[Lowfer] Need ideas on a quick, and cheap HI-fer TX system

[JD]

Andy,

Since some of the most active HiFERs (and HiFER monitors) regularly inhabit 
the LW Message Board ( http://lwca.org/mb/ ) I have forwarded your message 
there.  You might want to use the search feature to look up some past 
threads on this same subject, where you'll find a lot of good information 
from Pat Bunn, Paul K6FRC, and the other guys.

>>> Definitely want frequency stability.. as little drifting as possible, 
>>> because I would like to join the gang at 13,555.55 MHz and not drift on 
>>> top of someone.. >>>

This is an admirable goal, which I wish were more common (the drifty signal 
you captured earlier is a prime reason why).  It would not be compatible 
with putting the TX at the center of a dipole, however, and there's no real 
need to do that anyway.

Unlike other Part 15 alternative provisions, the limit at 22 m is on 
radiated field strength, not on power and antenna length.  Transmission line 
is not a big deal here; you simply take its loss into account in the 
engineering calculations to determine your power, along with compensating 
for antenna gain.  Locate the transmitter in a temperature controlled 
environment for stability, and simply make sure the output cannot exceed the 
radiated limit, however you choose to get power to the antenna.  As for the 
antenna, a dipole works but needlessly limits your coverage in some 
directions.  As you'll notice in messages about beacon FRC, there are 
effective ways of making simple verticals work inexpensively.

John