[VHFcontesting] Need help with Cushcraft A50-3S - high SWR

[ejh]

I have a new Cushcraft A50-3S, 6 mtr beam, and I am having trouble getting the SWRs down.
I measured multiple times the element lengths and set them to the 50 Mhz sizes.
I then set the gamma match to the exact sizes shown in the manual, (set and X) but even installed on my roof away from all objects the SWR was very high, way too high for my transceivers. I kept adjusting the gamma match and the only way I could get SWRs down low enough to work with my rigs was to make it as short as possible with the small rod pushed all the way inside the larger rod. But even then the SWRs were well above 2 at 50.125 mhz? I have worked with it for many hours and I am unable to figure out how to adjust the gamma match correctly.
This is replacement for a damaged A50-3 I had for years, did not have problems with the old one.  The gamma match on the new one is different, on the new gamma match the small rod does not make contact with the larger tube it slides into.  I tried two different, new lmr-400 coax runs, no change.
I sent email to Cushcraft/MFJ but they have not answers previous emails, so don’t suspect I will hear from them.  Any help would be appreciated.   Thanks
Emory 
WM3M