[Elecraft] Problem? Don't know

[Stuart Rohre]

You may have better results with a dipole antenna, or at least you will be
able  to tell if it is the band.
A very low antenna as you describe, 12 ft., radiates mostly straight up and
is only good within your state except for exceptional propagation
conditions.

Try something from a tree to the peak of the house roof, if gable type.
You can forshorten a dipole to 60 per cent of normal and use a tuner and
ladder line to get it working not only on 40m but other bands as well.  Thus
about a 40 foot antenna can give a good dipole at 40m if tuned with parallel
line and tuner.
72,
Stuart
K5KVH