I have been reading about the MP-1 whip with some interest and am
wondering about the contruction. I am assuming that the coil and
cover assembly work like an inverted screw driver antenna, i.e., the
cover slides down over the coil from the top. What is not clear from
the pictures of the MP-1, is the construction of the cover. I though
a couple of questions might be in order for those of us who might
want to home brew one of these.
1. Is the outer cover constructed from or contain a metal sleve that
capacitively shorts out the covered portion of the coil like on the
screw driver antenna (eliminates current loops in shorted portion of
coil).
2. Does the coil shorting contact use a single point contact, or a
continous (circular) contact made from finger stock or a spiral wire
oring gizmo (always liked that word).
3. I am also assuming that the MP-1 works better when an extention
is inserted under the coil to get it up the whip a few feet.
73,
Jim Zellmer, KA0VSL