[TowerTalk] Flaky dipole

[Tom Osborne]

Hi Tin

Wonder what kind of ladder line you are using.

Some of that stuff with the solid core wire corrodes pretty bad.  It is
copperweld and if you scrape off the copper, the steel under will rust.  I
had that problem here and the problem was that where the ladder line
connected to the antenna, it got really rusty and ugly.  Had to take it all
apart and clean it up good.  73 and GL

Tom W7WHY



> 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 noticed the swr going from low to
> high suddenly for a few seconds and then back.  Initially I thought it was
> my auto tuner showing damage, but I 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
>