[Lowfer] BZS with record high antenna current!!

[Steven Brooks]

Mike,

My Nautel ATU works great with low RF levels, as we use in the Lowfer
arena.  I had to repair a few things inside as it was damaged in
shipping, its a crap shoot with ebay and packing and shipping.  

Nautel still supports my model, the NX400TUB, their NX500TUB is almost
the exactly the same, the 500 handles 125 watts, my 400 handles 62.5
watts of RF in.  My unit was sold to the Coast Guard in 1981, and used
in Hawaii.  

The auto tuning section works great even with the low Lowfer levels, it
always tunes to max antenna current, max forward power, and minimal
reflected power.  The power meter and antenna current meters need a
little redesigning for low level meter scales, this is still in
progress.  I had to add a coil to increase inductance in the tuning
coils, it was designed to be used between 190 - 535Khz.
  
I have increased my output current by 20-30ma with the fine tuning and
the impedance matching of my antenna.  I currently am using a Lyle
Koehler transmitter with the LW-MAX as an exciter.  I am working on the
CW-ID chip from K1EL for the capability to run QRSS30 and 60.  

My vertical antenna is restricted to a height of 18' because of HOA
rules, and it resides in my back yard, not visible from the street. 
I've got a triangular tophat extending from my roof peaks to the
backyard.  My ground plane consists of 6 awg copper, 10 radials, 5 are
terminated with ground rods.  This set up is the best I believe I can
do with the restrictions.  

Steven  BZS  187.302Khz  QRSS5  QRSS 30 and 60 coming soon!


--- Michael Silvers <silversmj@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Steve & Group,
> 
> So were you the fella that got that Nautel ATU off
> eBay from Hawaii?  I was wondering if those things
> worked with such a low RF power input?  Or am I
> missing something?
> 
> 73 de Mike KB6WFC k ..
> 
> --- Steven Brooks <sanh1c@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Hey Lowfers and Loopers,
> > 
> > Point your receiving antennas toward Avondale, AZ,
> > BZS has record
> > antenna current at 185ma!  I fixed/modified and just
> > put into service
> > my Nautel NX400TUB Automatic Antenna Tuner on the
> > BZS beacon.  It
> > replaced a hand wound coil I had made from Home
> > Depot wire and a 12"
> > building form.  What a jump, I was able to raise my
> > antenna current by
> > another 20ma out, just by being able to fine tune
> > it.
> > With antenna modifications, an improved ground
> > plane, and an auto
> > antenna tuner, I just might be able to get some
> > reception reports this
> > season.
> > Currently BZS is transmitting 5 second dots and 15
> > second dashes, and
> > my output carrier is 187.302Khz.
> > 
> > Steven Brooks  BZS  187.302Khz  QRSS5
> 
> 
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