[TowerTalk] Aging antennas

[bob finger]

I have an 80 meter 4square built for 3525 center.  I used high quality 
parts, LMR400, teflon connectors et all.  When it is raining/rained the 
initial swr reads about 2.1 to 1 on the wattmeter.  After a few minutes 
of use it settles down to 1.2 to 1.  Dump power stays exactly the same 
(which is the critical measurement of a 4square).  Why?  I don't have a 
clue.  Water on the elements maybe but I have never been able to 
determine because it settles in before I can do much testing.

I solved the problem by physically moving the wattmeter and setting the 
high swr trip switch to 2.5 to 1.  Now I don't see the wattmeter so 
easily. The dx on the other end never seems to know the difference.  73 
bob de w9ge

Bob Bogash wrote:

>I think it was Orson Wells who had a commercial that said "No wine 
>before its time."  Do your antennas age like fine wine?  
>  
>