[Antennas] G5RV

Fri Mar 11 10:33:18 EST 2005

For the last 10 years I have used a G5RV from Van Gorden in an inverted Vee
configuration. I have always been pleased with it, and after the last ice
strorm damage, I have decided to replace it rather than repair it again. I
use it on all bands, except 15 meters, and need the tuner for all except the
novice portion of 80 meters, where the VSWR is 1.3:1??!! Despite the
compromise antenna, I have 248 confirmed, so I'm staying with it.
The original antenna came with 70 feet of RG-8X connected after the
transformer (balun), but the new one came with 100 ft and a pl-259 to
connect on the transciever end.
My question is this: Does the length of coax make a real difference? I could
go shorter, I really don't want all that coax sitting outside in the yard
( I use a bulkhead connector to enter the house). Could the length of coax
be the reason for the poor performance on 15 meters? I read somewhere that
when coax fed, the G5RV needs at least 70 feet of coax, is this accurate?
Would more coax be beneficial for a better match?
Thanks for any reponses:
Larry, N1SHM