[Lowfer] Another Newbie

[Bill Ashlock]

Hi Vern,

Wellcome to Lowfer country!

Have a few answers to your questions.

>1. What is the correct formula for calculating radiation
>resistance for a top loaded vertical. Most calculations agree on >length 
>squared over wavelength squared, but the multiplcation
>factors I have seen range from 398 to 1450 to give Rrad
>in milliohms, which is it.

This depends on the location of the loading coil, which effects the current 
distribution over the length of the vertical portion. I'll have to check on 
the equation tonight.

>2. Top hat capacity loading, how long do the loading wires
>have to be with respect to mast height,

Longer the better, up the a 25ft radius.

>planning on about 40 feet of vertical mast with steep guy lines. The >top 
>three wires will form the
>capacity hat.

Not a good idea to use the top guy wires as the top hat. Their position 
actually folds the downward current back on the upward current of the pole 
reducing the effective height of the antenna.

>3. Has anyone had any luck with using residential drain spout as a vertical 
>antenna.

I sure have! Back in my early days of Lowfer experimentation I tried this. 
Real bad idea because the Q of the antenna (which must be >50) is almost 
totally destoyed due to all the losses from from damp wood, and other energy 
robbing objects. Are you aware that nearby trees, also have to be avoided 
because they lower the Q? I have only a tiny branch-free area on my property 
that is right above the roof, so afer a couple of disapointing years of 
Lowfering I switched to TX loop antennas.
>
>4. Elevated ground systems, antenna is going on the roof of
>the garage, it has more surface area then my back yard.

Should work OK. You can place a series of wires over the top of the roof to 
make a good gound system. Should work better than placing the wires under 
the roof because the field intensisty is quite large under the antenna and 
there would be losses in the wood and shingles.

>Reception; Have a 20 turn six foot loop in the attic, looking for
>information on signals below 200 khz that I can use to get a
>reference on loop performance. Have yet to hear a part 15
>lowfer signal.

Too close to the house wiring, house appliances, and computers. Need to get 
the loop > 30ft away from the house. Doesn't have to be elevated more than 
3ft.  BTW: few of us "Hear" Lowfer Part 15 signals. Most reception is via 
digital modes via a PC and slow tranmission of CW signals (typically 30-60 
second dot times)

Have fun!
>
Bill Ashlock
Beacon WA
Anodover, MA

_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com