On Nov 16, 2007 4:05 PM, Dave Van Wallaghen <w8fgu at comcast.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > The only question left is What is "Plastic Dip". Tthis is something
> > > I've never heard of.
> > > I have a lot of in formation on the "Z" match. A kit is available from
> > > <http://www.qrpkits.com/norcal_blt.htm> Doug Kendricks
> > >
> >
> > I got it at Home Depot as well. The can I have is called "Plasti Dip" it
> is
> > made by a company called Perfomix.
> >
> > It is a multi-purpose rubber coating. I've seen it used in the past to
> put
> > new rubber handles on tools as they became worn off. It is pretty
> flammable
> > and vaporous. It sets up in about 30 minutes - allow 4 hours until use.
> It
> > comes in a few different colors also.
> >
> > I don't see a price on the can I have - I want to say it was 4 or 5
> bucks
> > for a 15oz can. I did over 50 feet of feedline with around a half a can.
> >
> > 73,
> > Dave W8FGU
> >
> >