[IRCA] 5" Mini-FSL "Heathkit" Construction Article

[d1028gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,

The 5" Mini-FSL was the first of several compact, AM-only antennas that
were developed for those DXers who thought that FSL models were either
too expensive, too complicated, or both. It was designed to be simple,
effective, easy to build-- and cost only about $90 in part purchases
(as of January 2012). After having been tested against various air core
loops in an outdoor environment, the tiny model really exceeded
expectations-- deadlocking in weak-signal performance with a full-sized
4-foot air core box loop (the antenna of the August 2010 Oregon coast
DXpedition).

In an effort to make assembly of the tiny FSL antenna as simple as
possible, a special, 10-page construction manual has been prepared,
patterned after the famous Heathkit assembly manuals of the last
century. In a step going beyond the Heathkit manuals, multiple
Photoshop-enhanced assembly pictures are included in the article,
showing each assembly step in a clear way. Assembly of the model has
also been made as simple as possible-- all of the parts are readily
available on the open market, and most of them have been stockpiled
here. Pre-cut kits of the PVC frame parts have been prepared, which are
available at cost (along with the other parts, as long as supplies
last). The tiny FSL was designed to be a DXing thriller, and for those
still "on the fence" about giving new antenna design a try, the perfect
introduction to a exciting new DXing experience
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ze98h293s85p86

Thanks very much to Rob Ross of London, Ontario for his generous gift
of 140mm x 8mm ferrite rods to develop this (and other) mini-FSL
models, and to Dave Kellmer of Portland, OR, for providing a generous
supply of the Funnoodle (soft) inner core material. Hopefully this
compact new antenna will provide a major boost in each builder's hobby
excitement!

73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)




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