[TowerTalk] Tuning Antennas with the MFJ-259

[Dick Dievendorff]

I think many of us tune antennas at or near ground, and then put them up,
and find that the resonant frequency changes with height. I write down the
values on the ground and at altitude, then bring it down again and estimate
what the on-ground setting should be to cause it to resonate where I want it
to when it's put up again.  Usually that's good enough.  If you keep
reasonable records sometimes you can avoid an extra trip up and down.

If you can hoist the antenna at all, temporarily, then maybe your trips up
and down can be made more easily.

Low band antennas sometimes hear enough AM broadcast signals that it's
difficult to tune an antenna near the BC band with any analyzer.  I often
use a small transmitter. 

Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of AD5VJ Bob
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 11:55 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Tuning Antennas with the MFJ-259

I am looking at getting an MFJ antenna analyzer and would like to ask the
group (because I am sure there are many users of the
analyzer here) three things:

1. Can you tune an antenna while it is not erected, like laying on a work
table with this analyzer, or do you have to have it
installed and in place first and can you tune it with the coax hooked up or
do you have to be at the antenna.

2. Is there that big a difference between the 259 and the 259b to warrant
one over the other?

3. Can you tune a BEV three feet off the ground with one of these?

Thanks for your help,
Bob AD5VJ

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