[Elecraft] Slightly OT: non-resonant wires

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Start with a sailboat sitting in salt water with the electrical system 
and masts bonded and tied to suitable grounding plates on the hull.  
This is all normal for most shipboard installations.     A random length 
of wire can be matched to effectively transfer RF from the transmitter.  
Precise length measurements are not necessary. Keep ground loss and 
other component loss to a minimum and one has a rather decent antenna.  
Thus one uses an insulated back stay on the vessel.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 2/9/2016 1:06 PM, 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