You will have fun with this, BUT be very careful. Back in the AM
days, we did this from NM, to reduce CA QRM. Blew the coax on the
first transmission. SWR/matching requires attention.
Warren; W7WY
Hi Guys,
I've got a ground mounted 1/4 wave 40-meter vertical located at the edge
of a saltwater river. Before sunset tonight, I want to add a 1/4 wave
reflector behind it to add a little more gain towards Europe. (a fun little
experiment) I'm only looking for one direction with this antenna: towards
Europe... so I'll be end firing it NE with the reflector to the SW of the
driven element.
A couple quick questions:
1) Should I locate the reflector 1/4 wave (33') behind the driven element
or is there a better distance to use for a simple and quick setup?
2) I'm looking for the simplest method of feeding these antennas as I have
limited parts at this temporary location: a T-connector and coax! Would
the use of a UHF T-Connector and then individual feedlines to each of the 2
verticals be the quickest way to connect them? If so, any recommendations
for feedline lengths?
Thanks!
Dick- K9OM/4
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 11:36:54 -0500
From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
To: "'Michael W5NIG'" <tower@coffeepower.net>,
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <000001cbcad3$0f681260$2e383720$@net>
Here are two photos of what I mean by crimp-on PL-259s failing.
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-1.jpg
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-3.jpg
You can see the braid/ferrule has pulled back from the main part of the
connector. When installed this was flush against the body of the connector.
Eventually this will pull right off. If I hadn't soldered the center
conductor in (some are intended to just crimp on) the coax would pull right
out of the connector. When, in the middle of CQWW 2009, my 160 TX antenna
had failed I went outside and found the coax laying on the sodden ground
having failed exactly in that manner.
After the contest was over I pulled somewhat-gently on every coax sticking
down from the Ameritron antenna switchbox and two more pulled apart. At that
point I still trusted the connectors, but I insisted on soldering the
centers after that. When more failed inside the shack, on patch cables, etc,
I gave up and went back to solder-only.
------
- pjd
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael W5NIG
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 9:17 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
***Quote***
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:39:52 -0500
From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259
To: <nf4l@nf4l.com>, "'towertalk reflector'"
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <018401cbca3c$99d3e380$cd7baa80$@net>
Mike, I have to say my experiences with crimp-on connectors has ranged from
convenient to catastrophic failure, with the latter being commonplace. I'd
say about 75% of the crimp connectors have failed within the three years
they've been installed, both inside and outside. Once any stress goes on the
cable (just gravity for the most part), it's just been a matter of time
before it fails in my experience. I'm using connectors from The RF
Connection as well as the crimp tool they provided and I use a cable-prep
tool from DX Engineering. This summer all my remaining crimp-on connectors
will be cut off and new solder-type (inside) and clamp-type connectors
(outside) will go on instead. I'm quite intrigued about this new clamp type
and I'd personally like to get more first-hand experiences before
shotgunning out all the existing connectors.
***UnQuote***
Very interesting! I've been using a coax prep tool for quite a while now,
it's a
love/hate relationship, hi hi. works well though, all in all. I just
bought a crimp
tool with the extra set of jaws at the last hamfest that I attended. I
haven't had
opportunity yet to us one on regular rg8 or 213 but have had the pleasure of
installing
a few on 8x. I've got to say Im impressed with it in that capacity! good
compression
on the shield and great tension on the jacket. Usually the thing is subject
to twisting
etc and if the coax is moving a lot I eventually might have issues with it.
I"ll be testing
it on 8/213 coax at easy to get to places to see how it goes when I get back
on my tower
project!
Michael de W5NIG
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 11:51:37 -0500
From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Ultra-flexible RG-213/equivalent
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <000101cbcad5$1df680d0$59e38270$@net>
Hi all,
I'd like to build my internal patch cables out of an extremely flexible
RG-213-sized coax that's rated for legal-limit power (with lots of
headroom). Any recommendations? As much as I'd like my installation to be
permanent, the reality is that I usually have to move stuff out of the
stack, move the amp to access the back of the radio stack, etc, and stiff
coax is one more hassle I'd rather not have to worry about.
-----------------------------------
Regards,
Peter,
W2IRT
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 11:55:54 -0500
From: "Gene Fuller" <w2lu@rochester.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Adding reflector to 40-meter vertical
To: <RLVZ@aol.com>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <7E639C333FA945CBBEF73A5683ECAABA@FamilyRoom>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hi Dick -
If "easy"is important, it might be easier to just put up a parasitiec
reflector. Resonate at 6.7-6.8 MHZ and place about 25 feet behind your
present vertical. It will affect your SWR but if your Xmtr will tune ok and
your feed line isn't too long ( lossy) you should be good to go. Without a
lot of fuss your gain and f/b should be about the same as driven two
element.
Gene / W2LU
----- Original Message -----
From: <RLVZ@aol.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:25 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Adding reflector to 40-meter vertical
> Hi Guys,
>
> I've got a ground mounted 1/4 wave 40-meter vertical located at the edge
> of a saltwater river. Before sunset tonight, I want to add a 1/4 wave
> reflector behind it to add a little more gain towards Europe. (a fun
> little
> experiment) I'm only looking for one direction with this antenna:
> towards
> Europe... so I'll be end firing it NE with the reflector to the SW of the
> driven element.
>
> A couple quick questions:
>
> 1) Should I locate the reflector 1/4 wave (33') behind the driven element
> or is there a better distance to use for a simple and quick setup?
>
> 2) I'm looking for the simplest method of feeding these antennas as I have
> limited parts at this temporary location: a T-connector and coax! Would
> the use of a UHF T-Connector and then individual feedlines to each of the
> 2
> verticals be the quickest way to connect them? If so, any
> recommendations
> for feedline lengths?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Dick- K9OM/4
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 09:10:07 -0800
From: "Jim W7RY" <w7ry@inbox.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
To: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>, "'Michael W5NIG'"
<tower@coffeepower.net>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <C4665E4630EE4A15BD3FDD5DC6BA0AF7@Laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I see a connector covered with heatshrink and no shield pulling away. ????
Jim W7RY
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 8:36 AM
To: "'Michael W5NIG'" <tower@coffeepower.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
> Here are two photos of what I mean by crimp-on PL-259s failing.
>
> http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-1.jpg
> http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-3.jpg
>
> You can see the braid/ferrule has pulled back from the main part of the
> connector. When installed this was flush against the body of the
> connector.
> Eventually this will pull right off. If I hadn't soldered the center
> conductor in (some are intended to just crimp on) the coax would pull
> right
> out of the connector. When, in the middle of CQWW 2009, my 160 TX antenna
> had failed I went outside and found the coax laying on the sodden ground
> having failed exactly in that manner.
>
> After the contest was over I pulled somewhat-gently on every coax sticking
> down from the Ameritron antenna switchbox and two more pulled apart. At
> that
> point I still trusted the connectors, but I insisted on soldering the
> centers after that. When more failed inside the shack, on patch cables,
> etc,
> I gave up and went back to solder-only.
>
>
> ------
>
> - pjd
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael W5NIG
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 9:17 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
>
> ***Quote***
> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:39:52 -0500
> From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259
> To: <nf4l@nf4l.com>, "'towertalk reflector'"
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <018401cbca3c$99d3e380$cd7baa80$@net>
>
> Mike, I have to say my experiences with crimp-on connectors has ranged
> from
> convenient to catastrophic failure, with the latter being commonplace. I'd
> say about 75% of the crimp connectors have failed within the three years
> they've been installed, both inside and outside. Once any stress goes on
> the
> cable (just gravity for the most part), it's just been a matter of time
> before it fails in my experience. I'm using connectors from The RF
> Connection as well as the crimp tool they provided and I use a cable-prep
> tool from DX Engineering. This summer all my remaining crimp-on connectors
> will be cut off and new solder-type (inside) and clamp-type connectors
> (outside) will go on instead. I'm quite intrigued about this new clamp
> type
> and I'd personally like to get more first-hand experiences before
> shotgunning out all the existing connectors.
>
> ***UnQuote***
>
> Very interesting! I've been using a coax prep tool for quite a while
> now,
> it's a
> love/hate relationship, hi hi. works well though, all in all. I just
> bought a crimp
> tool with the extra set of jaws at the last hamfest that I attended. I
> haven't had
> opportunity yet to us one on regular rg8 or 213 but have had the pleasure
> of
>
> installing
> a few on 8x. I've got to say Im impressed with it in that capacity! good
> compression
> on the shield and great tension on the jacket. Usually the thing is
> subject
>
> to twisting
> etc and if the coax is moving a lot I eventually might have issues with
> it.
> I"ll be testing
> it on 8/213 coax at easy to get to places to see how it goes when I get
> back
>
> on my tower
> project!
>
> Michael de W5NIG
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3439 - Release Date: 02/12/11
>
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 12:40:42 -0500
From: K8RI on TT <k8ri-on-towertalk@tm.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Message-ID: <4D56C61A.2060604@tm.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 2/12/2011 11:36 AM, Peter Dougherty wrote:
> Here are two photos of what I mean by crimp-on PL-259s failing.
>
> http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-1.jpg
> http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-3.jpg
I've never had one pull back. It appears that possibly the wrong die was
used not making a tight enough crimp.
The crimp sleeve is covered so I can't tell for sure, but it looks like
the crimp may have been too far back. It should be right against the
connector shoulder.
Photos without the heatshrink would tell much more.
73
Roger (K8RI)
> You can see the braid/ferrule has pulled back from the main part of the
> connector. When installed this was flush against the body of the connector.
> Eventually this will pull right off. If I hadn't soldered the center
> conductor in (some are intended to just crimp on) the coax would pull right
> out of the connector. When, in the middle of CQWW 2009, my 160 TX antenna
> had failed I went outside and found the coax laying on the sodden ground
> having failed exactly in that manner.
>
> After the contest was over I pulled somewhat-gently on every coax sticking
> down from the Ameritron antenna switchbox and two more pulled apart. At that
> point I still trusted the connectors, but I insisted on soldering the
> centers after that. When more failed inside the shack, on patch cables, etc,
> I gave up and went back to solder-only.
>
>
> ------
>
> - pjd
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael W5NIG
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 9:17 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
>
> ***Quote***
> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:39:52 -0500
> From: "Peter Dougherty"<w2irt@verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259
> To:<nf4l@nf4l.com>, "'towertalk reflector'"
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<018401cbca3c$99d3e380$cd7baa80$@net>
>
> Mike, I have to say my experiences with crimp-on connectors has ranged from
> convenient to catastrophic failure, with the latter being commonplace. I'd
> say about 75% of the crimp connectors have failed within the three years
> they've been installed, both inside and outside. Once any stress goes on the
> cable (just gravity for the most part), it's just been a matter of time
> before it fails in my experience. I'm using connectors from The RF
> Connection as well as the crimp tool they provided and I use a cable-prep
> tool from DX Engineering. This summer all my remaining crimp-on connectors
> will be cut off and new solder-type (inside) and clamp-type connectors
> (outside) will go on instead. I'm quite intrigued about this new clamp type
> and I'd personally like to get more first-hand experiences before
> shotgunning out all the existing connectors.
>
> ***UnQuote***
>
> Very interesting! I've been using a coax prep tool for quite a while now,
> it's a
> love/hate relationship, hi hi. works well though, all in all. I just
> bought a crimp
> tool with the extra set of jaws at the last hamfest that I attended. I
> haven't had
> opportunity yet to us one on regular rg8 or 213 but have had the pleasure of
>
> installing
> a few on 8x. I've got to say Im impressed with it in that capacity! good
> compression
> on the shield and great tension on the jacket. Usually the thing is subject
>
> to twisting
> etc and if the coax is moving a lot I eventually might have issues with it.
> I"ll be testing
> it on 8/213 coax at easy to get to places to see how it goes when I get back
>
> on my tower
> project!
>
> Michael de W5NIG
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:11:33 -0500
From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
To: "'Jim W7RY'" <w7ry@inbox.com>, "'Michael W5NIG'"
<tower@coffeepower.net>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Message-ID: <000701cbcae0$48b6b690$da2423b0$@net>
The copper shield itself isn't visible in the shot, but it's under the
ferrule that's pulled back. That knurled portion behind the barrel of the
white heat-shrunk PL-259 (between the heat shrink and the part you rotate
onto the SO-239) should not be visible. That knurled bit should have copper
shield and crimped ferrule over top of it (and optional heat-shrink). The
"Amp Out" connector (below it) isn't in clear focus in that shot, but it's
still good. The "failed" one hasn't failed completely, the centre is still
soldered in and the electrical connections are solid (it's the lead down
from the tower). I haven't gotten around to replacing it yet but when I get
some time that's high on the priorities list, assuming there's any slack
left in the basement - it's pretty snug right now.
------
- pjd
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim W7RY
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 12:10 PM
To: Peter Dougherty; 'Michael W5NIG'; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
I see a connector covered with heatshrink and no shield pulling away. ????
Jim W7RY
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 8:36 AM
To: "'Michael W5NIG'" <tower@coffeepower.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
> Here are two photos of what I mean by crimp-on PL-259s failing.
>
>
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-1.jpg
>
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-3.jpg
>
> You can see the braid/ferrule has pulled back from the main part of the
> connector. When installed this was flush against the body of the
> connector.
> Eventually this will pull right off. If I hadn't soldered the center
> conductor in (some are intended to just crimp on) the coax would pull
> right
> out of the connector. When, in the middle of CQWW 2009, my 160 TX antenna
> had failed I went outside and found the coax laying on the sodden ground
> having failed exactly in that manner.
>
> After the contest was over I pulled somewhat-gently on every coax sticking
> down from the Ameritron antenna switchbox and two more pulled apart. At
> that
> point I still trusted the connectors, but I insisted on soldering the
> centers after that. When more failed inside the shack, on patch cables,
> etc,
> I gave up and went back to solder-only.
>
>
> ------
>
> - pjd
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael W5NIG
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 9:17 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
>
> ***Quote***
> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:39:52 -0500
> From: "Peter Dougherty" <w2irt@verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259
> To: <nf4l@nf4l.com>, "'towertalk reflector'"
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <018401cbca3c$99d3e380$cd7baa80$@net>
>
> Mike, I have to say my experiences with crimp-on connectors has ranged
> from
> convenient to catastrophic failure, with the latter being commonplace. I'd
> say about 75% of the crimp connectors have failed within the three years
> they've been installed, both inside and outside. Once any stress goes on
> the
> cable (just gravity for the most part), it's just been a matter of time
> before it fails in my experience. I'm using connectors from The RF
> Connection as well as the crimp tool they provided and I use a cable-prep
> tool from DX Engineering. This summer all my remaining crimp-on connectors
> will be cut off and new solder-type (inside) and clamp-type connectors
> (outside) will go on instead. I'm quite intrigued about this new clamp
> type
> and I'd personally like to get more first-hand experiences before
> shotgunning out all the existing connectors.
>
> ***UnQuote***
>
> Very interesting! I've been using a coax prep tool for quite a while
> now,
> it's a
> love/hate relationship, hi hi. works well though, all in all. I just
> bought a crimp
> tool with the extra set of jaws at the last hamfest that I attended. I
> haven't had
> opportunity yet to us one on regular rg8 or 213 but have had the pleasure
> of
>
> installing
> a few on 8x. I've got to say Im impressed with it in that capacity! good
> compression
> on the shield and great tension on the jacket. Usually the thing is
> subject
>
> to twisting
> etc and if the coax is moving a lot I eventually might have issues with
> it.
> I"ll be testing
> it on 8/213 coax at easy to get to places to see how it goes when I get
> back
>
> on my tower
> project!
>
> Michael de W5NIG
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3439 - Release Date: 02/12/11
>
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
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http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 98, Issue 35
*****************************************
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