[Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

[Holger Schurig]

Fred Jensen <k6dgw at foothill.net> writes:

> How long is the wire?
> What band?

Who knowns?  I'm not asking for a *specific* optimization, I'm asking
for a general rule of thumb.

I'm not talking about a permanent installation, I'm talking about going
to some field, or hill. I don't know the band in advance, I don't know
the propagation conditions. And I have several lengths of wire with me,
I can adjust the wire length. And given the circumstances of the
location, even the layout of my wire (only on fiber glass post, between
tree and fiber glass post, etc) will change (e.g. sloper, vertical,
etc). Even the high will be undefined and/or changeable.

That is actually to fun (for me): to change things and try out.

But then arises the question: if I change this or that ... how can I
find out what setting is "good" or maybe even "best". Assuming I have
only the things with me that I normally have with me when I'm in the
field: KX3 and laptop.

The most easy thing to change (because it's often near the bottom) is
the UNUN tap I'm using. And I can check the LC-setting in the ATU.

And now I would like to know if there is a method --- in the field ---
where I can optimize wire and tap. And if a low inductance of the ATU
could be measure for it. And if this is true in both setings (the
inducator can be at the antenna side or at the radio side).


So either this question has never been solved amongst the readers here
... or I'm completely on the wrong track and shouldn't care at all what
the ATU finds as a match.



So far Ron's answer come the farthest in answering the question, he
optimizes for a high impedance. Then I should go for the highest
impedance and select 1:16, should I?


73,
Holger DHSHS