[TowerTalk] SWR Readings

[Robert Chudek - K0RC]

Hello Ralph...

Here's a listing of FM and AM broadcast stations in your area:

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=Waite+Park&state=MN&x=0&y=0

The *KXSS *AM 1390 signal (2,500 Watts day/ 1,000 Watts night) looks 
pretty close to you, on your NW path to Japan, across the Quarry Park 
Nature Preserve:  Google Map *KXSS*: http://goo.gl/maps/ehU4u

The *KNSI *AM 1450 (1,000 Watts) is across town, to the east about 3 
miles:  Google Map *KNSI*: http://goo.gl/maps/ga3wQ

I suspect the KXSS signal is the source of the problem.

This map should show both you (*B*) and KNSI (*A*) on one map:  
http://goo.gl/maps/MOL2G

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN

------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 8/21/2012 3:10 PM, Robert Chudek - K0RC wrote:
> Hello Ralph...
>
> I concur with Don, VE6JY's observations.
>
> I have the AEA HF Analyst meter. When I tried using it at field day it 
> went "wild", sometimes plotting reasonable VSWR graphs and other times 
> (same antenna, no change except to rescan a second time) it went 
> "nuts" with odd readings. Soon I related the behavior to the other 
> guys keying CW and testing the SSB stations in other tents. The meter 
> worked fine as long as they were not transmitting.
>
> There are BC Band filters that can be inserted inline. But I don't 
> know whether this would affect the VSWR readings you are trying to 
> make. Here's one of those (receive only) filters for $65: 
> http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/bcb_filters_top1.htm
>
> Hopefully others will comment whether they have used these and if it 
> solves the measurement consistency issue you are seeing. My qth is 
> pretty isolated from any local BC energy so I have not tried one of 
> these myself.
>
> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> On 8/20/2012 10:09 PM, Don Moman VE6JY wrote:
>> if you have significant energy from local broadcasting stations, it will
>> overwhelm the broad band circuitry
>> and elevate the readings.  I am over 80km from the nearest broadcast
>> station but the MFJ type of analyser  is almost pinned on any of the 160
>> meter dipoles here.  It's OK on 80m and up.
>>
>> 73 Don
>> VE6JY
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 3:04 AM, Jim Brown<jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>wrote:
>>
>>> On 8/20/2012 7:42 PM, Ralph Fedor wrote:
>>>> Why is that?  Which should I believe?
>>> I would expect differences relating to the quality of the SWR circuit
>>> and it's calibration.
>>>
>>> As a wise man once said  -- "a man who has two watches never knows what
>>> time it is."  :)
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
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