[Antennas] Transi-Trap

[Glenn Wiebe]

Hello all:

Recently I realized that I had problems with HF rig, feed line or antenna. When
I ran more then 40 watts or so out of the TS-440S the swr would climb up and
the display would blank. Some checks with the antenna analyzer showed no
problems with the feed line and the antenna. Thinking there might be problems
with the surge protector I bypassed it and all was well. It is the Alpha Delta
Communications model R-T I believe (the model number is not on the unit). The 
instructions that came with it indicate that when it fails it presents a high
VSWR
to the radio. I have never run across the display blanking before (except for
"all dots"), perhaps this is Kenwood's way of notifying the user that a near 
short exists on the antenna connector. It also says that it should not be
used where the VSWR is higher then 2:1, a condition which has existed many
times ever the 16 year life of the unit.

I checked the Alpha Delta site and see that this model has been replaced with
a unit which has a different type of cartridge. I guess after all this time the
old one doesn't owe me anything.

I pass this on for your information.

73 de Glenn...VE4GN