[Lowfer] LowFER Grabber and Converter

[JD]

"...money and space aren't the problem, building a decent antenna for 
LowFER, THAT'S my problem...  I don't have equipment to test it, and 
wouldn't know how to model it."

That's the beauty of a LowFER antenna.  If you have sufficient clear, 
unobstructed space to put up a simple top-loaded  vertical, you don't need a 
lot of equipment, and you definitely don't need to do any modeling in order 
to have an efficient radiator.  An everyday Radio Shack DVM can do a good 
enough job of determining the antenna's capacitance to ground to enable you 
to calculate the necessary loading coil inductance.  Once you know that, 
there are plenty of Web-based calculators that will enable you to wind a 
suitable coil, not to mention plenty of variometer designs to make the 
inductor adjustable.  So far as tuning the finished result, the classic 
yardstick with a string of NE-2 bulbs is still quite adequate for a relative 
signal strength indication.

That part of LowFERing does not require high-tech for good results. :)

John