[TowerTalk] Glass mount antenna problem
Bob Allen
mcamp at gmavt.net
Wed Oct 6 20:58:50 EDT 2004
Hate to even say I'm trying to put in a glass mount 2m - 70 cm antenna
on my wife's car but I am.
Here is the problem, I installed the antenna and couldn't adjust the
reflected power down at all so I assumed that the window was tinted with
metal film, removed the antenna from the glass and stuck the coupler and
antenna together and guess what?? I got the same reflected power as when
it was mounted on the glass, it also gives the same reflected power if
the coupler is removed from the antenna. The thing that makes the
reflected power get even worse is to remove the coax from the coupler.
I can't RF test the coax as the coupler end fitting is one that I don't
have the adapter for (TNC I think), I removed the cover of the coupler
and found magnet wire with (3) 1/4" turns of 16-18 gauge with one end
connected to the center pin of the TNC?? and the other end connected to
one end of a variable cap.?? which has the other end soldered to a
small plate of brass, I suppose this is the plate that
transmits/recieves the signals from the antenna.
The question here is, what could be missing that is causing this antenna
not to work, lets face it the parts count is low so I'm wondering if
something obvious is missing, it is brand new but can't be returned as
it sat on the shelf for 3 years before being installed.
Sorry I don't have the model number but it is a PRO-AM that was marketed
by Radio Shack.
The reflected power was 1.7w with forward about 5w.
Bob
KB1FRW
More information about the TowerTalk
mailing list