End Fed 1/2 wave antenna

[HomerBB]

Because it was cold. And I was sick, and couldn't go outdoors for several days, and having some really odds and ends of things, I cooked up this ridiculous antenna in the garage that has tuned out quite well as an EFHW:

It is made of PVC fittings, a piece of 3/4" EMT, a fisshing pole with wire in it, a 3/4" x 4' wood Dowel, some wire that makes up a cage as part of the radiator ( I wondered how it might affect bandwidth), and the GP radial set I have had laying around.

The entire thing is 17' long from about 16" below the GP radials to the tip of the fishing pole wire. It is sitting at 26' currently. It held its own talking to Brazil and Colombia with the 5/8 @ 33' FP, and the Merlin @ 36' FP this afternoon.

 

[W5LZ]

I think the 'trick' is all in that cellulose based, variable spacing, impedance modifying device visible in the first picture. Oh wait, I see you have two of them. Twice as good, right?
- 'Doc

 

[HomerBB]

To tell you the truth, Doc, I just don't know.
Locked in, bored, and limited for materials at the moment, I just started playing and this came out.

 

[RADIOOMAN]

Greetings Homer
Love what you do with the antennas.
I was wondering about this endfed with the cage.
Are you using the 'standard issue' impedance matching network?
Tank circuit or 1/4 wave, whichever you prefer to call it?

 

[HomerBB]

I'm using a capacitor/inductor parallel to each other.

One similar to this, but smaller and a little neater:

I did not realize I didn't have a photo of it.

 

[RADIOOMAN]

Thanks for the reply.
And it answers my question perfectly.
That is an excellent picture.

 

[HomerBB]

What is is made of: