End-fed longwire antennas

These end-fed antennas are quite popular, but a 9:1 transformer is usually needed to bring the impedance down to levels that a typical rig's ATU can match. Often less than 3:1 VSWR can be obtained on all HF bands with such a transformer, so a rig's internal ATU can usually bring this down to 1:1.

See https://pa3i.jouwweb.nl/antenne

Warm sunshine and G3XBM up a tree

Today the sun has been shining and it's quite warm so I've been up the neighbour's tree lopping branches so that they don't obstruct the light. It is a field maple and it grows so fast. I took down branches about 4 metres long and these have grown in the last 3-4years. There is also a method in my madness: there's a sturdy branch just the right height to act as a support for the end of my longwire. It's twice as high as the original on the clothes line support. So, when the job is done I'll string out some black PVC covered wire. Also, for the first time this year I managed a cup of tea on the patio: maybe spring really is almost here at long last.