[Elecraft] High SWR problem

Sun Aug 17 16:10:01 2003

Hi Gregg, the SWR meter is built into the ATU (it's an MFJ-949E Versa Tuner
II). 1m = 3'3", so 65' I think. I was trying on 14MHz.

Edward

On 17/8/03 8:36 pm, "Gregg Lengling" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Edward there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers.  So I'll do
> the stupid answer.  Where do you have your SWR/Power meter...is it
> between the rig and the tuner or between the tuner and the antenna.  I
> hope between the rig and the tuner, because the tuner becomes part of
> the resonant circuit....a meter after the tuner will always read the
> antenna not the tuned circuit you are creating.
> 
> If you have it properly setup, on what bands are you trying to tune up
> on and I take it you mean that your running a 20 meter long wire
> (ie...in English units a little more than 60 some feet...correct???
> 
> 
> Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI
> 
> Politics is the art of appearing candid and completely open, while
> concealing as much as possible.   -States: The Bene Gesserit View
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Edward Kenworthy
> Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2003 2:29 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Elecraft] High SWR problem
> 
> I'm a newbie, so please feel free to state the obvious :-)
> 
> I've installed a 20m long-wire - on the basis that it was an easy way to
> get
> on the air. Problem is, I simply cannot reduce my SWR below "infinity"
> :-(
> 
> I'm using a manual ATU and following the instructions I started at the
> suggested settings then adjust the transmitter and antenna knobs (I
> assume
> these are capacitances) with a fixed, recommended, inductance. But the
> SWR
> doesn't budge
> 
> My house is a single storey and the longwire is attached at one end to
> the
> base bottom of the pole on which my VHF/UHF vertical is sited - so the
> long-wire is about 8' above the ground. It runs for about 5m near one
> side
> of the house (it's an L-shaped house) and by near I mean 1 foot or so
> away,
> and the far end is attached to a branch of an oak tree. Both ends are
> insulated and attached using some kevlar cord.
> 
> My RF earth is a 4' copper rod wired to my ATU and transmitter using
> *braided* tinned copper wire.
> 
> The ATU manual says, in essence, my RF earth is crap. 1 rod and using
> braided is bad idea it says. OK fair enough, but isn't the point of a
> long
> wire that it's easy - if I have to install an ultra-efficient earth
> system
> with multiple rods etc then that rather defeats the point.
> 
> So, anyone have any suggestions ? Is it the location of the long wire
> (I'm
> wondering if running it near the house is the problem) or is it my rf
> earth
> ?
> 
> If the latter - then is the long-wire a waste of time and should I just
> go
> for a dipole (I believe I don't need an RF earth for a dipole - is that
> right ?
> 
> HELP!
> 
> Edward
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list: [email protected]
> You must be subscribed to post to the list.
> To subscribe or unsubscribe see:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Elecraft Web Page: http://www.elecraft.com
> Also see: http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_list_guidelines.htm
> 