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My Sloopers antennas for 80 and 160 meters

A presentation of a HF multi-band sloper antenna. This antenna project is for low band operations, and antenna presented in this article works on 40 80 and 160 meters band. Article is in Polish.

The NB6Zep Antenna, an electrically shortened 80-meter end-fed wire, addresses space constraints for low-band operation by integrating two loading coils into a 37-foot wire. This design, modeled with _EZNEC_, explores configurations like the quarter-wave sloper and inverted-L, with the latter providing a more vertical radiation pattern and practical backyard deployment. The resource details specific coil construction, recommending 21 uH coils made from _BW coil stock #3026_ or similar, and outlines wire segment lengths for optimal tuning. Performance analysis indicates a radiating efficiency of approximately 27% with good ground conductivity, resulting in a signal typically 3-4 dB down compared to a full-size quarter-wave vertical. The antenna exhibits a narrow bandwidth, around 50 kHz, due to its high Q, necessitating a tuner for broader band operation. Feedpoint impedance is low, with ground resistance playing a critical role in achieving a usable SWR. The article emphasizes the importance of an effective ground rod at the feedpoint for proper operation and tuning, suggesting an antenna analyzer for precise adjustments. It confirms the antenna's suitability for DX, citing successful contacts from Oregon to the East Coast and Hawaii on a 160-meter variant, making it a viable option for urban operators seeking low-angle radiation on 80 meters.

Operating in a Single Operator Two Radios (SO2R) setup, especially with beverage antennas, often exposes the receiving radio's front-end to significant RF energy from the transmitting radio. This resource details a practical, homebrew receiver protection circuit designed to mitigate this risk. The core of the design involves a non-inductive 2W 22 Ohm carbon composition resistor in series with the RX antenna line, followed by two stacks of four fast-switching diodes (e.g., _1N914_) configured in opposite polarizations. This arrangement effectively clamps the incoming voltage to approximately 2.8 V peak-to-peak, safeguarding sensitive receiver input components. The series resistor plays a crucial role by absorbing excess power, preventing the diodes from exceeding their current ratings and potentially failing open, which would leave the receiver unprotected. The author, _N4KG_, measured up to 50 watts of coupled power between 80M slopers on the same tower, highlighting the necessity of such protection. The design is presented as a cost-effective solution to prevent damage to receiver input transformers, with the author noting successful protection of a receiver even after a resistor showed signs of overheating. This simple circuit can be integrated via a transverter plug, offering a robust defense against high RF input.