[TowerTalk] A3S Tuning Question

[Jack Brindle]

It i difficult to install A3 traps backwards, but they certainly can  
be installed in the wrong place. A good Gate Dip Oscillator will tell  
you which is which.

I have an original A3 (not S) that has seen the original hardware  
replaced with stainless stuff. The dimensions in the original  
direction sheet are slightly different than the A3S models - the  
current dimensions are the better ones to use. The lengths of the  
reflector and director will be noted in the driven element SWR - I  
found it best to set the lengths as they are shown in the manual. I  
also have had difficulties getting  the 40 meter add-on kit to tune  
properly with my antenna because of differences in the reflector and  
director to what was actually needed.

It is also possible that a trap can go bad; replacements are available  
from Cushcraft if need be. The folks there are also quite helpful.  
There is a rework sheet on the web that describes how to rework an A3,  
including the trap resonant frequencies. Googling for A3S should find  
it.

The antenna works quite nicely, I have enjoyed mine for quite a while  
even though I am stuck on a small city lot with height restrictions  
(30 feet).

On Mar 18, 2009, at 7:13 PM, Bill Aycock wrote:

>
> Mike is probably right.  I was  lucky with the one I got (used) The  
> guy who
> disassembled mine left the traps connected on one of the tubes, to  
> avoid
> errors. (and save work)
>
> Bill-W4BSG
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael Ryan" <mryan001 at tampabay.rr.com>
> To: "'Bill Aycock'" <billaycock at centurytel.net>; "'mrlogs'"
> <mrlogs at verizon.net>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] A3S Tuning Question
>
>
>> I wonder if this a NEW antenna or a used one?  If this is a USED  
>> one, one
>> sure way of driving yourself to drinking is to have the TRAPS in  
>> the wrong
>> place.  CUSHCRAFT in their infinite wisdom does not indelibly mark  
>> their
>> traps. It is remarkably easy to get them mixed up. ( HyGain used to  
>> put a
>> label/tag on theirs that would last for decades). If you are not
>> ABSOLUTELY
>> sure that the traps are in the correct order and on the right  
>> element, and
>> perhaps even FACING the right way, you might look at that.  Just a
>> thought...  - Mike
>>
>> -----
>
>
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- Jack Brindle, W6FB
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