[30m] My DK3 Screwdriver Antenna setup

[Brian Kassel]

Jason and Gang:

  Are you sure that you are actually connected to the aluminum 
conductors?  Aluminum has a great tendency to oxidize quickly, leaving 
no connection.  Also ensure that the aluminum is not anodized.  Use an 
ohm meter to check conductivity between all all of the various radials 
in your system. To treat the aluminum conductors for no oxidation 
problems, clean the connection area with Scotch Brite, DO NOT use steel 
wool of sandpaper unless the sandpaper is extremely fine grit.  With 
Scotch Brite, only a little elbow grease is required.  Then take some 
"NO-OXIDE" grease and THINLY coat the connection area.  Thinly means 
thinly! ;).   The grease is available at almost any hardware store, and 
is not expensive.  I have fixed many an aluminum antenna this way.  Just 
one more thing to try.  

  You may want to temporarily replace the screw driver antenna with an 8 
foot piece of wire or pipe, forming a true 10M 1/4 wave vertical.  Check 
the SWR.  If is it good, that would prove that the ground and other 
connections are OK., at least for 10M.   I picked 10M because of it's 
short antenna requirements.  Any other band would work of course for the 
test, if you have the room.

Brian K7RE