[Elecraft] W2 Question about SWR Reading

[Don Wilhelm]

Don,

It will be after the sensor (toward the antennas).
Check at lower power and see if the situation still exists.  If so, then 
I think you are looking for a loose connection.  Finger-tight on PL-259s 
is not good enough, be sure the PL259 is well seated in the notches of 
the SO-239.  If you can rotate the barrel at all, it is loose.
Tighten slightly tighter than finger-tight with a tool.  The UHF 
connectors depend on being fully tightened for a good connection for the 
shield side.  Make those checks at the sensor, tuner and all coax lines 
to your antenna switch.  Since it is common to all antennas, I think you 
will find it is between the sensor and where you split off to the 3 
antennas.

If OTOH, you have sound behavior at lower power levels, you are looking 
for something arcing at higher powers.  You would still want to check 
the tightening of the connectors, but also look for any place that could 
be arcing between the center conductor and the shield.
If your tuner has a roller inductor, a bit of lubrication on the contact 
roller may be in order.

Good luck and 73,
Don W3FPR


On 9/2/2012 9:05 AM, goldtr8 at charter.net wrote:
> Sorry for the confusion.
>
> Sensor is after the output of the driver and before the input of the
> tuner.
>
> AMP-------Sensor-------Tuner------coax to antennas
>
> So how does one determine what is changing with power variation.
>
> ~73
> Don
> KD8NNU
> FH#4107
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 2, 2012 at 8:57 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Don,
>>
>> I am confused about where your sensor is.
>> In one paragraph, you say the sensor is "between my antenna tuner and
>> amp"
>> further down you say the sensor is "after the tuner and before the
>> amp"
>>
>> So, do you have the sensor at the output of your driver and before the
>> input of your amplifier, or is the sensor at the output of your
>> amplifier and before the input to your tuner?
>>
>> One thing is to be indicated by that flickering of SWR is that
>> something is changing characteristics with power variation.
>> But with the confusion of your sensor location it is difficult to say
>> whether that is at the amp input, the tuner input or the antenna
>> system.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 9/2/2012 8:34 AM, goldtr8 at charter.net wrote:
>>> I have been using my W2 for about a week now and I am trying to
>>> understand why it is doing what it is doing.
>>>
>>> Basically I can get my SWR reading tuned in fine using normal tuning
>>> procedures and then turn on the amp and whistle in it and the SWR
>>> changes very little.
>>>
>>> However when I go to TX using phone it bounces all over the place and
>>> goes signficanlty higher than I would expect.   This bouncing effect
>>> is
>>> tuner engaged or no engaged with resonant areas of the antennas.
>>>
>>>
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