Off-Center Windom

[Sonwatcher]

I made this one-

http://www.w8ji.com/windom_off_center_fed.htm

137 ft. I found by watching my field strength meter that the coax was radiating so I made a Balun using a 3 litre soda bottle and wound around 21 ft of coax around it and it is totally gone ! http://www.hamuniverse.com/balun.html

I made the antenna out of clothes line . I bought 2 100ft rolls at $3.00 a roll. The speaker wire binding post was just under $3.00. So I have around $9.00 in the antenna. I use it for 80 and 40 meters and it works excellent ! My tuner tunes my aluminum groundplane for 20 meters and up . I have it going out of my attic to a tree which I tied a piece of cloth line and a big steel nut that I used to throw up in the tree branches. The ground side of the antenna is in the attic. That way the coax drops out of the attic vent down to my radio room window.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I used clothesline wire for antennas before as well. i used the bronze wire with the clear vinyl covering as it was easier to solder to and makes for a better conductor.A bit heavy but almost guarenteed not to break under ice load.

BTW does this mean you won't be using the 80m rotatable array anymore?

 

[Sonwatcher]

BTW does this mean you won't be using the 80m rotatable array anymore?

10-4 !

I've got a thunderstorm going over right now Garth but if you're around a little later we could give it a try once it passes over if you want ? 80 or 40 is best for you ?

 

[W5LZ]

Sonwatcher,
I didn't plan on commenting about a Windom antenna but after hearing how you've installed it, Maybe I will.
Don't misunderstand, they do work, and if you 'play' with them enough to get the 'compromises' as 'close' as you can, they will work pretty well on more than the design frequency (other bands except the WARCs). The 'problem' with a Windom is that it does take some time and effort to get things just 'right'. And, they are "RF'y" things, they can/do cause RFI. About the only way to reduce that possible RFI is 'distance', and a very good ground system. Having part of the antenna in your attic may not be the wisest choice. You'll know fairly quickly if it's objectionable.
Once upon a time, long, long ago, I used a Windom (and a Swan 500) until I had to stop. You wouldn't believe the problems, not just with RFI, but keeping the @#$ Swan on frequency! (That's why they put a two speed knob on the things, you know, drifting. )
I really hope it works out for you.
- 'Doc

BUT, if you plan to get rid of that 80m rotatable array... I know where you could send it!

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Doc, you do know what Ron's 80m rotatable array actually is don't you?

 

[W5LZ]

... Aahh, no. But it doesn't matter a whole lot, I'll take almost anything that's free. Don't much care for shipping charges though... and I don't plan on feeding anything!
- 'Doc

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Do you want to tell him Ron or shall I?

Ok I will. Ron,Fast Eddy and I were in the chat room one day trying to line up a QSO on 40 or 80m and I asked Ron what he was using on 80m. He replied that he was using a pair of 80m Hamsticks configured as a rotatable dipole and I stated that I wished I had an 80m rotatable array like his. You had to be there at the time to fully appreciate it.

 

[Sonwatcher]

You had to be there at the time to fully appreciate it.

LOL !

Doc,
I have to say I have been very fortunate with the Windom. The only problem I had with RFI is what took place before I made the Balun. Since then it has worked great and no problems. I only use it for 80 and 40 meters. I tried it for 20 but it didn't want to tune down like the other 2 bands. And I didn't want to mess with it as my groundplane tunes 20 very nicely. I have had great reports on 80 and 40 with the wire.