I have recently been considering a number of antenna options for portable operating - something I seem to spend a lot of time doing since getting the ‘portable’ bug earlier this year.
From an article titled ‘My Top Five Backyard Multi-Band Wire HF Antennas’ by L. B. Cebik (W4RNL) I have selected the ‘broadside doublet’ as my next little project. Being a balanced antenna and requiring a balanced feed line I have also been exploring suitable antenna matching units and have decided that an old Z-match design should work well.
With that in mind I found an ad for an old SEM Transmatch unit and called the seller to do a deal. To my surprise he told me he’d send me the unit immediately and suggested I ‘pop a cheque in the post when it arrives’. Not at all what I was expecting from a commercial dealer and to be honest, a refreshing change from kind of sellers often found on eBay where nothing happens until your money is firmly in their hands (so to speak).
I am now looking forward to receiving the tuner and experimenting with a 44ft long doublet fed with 300 ohm ladder line. All I need now is a bit of decent weather…or is that too much to ask?
Dean Amateur Radio, Life..., Totally random antenna, Cebik, doublet, eBay, ladder line, portable, SEM TranZmatch, W4RNL, z-match
Some people really do need to get out more. My previous post relates to a run-in I had recently with an eBay seller from whom I ‘borrowed’ a picture for one of my listings.
I thought the matter was closed but oh no, this morning I have noticed that the seller concerned has now been bidding on my item to run up the price, I assume in the hope it reaches a level where his item (remember he is asking considerably more than I am) becomes price competitive.
I have now blocked that eBay user from bidding on any of my auctions and I await further developments. It’s a bloody silly game! Why can’t people just get on with their own lives without meddling in other peoples lives?
Dean Life..., Totally random eBay
Ok, maybe not THAT big brother but rest assured, whatever you’re up to, someone is watching.
Case in point - I placed a listing on eBay a few days ago to sell a bit of radio gear I don’t have a use for anymore. For convenience and because I couldn’t be bothered to take a picture of my item for sale I used a picture from another sellers listing (as many do, apparently). I was today emailed by that seller who was a bit miffed that I’d used his picture without asking permission. Oops - busted!
Now as a photographer, who has at times had my own pictures used without permission, I should know better so an apology was made after a brief email exchange. I suspect that what really annoyed him though was the fact I had an identical item for sale at a starting bid of less than half his asking price!
Dean Life..., Pictures, Totally random eBay, photography