Topband: Some experiments with a short beverage, not succeeding very well

[donovanf at starpower.net]

I'm hoping that Mark will share his VSWR measurements with us, 
otherwise he's asking for help but keeping us in the dark... 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Mike Waters" <mikewate at gmail.com> 
To: topband at contesting.com 
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 5:43:23 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Some experiments with a short beverage, not succeeding very well 

Hi Mark, 

After following this thread, and assuming that your coax connectors etc. 
are properly installed, I strongly suspect that you need to improve your RF 
earth ground. Its resistance is likely too high. 

Add some random-length ground radials, about 4 or 5 of them running from 
the rod in different directions and at least 25' to 50' long. No need to 
bury them, just staple them to the earth. 

You can also use the tried-and-true Army Signal Corps Epsom Salts method, 
even after you drive in another ground rod. Search the Topband Archives for 
"epsom", and check out 
https://web.archive.org/web/20181115070846/http://www.w0btu.com/Beverage_antennas.html#Beverage_antenna_grounds 
. 

Also, at the Beverage feedpoint: 
- Your coax shield should NOT be grounded to the ground rod and radials. 
- That shield should only be connected to one side of the 50 ohm winding 
of your 9:1 matching transformer. That is explained there in several 
places, especially near the bottom of that webpage. 

73, Mike 
W0BTU 

On Tue, Jun 30, 2020, 8:58 PM Mark Lunday <wd4elg at outlook.com> wrote: 

> Thanks everyone for the help and guidance. 
> 
> I am using the DX Engineering 9;1 transformer, brand new. I also tried 
> the KD9SV BOG 4:1 transformer but it was even worse. 
> 
> I shall attempt to utilize a pre-amp, and re-check all connections and 
> coax, and install the new ground rod, and utilize the antenna analyzer for 
> continuity. 
> 
_________________ 
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector