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[Towertalk] 15M on C31XR

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [Towertalk] 15M on C31XR
From: w2up@mindspring.com (Barry )
Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 16:52:21 -0400
Maybe his antenna has a virus. Happy now Mike? :.)
Barry

On 8 May 02, at 3:32, Mike & Coreen Smith wrote:

> The Nerve! Posting something actually reflector related!
> (TIC)
> ;-))))
> 
> Subject: [Towertalk] 15M on C31XR
> 
> 
> > Hello All
> > 
> > Since the talk about antennas and towers seems
> > far and few between lately, I'm gonna throw
> > something out for reflection. I've tried 
> > asking this on the Force12 reflector a 
> > couple years ago before but didn't get 
> > much response. Since this antenna is even 
> > more wide spread now, Steve suggested I
> > try it over here.  (I also figure 
> > ALL of them are over here plus more.)
> > 
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
> > 
> > I have a C31XR. I'm quite happy with it but I 
> > get the "feeling" 15M isn't playing as well as it
> > could. Yes!, that's a really hard thing to quantify.
> > 
> > 1) The antenna's SWR on 15M reaches it's minimum 
> > between 20.0MHz and  20.3MHz. I just use a tuner
> > to make the rig happy. I know that SWR is not the 
> > be all and end all but I know the expected minimum 
> > SWR for the antenna design is higher up the band.
> > 
> > 2) After several years of competition, I just keep
> > getting the heck beat out of me on 15M. (I feel
> > competitive 10M and 20M.) When others in the area 
> > have high Q totals on 15, mine are always mediocre. 
> > I do accept the possibility that I may just be a lousy
> > contester too.
> > 
> > No, this is not a case of adjusting the infamous 
> > parallel wires, this antenna is feed with 3 separate
> > feedlines (though I am tempted to go to one feedline
> > just to see if things improve). I am well versed in 
> > all the ONE feedline techniques but it's not the
> > same beast.
> > 
> > Yes, I have made all the changes in the 
> > instruction book (moved driven element back, different 
> > hairpin coil, shortened and lengthned specified elements,
> > etc). I have rechecked the measurements until I am blue
> > in the face. I have made sure the tubing is going the
> > right direction (an easy mistake if not careful).
> > 
> > Last summer, I had it down and played with the driven element
> > length just to see if I could raise the frequency at
> > which the SWR bottom out. (I realize I may have messed up
> > my gain and f/b but it was an experiment). I got it
> > where I wanted it at ground level (about 20') but as 
> > soon as it went back up the tower - same result, back 
> > into lower 20MHz region.
> > 
> > So, I am looking for someone else with the same antenna,
> > feed with 3 feedlines, who may have experienced a similar
> > situation and solved it. It's not intolerable, the antenna
> > (at 100') works and it beats a C3S I have at 40' - it just
> > doesn't seem up to par with the other bands. 
> > 
> > I thought I would throw it out and see what floats up. 
> > Give us something to think about beside viruses and
> > insurance. :>) (NO criticism intended on ANYBODY)
> > 
> > 73
> > dink, n7wa
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Towertalk mailing list
> > Towertalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> > 
> 
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--
Barry Kutner, W2UP              Internet: w2up@mindspring.com
Newtown, PA                     Frankford Radio Club
        

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