[TowerTalk] K9AY performance expectations/help

[Craig D. Smith]

Doug ...

I was going to suggest the same thing as Pete - common mode isolation.

I have a homebrew K9AY about 2/3 normal size due to space constraints here.
It is actually disguised inside an ornamental plum tree.  But it works fine,
with 15 to 20 db F/B from BCB thru 40 meters.  And is actually often a
better RX antenna on 30, 20 and 17 than my xmit vertical.  They are close
together (60 ft or so) and I'm sure there is some interaction, but not
enough to bother me.  I also have 8 short 8 ft radials under it in addition
to the single 4 ft ground rod.

I have both the coax and the control cable choked at the relay box at the
antenna and also 40 ft away just before they come into the house.  I'm using
several turns on type 31 ferrite.  If you can find/buy some clamp-on cores
in an appropriate material you can easily give this a try without any major
surgery on your setup.

73
         ... Craig  AC0DS