1/4 Wave Theories - do a test?

To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: 1/4 Wave Theories - do a test?
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 22:27:33 -0500
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

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From:  Mad Coiler [SMTP:tesla_coiler-at-hotmail-dot-com]
Sent:  Saturday, June 06, 1998 1:29 PM
To:  tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject:  Re: 1/4 Wave Theories - do a test?

>----------
>From:  terryf-at-verinet-dot-com [SMTP:terryf-at-verinet-dot-com]
>Sent:  Thursday, June 04, 1998 8:53 AM
>To:  Tesla List
>Subject:  Re: 1/4 Wave Theories - do a test?
>
>Hi Tristan,
>
>At 08:04 PM 6/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>
>>----------
>>From:  Mad Coiler [SMTP:tesla_coiler-at-hotmail-dot-com]
>>Sent:  Monday, June 01, 1998 9:45 PM
>>To:  tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
>>Subject:  Re: 1/4 Wave Theories - do a test?
>>
>I have
>no data that would suggest that only the wire length being at or near 
the
>1/4 wavelength of your coil's operating frequency would make the 
difference
>you are seeing.  

This is exactly my point - that the wire length in my system doesnt 
appear to have a significant impact on frequency response and 
performance.

>In my opinion, other factors such as quenching, coupling coefficient, 
and
>the change in component values are accounting for your observations. 

  Guys, I am not trying to disprove the 1/4wave theory. But what 
significance is it if by simply tapping in a few turns on the pri coil 
(and a bigger toroid) makes such a dramatic improvement over when the 
system was all set up using 1/4 wave values?
  Perhaps my small coil is such an odd design that its operation is 
slightly different? For example, I have been told that my small coil 
doesnt have enough inductance or turns per inch to be a good performer. 
It is 3.5" diameter, 15" high, wound with #22. # of turns ~530, mH = 5.4
Powering this little guy with a 12Kv 60mA NST produces 30" sparks (about 
16"-22" sparks when tunned to 1/4wavelength). I am also using only dirt 
cheap hocky puck caps.

Tristan Stewart