[Elecraft] KAT 500 and open wire

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

I didn't measure significant increase in loss with clean water i.e. tap 
water sprayed on the entire length of the line from a hose.  I did make 
a solution of dish washing detergent and water and , using a spray 
bottle, sprayed that on the line.  This caused much more water to cling 
to the line.   While the loss did not appreciably increase, I did notice 
the electrical length of the line changed a measurable amount.   
Measurements were made such that the line was operating at its 
characteristic impedance.  The source was the tracking generator in my 
Spectrum Analyzer, sweeping 1 MHz to 50 MHz.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 1/18/2019 11:56 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> On Jan 18, 2019, at 6:08 PM, Al Lorona <alorona at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>
>> Thing 1 is that, clearly, water really messes up window line's loss. However, I'm guessing that a/ in a place like southern California, where perpetual drought is the new normal; ...
> Clean water isn’t a problem. Dirty water is a big problem.
>
> When I first moved to the SF Bay area in the early 1980s, I was surprised by the number of power outages, compared to where I grew up in Louisiana with heavy weather. The first light rain would be accompanied by outages. With six or more rainless summer months, dust and grit would accumulate on the power line insulators. The first light rain would create conductive mud and trip breakers. So perpetual drought is just a way to build up more dust on the line.
>
> I think we take coaxial cable for granted. It was a brilliant invention and a real gift to people who love radio. Maybe I’ll start celebrating December 8th as Coaxial Cable Day.
>
> https://www.wired.com/2009/12/1208coaxial-cable-patent/
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>
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