[NLRS] [BC'ers] How to troubleshoot a flaky feedline?

[Jon Platt]

The concern with testing with DC voltages via an ohmmeter is that it will not necessarily detect if there is water contamination.  If you have terminated the end of the coax with a known 50 ohm load and the SWR in the shack on 144 MHz is not 1:1 then the feedline probably has water in it (and or a critter has chewed on it).    Another trick that I have done in the past is to temporarily steal the feedline from a different antenna just to confirm that the 2m antenna is indeed ok.  If the SWR is good on the 2nd feedline, then the first feedline is bad, again most likely water in it.   Is the suspect feedline 9913 or LMR400 ? 73, Jon  -----Original Message-----
From: David Palm <thepalmhq at gmail.com>
Cc: NLRS List <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>; Badger Contesters List <badgercontesters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thu, Sep 12, 2019 12:50 pm
Subject: Re: [NLRS] [BC'ers] How to troubleshoot a flaky feedline?

Jeff,

I just checked it and a DC continuity test shows 50 ohms.  So that would
indicate compromised coax, I presume?  Surprising, since the waterproofing
seemed really tight when I pulled it off, but of course looks could be
deceiving.  If this is the cause, is it enough just to cut this back a
couple of feet or so on the tower side and put on a new connector?

Thanks and 73,

David  W9HQ