[NLRS] Old 2M antenna Question

[Mike King - KM0T]

Hi all,

 

I resurrected an old KLM 2M-20LBX.  I got it about 5 years ago from some
deal I was swinging and it was brand new in the box, never opened until this
weekend.  The instruction manual says 1990!

 

Anyway, its 38.5' long and it looks awesome put together.  It was a really
nice kit and went together very well.

 

So, the question I have for some of you that were around and on the air back
when that was a popular antenna.  I can only get it to about 12' for
testing, and I get a 1.7 SWR.  I'm assuming it's an issue with being too
close to ground to get an accurate reading.  

 

When I get it on the tower, it will be hard to get at again.  However, it
does not appear that there is any way to adjust the antenna for SWR.

 

So I was wondering if any of you recall what kind of SWRs you were seeing
when you got this beast up in the air?

 

Incidentally, it's a dual driven element system with crossed phase bars, so
the bandwidth is wide.  Not that I need that, cause I'm never going to use
it above 145 Mhz.

 

Any other anecdotal info appreciated..i.e. was it a good antenna or not?  Or
did I just spend the weekend practicing putting antennas together and move
on to a newer unit?

 

73 and Thanks,

 

Mike - KM0T

EN13VB.