[Elecraft] Blown trap?

[Doug Person via Elecraft]

I had a similar problem with a Cushcraft antenna.  They also promised me 
an immediate replacement.  I waited, sent email, waited, sent email, 
called - left message, finally after about 2 months I received the 
replacement parts.

So, hold off judgement on their service until you have parts in hand.  I 
also had a new but defective 259C analyzer.  Sent it in for "No Matter 
What" warranty.  It took 65 days to get it back. I could go on.

Many people have shared their MFJ experiences in the past.  MFJ is 
always a good news/bad news company.  Many interesting products, but 
consistently falling short on quality and service.

I'm glad Cushcraft was bought rather than allowed to go under - just 
like Hy-Gain.  But, I am always suspicious of any of their products.

73, Doug -- K0DXV

On 12/15/2014 10:28 AM, Vic Rosenthal 4X6GP/K2VCO wrote:
> The good news is that I called MFJ, got a technician immediately, he 
> agreed that the 30M trap is the problem, and said he would send me a 
> new one under warranty. Elecraft-style service (so far).
>
> The bad news is that despite the statement in the manual that it is 
> rated at "1500W CW," he told me not to exceed 800-1000 watts. Not 
> Elecraft-style design/documentation!
>
> So if you have an R8 or similar antenna, be warned. I wasn't tuning up 
> or running RTTY -- I was calling CQ on 40M running about 1200W.
>
> Other bands are unchanged but 30 and 40M are gone.
>
> Thanks to everyone that responded.
>
> On 15 Dec 2014 15:07, David Cole wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> No matter what happens, you will probably end up taking the antenna
>> down...  If nothing else to check to be sure it is fine...
>>
>> Grab an analyzer and connect it as close to the antenna base as
>> possible, and see if it is resonant on all bands...  Probably won't
>> anymore.  If you are lucky, it is some strange feedline thing, or a
>> connector issue, but having the antenna work on some bands, while not on
>> others reeks of blown trap.  I fear your diagnosis is in fact
>> correct...
>>
>> If you are going to "fix" it, and if it were me, I would get a trapless
>> antenna of some sort...  No traps blow.  I currently use a GAP
>> Challenger DX, (trapless), and have a band by band review of it at:
>> http://nk7z.net/review-of-the-challenger-dx-antenna-by-gap-antenna/
>>
>> The antenna takes power, and does not break, I have run 1000 Watts into
>> it on RTTY for 15 minutes with no issues.  I have had it up for at least
>> 7 years, and I think 10 or more years.  Never a problem beyond the three
>> radials coming off once...  It is a pretty good performer on 40, and 20.
>> I finally got one of the mono gaps, and it does a good job.  I do take
>> it down every few years and check things, and change out anything that
>> looks like it is going bad.
>
>