[TowerTalk] What's heating up ?

[Steve London]

I am experimenting with the N4KG reverse feed method for 160 meters on a 
tower with a lot of stuff already on it. I like the possibility that 
elevated radials will be an improvement over my terrible, dry, 
mountaintop ground characteristics.

As I transmit, the SWR creeps up, pretty significantly. Something is 
clearly getting warm.

Possibilities:

- I am matching the 160 feedline with an L-network (series L, shunt C). 
TLW says 7 amps through the capacitor, with 3 watts of dissipation. The 
capacitor measures 2200 pf, the usual transmitting capacitor, 
cylindrical, about 3/4" in diameter.

- The M2 balun feeding the 40 meter beam on the same tower. I monitored 
the SWR on the 40 meter beam while transmitting on 160. No change in 40 
meter SWR.

- The M2 balun feeding the KT-36XA on the same tower. I monitored the 
SWR on the KT-36XA while transmitting on 160. No change in KT-36XA meter 
SWR.

- Gamma match on homebrew 15 meter beam. Gamma match is just a piece of 
RG-8 dielectric/center conductor inside aluminum tubing.

Suggestions on how to troubleshoot this ? Start by disconnecting the 
feedlines to the baluns ? And once I determine which component is 
heating, what then ?

73,
Steve, N2IC