[Icom] Strange IC-765 40 meter problem

[Joe Stepansky]

At 02:43 PM 7/28/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>I agreed also, which is why I went back up this morning.  Couldn't see 
>anything at all on the Discoverer 7-2 that was corroded, oxidized, folded, 
>spindled, mutilated, etc.  After 13 years the thing appears to be in 
>excellent shape.  Doesn't mean there still isn't something up there, but 
>I'm not sure how I could look any more closely at the full length of both 
>elements and the boom.  And the wind has kicked up today with no ill effects.

Just realized that I'd bothered everyone with this issue several weeks ago 
and never told you what we found.  My 40 meter problem is definitely NOT 
with the IC-765.  Talked with Hy-Gain/MFJ (which I should have done before, 
but nobody ever gave me credit for having brains), and they believe it's 
probably the insulator(s) between the driven element and the boom.  If the 
insulator is cracked or otherwise in disrepair, the element and boom may be 
touching (electrically) briefly, giving all the momentary high SWR and poor 
reception conditions I've noted.  It's the best explanation I've heard so far.

As much as I hate to do it, I'll get the lift again, take the element off 
the boom and clean everything up.

Thanks for all the suggestions!


73, Joe KQ3F