[Elecraft] Weird 15 meter problem

[mikefurrey at att.net]

Great Read Jim!

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From: "Jim Sheldon" <w0eb at cox.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 3:14 PM
To: "Elecraft Mailing List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Elecraft] Weird 15 meter problem

> Just had a totally weird SWR problem on 15 meters.  Was trying to work the 
> T33A Banaba Island DXpedition and the KAT500 antenna tuner kept jumping 
> into tune, and faulting the KPA500 on Hi Reflected power.  Everything 
> worked fine on all other bands except 15.  Checked all the connections and 
> cables with everything checking fine.  Went outside and looked at the A3S 
> tribander through a good set of binoculars.  It appeared that a spider 
> (turned out to be a Black Widow) had made a fresh web right across the 
> feedpoint of the antenna.  Funny, but it must have just been wet enough to 
> really upset the resonance.  I got the belt & gloves out, climbed the 
> tower and destroyed the spider, it's web and the eggs she had just laid. 
> Hit everything with some "spider killer" spray and then some WD-40 to get 
> rid of the residue.  Back down to the shack and everything was back to 
> normal.
>
> Never had a spider create that kind of problem before and it was only on 
> 15 meters!  The tuner and amp sure didn't like it though.
>
> Jim - W0EB
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