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Gordon Wedman
 
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Default SSB Antenna connection

PS: As to the second part of your question. There have been very long
'discussions' on this group about antennas and grounds. Mostly name calling
and opinions with very few facts. I don't wish to start another one.


Well I think most of the arguments and name calling revolved around proper
methods to get an "good" RF ground.
I don't think there is much argument that you need foil for the RF ground
and something like GTO15 for the antenna connection. As to why you need 2
inch wide foil for the ground lead when circular wire works for the antenna
connection, I think that is a basic physics question that someone probably
can answer.

It is possible to get spark plug wire with wire core. Racers do not like
the carbon resistance wire and they don't care about noise on their radios.
I would agree that some extra cover over top of the spark plug wire is
probably a good idea although high quality silicone wire is pretty tough.

"Rusty O" wrote in message
ink.net...
GTO-15 wire's full name is "Gas Tube Sign and Ignition Cable". It's rated
for 15,000 volts and has a stranded copper 14 gauge (4110 circular mils)
core. It is single conductor, not coax. There are 19 very fine strands if
wire, a layer of high voltage insulation, and an outer covering of

sunlight
resistant PVC. It's used for the high voltage portion of neon signs and

for
oil burner ignition cable. It also happens to work very well for

connecting
an antenna tuner to an insulated backstay.

Spark plug wire has a much lighter duty core and is often not sunlight
resistant. Most spark plug wires don't even have a metal wire core. They

use
a resistance material to suppress RF noise. The resistance is usually
anywhere from 1000 to 4000 ohms per foot. You wouldn't want to use this

for
antenna lead wire.

Ancor Marine Grade Products sells a 25 foot (7.62 meter) spool of GTO-15

as
part number 150102. If your local marine supplier doesn't carry GTO-15

wire
then check with a neon sign supply house.

Rusty O

PS: As to the second part of your question. There have been very long
'discussions' on this group about antennas and grounds. Mostly name

calling
and opinions with very few facts. I don't wish to start another one.