[time-nuts] Non-impedance matched antenna cables

[Bruce Griffiths]

Chris Cheney wrote:
>> I've seen that you're right, Thunderbolt is originally supplied with 75ft
>> of 75 ohm RG-59 cable, as indicated in the manual... So I've the inverse
>> problem: the GPS antennas we have in the roof both have 50ohm cable :)
>> So... would be good to change the impedance at the Thunderbolt antenna
>> port from 75 to 50 by means of some impedance converter? (of course, not
>> altering the DC supply to the antenna).
>>     
>
> If a correct match is a must-have, see 
> http://www.tuc.nrao.edu/~demerson/twelfth/twelfth.htm on "twelfth-wave 
> transformers". Basically, in series:
>
> 75ohm----50ohm(La)----75ohm(Lb)----50ohm
>
> The lengths La and Lb are approx one-twelfth wavelength in the cable.
>
> Continuity for power feed is maintained. 
>
> But, since the L1 free-space wavelength is about 20 cm (cable wavelength 
> probably 16-18 cm), one twelfth of a wavelength is rather short - quite 
> possibly impractically short as the connectors must be included :-)
>
> Chris
> G3RSE
>
>
>   
Forget the complication of an impedance transformer just trim the cable 
to the appropriate length by adding a short section of additional cable 
if necessary.
Unless the SWR (or reflection coefficient) of the antenna and the 
receiver are measured using an impedance transformer may make matters 
worse.

Bruce