- #1
KL7AJ
- 78
- 12
Happy to have any comments on this.
Eric
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Are Lecher Wires Still Used in Electronics Courses?
- Thread starter KL7AJ
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the use of lecher wires in electronics courses, exploring their historical significance and current relevance as a teaching tool in RF (radio frequency) education.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Historical
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express interest in the characteristic impedance of lecher wires, with one participant describing their method of determining it using a potentiometer.
- There is a mention of the effect of varying spacing on the characteristic impedance, with a request for further details on this aspect.
- One participant reflects on the rarity of lecher lines in modern electronics courses, suggesting they were more commonly encountered in the past.
- A participant shares a personal anecdote about their experience with lecher lines from 30 years ago, highlighting their value as a teaching tool.
- There is a proposal to manufacture lecher wires in kit form, although the participant notes that these kits may not be as sophisticated as previous versions.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that lecher wires are not commonly used in current electronics courses, but there is no consensus on their overall value or potential for revival in educational contexts.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the effectiveness of lecher wires as teaching tools and the specifics of their impedance characteristics remain unresolved. The discussion does not clarify the current curriculum standards regarding RF education.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in the historical context of RF education, educators considering teaching tools for electronics courses, and hobbyists looking into manufacturing educational kits.
Happy to have any comments on this.
Eric
- #2
elegysix
- 404
- 15
That's cool. I'd never heard of the lecher wire.
So, how was it that you determined the characteristic impedance to be 390 ohms?
Also, you mentioned varying the spacing had some effect. I'd be interested to learn more about that.
So, how was it that you determined the characteristic impedance to be 390 ohms?
Also, you mentioned varying the spacing had some effect. I'd be interested to learn more about that.
- #3
KL7AJ
- 78
- 12
Hi Elegysix:
I determined the characteristic impedance by putting a potentiometer on the end and adjusting it until I saw no difference in the voltage as I moved the probe along the line. And it comes out pretty close to the theoretical value based on the tubing diameter and spacing.
Eric
I determined the characteristic impedance by putting a potentiometer on the end and adjusting it until I saw no difference in the voltage as I moved the probe along the line. And it comes out pretty close to the theoretical value based on the tubing diameter and spacing.
Eric
- #4
davenn
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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nice one Eric
Unfortunately lecher lines are rarely seen in electronics courses these days
but us oldies are more likely to have encountered them ... that takes me back 30 odd years to when I used them last. A fantastic teaching tool for the RF classroom
cheers
Dave
Unfortunately lecher lines are rarely seen in electronics courses these days
but us oldies are more likely to have encountered them ... that takes me back 30 odd years to when I used them last. A fantastic teaching tool for the RF classroom
cheers
Dave
- #5
KL7AJ
- 78
- 12
davenn said:nice one Eric
Unfortunately lecher lines are rarely seen in electronics courses these days
but us oldies are more likely to have encountered them ... that takes me back 30 odd years to when I used them last. A fantastic teaching tool for the RF classroom
cheers
Dave
I'm thinking about manufacturing some of these in kit form. Won't be quite as fancy as mine, though. :)
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