[UK-CONTEST] Inverted V help

[G3RIR]

John,

I endorse Chris's suggestion about the MFJ analyser; they are brilliant. But
you possibly have other problems which that wouldn't even show.

Firstly get rid of the balun. Unless it really is a first class 1:1 balun it
will give nothing but trouble. Next avoid getting the tower up and down by
use of a halyard on the tower. Also I suggest halyards at each end the
antenna on to whatever end support you have managed to get.

You will find that the theoretical length of the wire is quite different
from the physical length you end up with. Probably the effect of bending the
ends or one end will be to make the effective length longer than expected ie
lower the resonant frequency.  Also the ends near the ground will lengthen
the antenna ie make the resonant frequency lower than expected.

You will find when you get it right that the 2:1 swr bandwidth will not be
more than 200 KHz and may be less so you won't cover the whole band without
added bits for the CW end which is what many of us use.

Stick with the V; it will work much better than a G5RV and you will be able
to get it to work without an atu, probably without even without the internal
atu.

An alternative to the MFJ is a dip meter or gdo as we used to call them.
They are not as easy to use as an mfj but can do the job.

Where are you located? I suspect too far for me to come and help. (Leics
Jnctn 20 M1)

73 de Neil, G3RIR