Topband: Vertical SWR problem

[JSimon at GrahamDunn.com]

<IMHO it might be just a problem of SWR-measurement... because of the
inevitable stray pick up of the relatively long vertical I'd never try to
match a low band vertical using an MFJ-type SWR-bridge, but by a
reflectometer-type SWR-meter at the input of the ATU (i.e. at the base of
the vertical) using just enough power for reliable readings...
presumably, Jim has meanwhile solved the problem after so much good advice!?
regards

Uli, DJ2YA>


Uli,

Just to close the loop on this issue, I'm both delighted and embarrassed to report that the SWR problem with the Titanex V160S vertical turned out to be very simple to fix. Without thinking much about it, at the time I added more radials, I had also shortened the wire connecting the tuning unit to the vertical, on the theory that it was best to keep all connections as short as possible. Pete, N4ZR, made a comment to me which got me thinking, so I went back out and lengthened the connection between the tuning unit and the antenna, and the end result of that process was an SWR of 1.1:1 at 1825 khz. It was a pretty elementary mistake, so I felt more than a little dumb, but at least that problem was solved.

By the way, the MFJ measuring device worked fine, giving me very accurate readings as to the resonant point. From the comments of others, I gather I was lucky there were no nearby sources of interference to distort the results, but in any event it work according to specs.

That's the good news. The bad news is that despite an optimum SWR, plus 32 radials (most 130', with some shorter ones at the suggestion of George, K8GG), the vertical is producing some very disappointing results. There are a number of possible reasons -- the vertical is only about 40' from the tower (that's the best I can do, given the size of our property), there are trees all around the vertical, and the ground is probably somewhat lossy -- but the bottom line is that while I am hearing very well, I am not being heard well at all, even with an amplifier. I'll try more radials, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to duplicate the performance of the Titanex verticals that I heard being used on dxepeditions (of course, they were in salt water) that caused me to want to use this vertical. 

73, Jim  W1YY/7

-----Original Message-----
From: topband-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Ulrich Weiss
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 8:16 AM
To: KEN SILVERMAN; topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Vertical SWR problem





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