[TowerTalk] Cushcraft D3W SWR Issue

[SERGE BERTUZZO]

Hello to the group! 

I've had a Cushcraft D3W rotatable dipole up for over a year and a half without a problem and really like the antenna. Following a very bad rain storm (tornados in the area) a couple of months ago, iIt developed a problem that I cannot seem to isolate. The antenna's SWR increases  after a rainfall but after a day or so of dry weather, the SWR falls back to normal. It is not a slight increase either. The usual SWR (BTW all 3 bands are affected ie. 30-17 and 12M) for 30 M for example is 1.3:1 and increases up to 4.2 - 4.8:1 after a rainfall. Then falls back to 1.3:1 after a day or so. I am feeding the antenna with a 1:1 balun and have checked to ensure that both the balun and coax are sealed properly and that the venting holes are on the bottom of the traps. Could water be getting into the end caps of the traps and causing the problem? Although the caps seem to be on properly and tight. Not quite sure what to look for? Anyone encountered a similar
 problem using any type of antenna?

Any advice / suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

73's

Serge
VA3SB