Have some fun 😉 ...
Have some fun 😉 ...
1) If someone has a vertical space problem, is there any unusual sacrifice to building a circular AM antenna. I don't mean a true loop antenna ... more like a hula-hoop with a wire inside, cut apart with one feed end. Or better yet (if affordable) 3/4" copper tubing bent in a 3' diameter circle (which should come out to about the 3m limit) with one end to the TX and the other capped, separated by a few inches. You could even put a loading coil.
Would that work on, say, an apartment balcony? Be really cool if it was on the top floor. Shine it up and hang a flower pot in the middle. Hide TX and wires in a planter box ... it would look like a decoration ... no one would suspect it's a radio station.
2) What would happen if you put a TX inside a loading coil? Just curious. What would it do ... blow up?
3) How about a large (well, 10') mobile telescopic antenna. Three sections of 3' tubing @ 1", 3/4", 1/2" ... bottom and center section slotted like the SSTRAN antenna, with hose clamps. Build a support mount that attaches to an average SUV/Crossover roof rack. You could have it up and running in a few minutes. Karaoke Ferry Line Interruptus! Anyone interested could just walk over and be on the air 😉
Ken,
Regarding #1, you might be interested in searching for a DDRR antenna. I doubt it would tune correctly with your dimensions on the BCB but it is still an interesting antenna. I have read that they are used on ship decks for short wave communications.
Neil
Yes, thanks, I read much of what I could find on the internet when DDRR antennas were brought up awhile back, and again at your suggestion. It looks to me like it just won't work within legal limits, depending on interpretation and which section of Part 15 cited.
The most interesting part is that the design is laid out in the horizontal plane, yet propagates vertically. How on Earth can that work?
I still want to try a large 3' diameter fractal antenna, but we're talking about a large amount of expense and fabrication time. If I had a complete shop and plenty of time on my hands .... well ...