[TenTec] TT 238C will not tune

[Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP]

Wade,

You need to chuck out the Wireman openwire and switch to true openwire.
This will fix you problem.

BTW, there is no 2:1 efficiency swing with wet Windowline - that's a myth.
It only changes the impedance, not the efficiency.
I am aware of online calculators that show the contrary, but this was tested
extensively by the folks at ARRL and Joel even wrote an article in QST about
this.
I'll have to dig a bit to find the article again, but it was excellent.
If I don't find it, we can ask Joel. He monitors this reflector
occasionally.

However, having to retune in the middle of a net would indeed be a pain, so
the solution is to switch feedline type and use true openwire.  I would
recommend about 3 or 4 in. separation.  That should solve your problem.

73
Rick, DJ0IP


-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Wade Staggs
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 5:06 AM
To: rmcgraw at blomand.net; Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] TT 238C will not tune

I do the same Bob, except for the other morning. You were correct about the
2:1 efficiency when that darn 450 ohm stuff gets wet. It just bothers me to
see the SWR Meter bouncing up like that. For the others ... When I call the
Tennessee Phone Net .. Morning Session .. it is just that time of morning
when the Sun is rising to burn off the moisture/morning dew. So, about 20
minutes into my Net, the SWR changes on my antenna/feedline. If, I had the
room ... there would be a dedicated and Coax fed Dipole just for 3.980 KHz.
Any other Net and I could avoid the small window of time each morning that
gives this problem.
Ten Tec Product Idea !!!!!! Why doesn't Ten Tec come up with an Analyzer
that does not look like a Square Box? Something with a switch set-up that is
a cool looking Console, that could be switched into and out of circuit.
Or better yet .... Built into an antenna tuner Manual of course. So that
when the Dummy Load is selected to tune the Amp .... You can also Set the
SWR/Match on your Antenna. I hate the looks of the Coax Switch and Big Box
look of the Analyzer on the desk but, it gets the job done without major
carrier signals one the air and making one heck of a racket.
                  There you go Ten Tec.... A New Product that helps the
operator and cuts down on the noise pollution of the bands... Please, send
my check to the QRZ address of my call.... Hi Hi ...

73 de Wade/KJ4WS

On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 1:24 PM, Robert Mcgraw <rmcgraw at blomand.net> wrote:

> Wade, I fully agree.  A station must have or have available some type 
> antenna analyzer.  Otherwise, one is mostly "flying in the dark by the 
> seat of their pants".
>
> I always use my analyzer to make all tuner adjustments, therefore  I 
> never use carrier to tune.  I also use a dummy load to tune the amp 
> thus the tuner is set correctly and the amp is tuned correctly and no 
> signal put on the air.
>
> And as a courteous operator, no QRM generated.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> > *When I have a problem such as this, the MFJ Analyzer comes in real 
> > handy.
> > So much better than trying to tune up with the radio. Work your way 
> > up or down from a frequency that will tune well and you should find 
> > the sweet spot. Have you tried adding or shortening the Coax/Feed 
> > Line by a small amount? On one installation we had to leave an 8 
> > foot section of RG-213 in circuit to get things to match. Later the 
> > fellow raised the antenna by 20 feet and the Coax was no longer 
> > needed. Finding the correct match can be daunting. Best of luck to 
> > you. 73 .....*
> > *                                               Wade/KJ4WS*
> >
> > On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 12:52 AM, Richards <jrichards at k8jhr.com> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> On 7/27/2013 7:15 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> >>   Now if the inductance is maximum value then
> >>
> >>> it is very apparent where Z should be located, either on the input 
> >>> of L or the output of L.  I believe it general practice to start 
> >>> with maximum inductance for adjustment of any L network.
> >>>
> >>
> >> ______________________________**_______________
> >>
> >>
> >>         Hmmm...  so it appears the instruction manual
> >>         does not describe the best approach?  I understood
> >>         the user manual to say I should start with zero
> >>         on the Inductor, and the Capacitor at around 2.
> >>
> >>         In contrast, based on your description, it appears
> >>         I would be better off starting with the inductor in
> >>         the middle - away from either end - and that starting
> >>         there will make it more obvious what initial capacitor
> >>         setting to select on the BYPASS switch.  I know that
> >>         is not "maximum" - but it would assure that I started
> >>         working against a substantial inductance, rather
> >>         than zero.
> >>
> >> Or... have I misunderstood?
> >>
> >> ---------- Thanks - K8JHR  -----------------------
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --.
> >> ______________________________**_________________
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> >> TenTec at contesting.com
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> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec>
> >>
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> >
>
>
> --
> Disclosure:
> I am a Tentec Ambassador and compensated according to the Tentec 
> Ambassador plan. I serve as a volunteer beta test person for the Omni
> VII, Eagle and Argonaut VI products.   Otherwise, I hold no business or
> employment interest with Tentec.
>
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