[Elecraft] Antenna Quandary

[Ed Cole]

Unbelievable answers (really).

If someone asked if anyone was knowledgeable about contesting or say 
eme, would you just answer yes or no? Or would you offer assistance to 
the questioner?

My first ham antenna was a folded dipole for 40m.  It was described in 
my first ARRL Handbook as there were no nearby hams to ask and in 1958 
there was no internet.  TV twinlead was locally available so was easier 
to make than one requiring coax.  I soldered a PL-259 directly the 
twinlead feedline and connected to my DX-35  (which loaded it FB even 
with high SWR that, at age 14, I was unaware of).

For HF half-wave, center-fed, dipoles have been my favorite.  Currently 
have a 80/40M inverted-V (fan-style).  Wire lengths slightly longer for 
resonance than for horizontal dipole.  Cut slightly longer than formula 
(492/F) and trim until SWR matched.  I have ends supported with nylon 
cord over pulleys to lower for cutting.

73, Ed - KL7UW