[600MRG] Pegged out RF Ammeter - Hope that's a good thing

[Andy - KU4XR]

Hi All:

I have been doing some minor changes to the antenna system, some helped, some didn't .. Had managed to get
the Line Current up from 1.3 amps to 1.35 amps ( at the start of this adventure it was at 1.2 amps ) .. Today. on
a try it and see whim, I connected an Air Variable from the Antenna to Ground, and began moving the Coil Tap, 
and adjusting the Cap. I found a combination that showed improvement, so I continued moving the tap, and
adjusting the cap. The ending result was pegging my 1.5 amp RF Ammeter, and the PA now runs much cooler..
I had to revert back to the Field Strength meter in combination with the SWR meter to tell when I had Maximum
Output, and Minimum VSWR at the same time .. I had 2 ammeters in the drawer - both were 2 amp meters..
wouldn't you know it, both of them are burned out... Ugh ... The FS meter accomplishes the overall goal, BUT,
the RF Ammeter gives readings that can be used for various calculations, so, I really miss that being Inline ...
Since I have to do this stuff empiracally, without the aid of test equipment that I don't have; I believe I made
definite improvements to the RF getting to the top of the Antenna ... The lowest I can get the VSWR is 1.22 to 1..
That tells me that there is still a slight bit of mismatch.. The changes today also resulted in 3 less turns needed
on the Loading Coil .. and 1/2 coil turn less on the Matching end to the Transmitter .. All Good Stuff !!
Best guess is that I now have about 20 milliamps more RF current on the hot end of the coil, going into the Antenna..

73 all:

Andy - KU4XR