[TowerTalk] KT-34 XA Problems

[RTTYMAN at aol.com]

Hello All:
 
I have not been active since the VU4 folks provided the final  country I 
needed to "have 'em all worked." Now, there are 2 "new ones" I need.  Having had 
some previous problems with obvious higher than normal SWR, I  had arcing in 
the Amp. that partially melted the tuning capacitor plates &  some other 
components, as well as arcing in my tuner in addition to the tuner  NOT able to tune 
out the high SWR. The combination of equipment (Amp. &  tuner) has been the 
same for years. The Coax was replaced about 5-7 years ago. I  previously melted 
the original Balun supplied with the XA. A M2 Balun replaced  the original 
one. I brought the antenna down & re-checked ALL measurements  before putting it 
back in the air, long ago. It has served well enough (thanks  to almost always 
having to use a tuner) over the years to have 'em all worked  & confrimed, 
previously.
 
Recalling the arcing problems I had previously, I checked the XA the other  
day with a
MFJ-259 B & discovered the following resonant frequencies where a SWR  
reading of 1.1:1 exists except on 10 Meters where the lowest SWR reading  obtainable 
was 1.6:1.
 
20 Meters resonant at 16.4 MHz.
 
15 Meters resonant at 20.7 MHz.
 
10 Meters resonant (lowest point to resonance) at 28.4
 
The 2:1 SWR range width is as follows:
 
20 M - 335 KHz
 
15 M - 170 KHz
 
10 M - 1.01 MHz (there is also a 3.5 MHz 2:1 SWR curve at 34.5 to 38.0  MHz)
 
The M 2 Balun is about three years old ... and the KT-34 XA itself has been  
in the air for the past twenty five (25) years! Despite its age, it has  
obviously worked well & is testimony to the original design and  materials used. 
This is certainly not a complaint about "not getting my monies  worth" over the 
purchase. Several matters & personal  limitations prevented bringing the 
antenna down sooner. It now appears  it is indeed time for a new tri-bander?
 
If anyone has any ideas as to why the resonance points have shifted so  
dramatically, I would appreciate the information. From ground level, using  
binoculars, all appears to my eyes to be just like it has been for years  & years. 
Birds of many species such as Red Tailed Hawks &  Crows have, over the past 25 
years, used the antenna as a stopping  point.
 
"Yes" ... I'm certain many of you will simply say "just go buy a new  
antenna. You've gotten more than your monies worth from that purchase 25  years ago". 
That sentiment is ever so true & I'm fully aware of that: thank  you.
 
Sarcasm & less than positive comments and/or information are neither  
invited, wanted, appreciated, or remotely desired. We can get enough  "contributors" 
IMO in those fields on other, "more than  controversial" matters on a myriad 
of subjects rather easily.
 
Thanks in advance to all who may reply & contribute in a positive  manner.
 
73 & Good DX.
 
Les, NN6K  (RTTY Forever)