[TowerTalk] Flaky dipole

[MICHAEL BROWN]

Solid ladder line breaks pretty easy, stranded is more durable. Just another possibility.

73, Mike K9MI


> On August 1, 2016 at 10:27 AM Robie Elms <ruler55 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Tim,
> 
> I believe Wes is correct and you have a intermittent connection.  I have found breaks in the 450 ohm ladder line I use in a similar set up.  My line has copper clad steel conductors and it appears corrosion is the root cause. I perform a visual check when I see erratic behavior and repair or replace as necessary.
> 
> Robie. - AJ4F
> 
> > On Aug 1, 2016, at 08:33, Wes Attaway (N5WA) <wesattaway at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> > 
> > It sounds like a connection is loose somewhere along the line.  You probably
> > need to "wiggle" some things to see if you can cause a reproduction of the
> > problem.
> > 
> >   -------------------
> > Wes Attaway (N5WA)
> > (318) 393-3289 - Shreveport, LA
> > Computer/Cellphone Forensics
> > AttawayForensics.com
> >   -------------------
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> > Timothy Holmes
> > Sent: Monday, August 01, 2016 7:34 AM
> > To: ham-antennas at yahoogroups.com; Tower Talk; cq-contest at contesting.com
> > Subject: [TowerTalk] Flaky dipole
> > 
> > Hi folks. Sending this to multiple groups to gain expertise.
> > 
> > My primary dipole is acting strange.  Its 135 feet of wire up 40 feet.  Fed
> > with ladderline. As I am transmitting I noticevthe swr going from low to
> > high suddenly for a few seconds and then back.  Initially I thought it was
> > my auto tuner showing damage, butvI put an MFJ manual tuner in place and I
> > can clearly see it happening on the meter.  I dont think it is wind moving
> > the wire, as it was calm when it was happening.  The feed goes from the
> > rig, through the antenna switch to the tuner, then out the window via a
> > bulkhead connector and to the 4:1 balun via a 2 foot coax, and then to the
> > ladderline.
> > 
> > Any ideas on where to look for issues, and or testing methods?
> > 
> > Thanks
> > TIM
> > W8TAH
> > -- 
> > 
> > Tim Holmes - W8TAH
> > Sent from my LG Stylo
> > _______________________________________________
> > 
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