[Elecraft] Slightly OT: non-resonant wires

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

I don't believe there are magic lengths.

There are however lengths that are decidely non-magical, and if you want 
something that works on 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10, there are many 
lengths that are non-magical.

That's why I did not ask "what is a good length?"  There is a pretty 
good reference here: http://udel.edu/~mm/ham/randomWire/

Short of buying a 100 foot tape (or a longer one), what methods do 
people use to reasonably accurately measure 53 feet (or 72 feet, or 136 
feet)?

Thanks -- Lynn

On 2/9/2016 11:06 AM, Barry N1EU wrote:
> I think the only important measurement is that it avoids being near a half
> wavelength on any bands.  Are there really "magic" lengths to be used with
> 9:1 xfmr into a tuner?  I'm skeptical.
>
> 73, Barry N1EU
>
> On Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 1:50 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <
> KX3 at coldrockshotbrooms.com> wrote:
>
>> Only a bit off-topic, since I have a KX3 w/tuner and a 9:1 balun to go
>> with it.
>>
>> I know how to trim a resonant antenna to the correct final length. I also
>> understand why truly "random" wires don't necessarily work.
>>
>> The recent post about shipboard operations near Antarctica said they're
>> using a 53' wire.
>>
>> How do you guys measure an antenna like this?  I assume it can be a few
>> inches off, but....
>>
>> 73 -- Lynn
>>