2005 KØS, Kurt N. Sterba Strange Antenna Challenge

Transmission Line Connections

Semi-Vertical Connections
This is a view of the semi-vertical feed point. The coax leads into the home-brew 1:1 current balun, the crossed chicken wire ground radials are connected to the shielding side of the coax, and the semi-vertical element is connected to the center conductor of the coax. Each of these connection points is held in place with a hose clamp pressing the chicken wire tightly against a plastic "dog bone" insulator. This is one of our most common connection methods.

Crossed Chicken Wire Ground Radials
This provides a pretty view of the crossing point of the chicken wire ground radials / ground plane.

Dog Bone Connection
This is a closer view of the dog bone connection with the semi-vertical's ground radial / ground plane chicken wire.

Another happy image of the 1:1 current balun and semi-vertical connections

Secure Your Rope!

No, Really, Secure Your Rope!
Just kidding actually. If you have enough rope to run around your tree half a dozen times, unless it is really windy or your antenna is pretty heavy, you won't even have to tie your rope off! (We did in this picture, but the close up just above this image shows how we secured the next antenna tie-off point -- yes, it stayed but all day.)

Grounding Grid for Station
This is a grip work of nine (9) grounding stakes. The idea is to provide the radio station a fairly low impedance ground path so as to reduce received noise.

Close Up - Grounding Stake for Station Ground Grid
The ubiquitous hose clamp strikes yet again! Of course, you can get a proper copper grounding lug for $5 or $6 if you prefer (get 9 of them).

Hope these pages give you some ideas and we get to hear you working your own strange antenna next year!

73, Erik n0ew

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