In a message dated 98-10-09 10:54:43 EDT, kg5u@hal-pc.org writes:
> Would it be useful to record the SWR readings of the antenna in a
> certain position on the ground (say, on sawhorses, pointing at
> the back fence, etc.) to use as a reference for when the antenna
> is next down on the ground for service?
I always try to run my antenna analyzer while the antenna is on the
ground. What I'm looking for is to see that the antenna is acting like an
antenna; that is, that it has an SWR curve SOMEWHERE and looks like an
antenna. This exercise is handy so that then you'll have some sort of
benchmark when the antenna is up in the air.
I once put an antenna in the air and it didn't work. Since it had
successfully passed muster on the ground, we deduced that there was something
wrong with the feedline. There was and we fixed it. If we hadn't have tested
it on the ground, our conclusion would have lead us to lower the antenna to
check it out and it wasn't even the problem. ALWAYS check it on the ground -
you'll be glad you did.
Cheers, Steve K7LXC
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