Topband: Pennant working?

[Tom Rauch]

> I built a pennant for 160 exactly per the K6SE articles and I purchased a
> K1FZ matching box.  I use a 50 bead decoupling assembly and feed it with
> about 75' of RG-8X....   It is so quiet I'm not sure it is working!!!!  It
> is pointed toward Europe and there were no stations to be heard last
> weeked except an IH9.  The CN8 was loud on every antenna....   Any
> comments on the pennant....  Is it really that quiet?

You should hear a definite increase in noise level on the narrowest 
selectivity you plan on using at the quietest time of the day you 
expect to operate when the antenna is connected.... as opposed to 
being replaced with a dummy load of the same impedance.

If your system does not pass that test, it has a problem that can 
cost you weak signal reception.
73, Tom W8JI
w8ji@contesting.com

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