| Author |
Message |
    
Bullseye
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 10:06 pm: | 
|
Man ain't putting a unit back together fun. Just wondering if anyone runs a meter between the radio and amp cause I thought it would be a good idea to monitor power and swr on either side of the amp. I was thinking of using the Syncron for this any opinions good bad or otherwise? As I am putting this back together I am finding more and more I want to do with it. |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 12:14 am: |
|
OK OK OK Here's what I want to do I just want to know if I'm overdoing it or not. I am planning on setting up like this- Melaka-Syncron-KLV250&1000 (NOT AT THE SAME TIME)-Astatic 600-Workman Filter-Maco V58. I am going to be using the RG8U coax that copper sells between it all with Amphenol connectors and each piece individually grounded to an 8ft gound rod. My question is will this be OK-to much-not enough??????????? |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 8:23 am: |
|
Sounds OK to me,but varying the length of the coax on either side of the meters will change your reading,I suggest you post in ASK-THE-TECH,for specific lengths.I would make the connection between the melaka and synchron as short as practicable,then adjust the length of the other jumpers for minimum swr with the amp on or off,it will take some time but I did this and it is very rewarding.With my amp off swr is 1.12 to 1,with amp on,1.17 to 1.It took me 6-hours to find the best combo,but I'm satisfied.This is on 40 on 1 the swr goes up about .3 points for each,not bad,not bad at all. |
Ironmask
| | Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2003 - 5:17 pm: |
|
Bullseye
I totally agree with your thinking with these sugustions, found over years of trial and more error.
1. Ground each and every item in your shack Ie: Radio, meters, Low pass filter[connected directly to the back of the amp with double male] amp. I recommend using a 1/2" thick wall copper pipe squeezed flat. I run a 3' piece at the back of the shelf. You drill holes in it to accomodate sheet metal screws use for each connection including the solid wire connection from pipe buss to the 8' ground rod. This helps arresr any and all stray RF as well as protecting each item.
2. I use a 1' 100% shield jumper from radio to first meter.
3. I use 6' 100% shield jumpers between al other items.
4. I run 72' 100% shield coax from low pass filter to antenna with NO bends or coils.
This set up gives me a 1 to 1 SWR across all channels.
Hope this is of some help. |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2003 - 7:13 pm: |
|
Bullseye
You did it right. About the only thing I would change is the filter. If you're not causing any TVI or getting into any thing else without the filter, then why bother to have it in line.
You can also do what Bob suggested and go through the "trial and error" of coax tuning but that's a long drawed-out process. I have come to the conclusion that our big guy Bob probably doesn't sleep well nights if his SWR is over a 1.3. "Just kidding BigBob."
Anything under a SWR of 2 to 1 is exceptable, Bull. No one on the receiving end can tell if you are keying into a SWR of 1.2 or a 1.8, but a lot of people strive to get it as low as possible.
At a 2 to 1 SWR, you have only lost about 1/10th of RF power. In other words, if you have a radio that dead-keys 10 watts into a perfect 1. nothing to 1 dummyload, it will dead-key around 9 watts into a 2 to 1 SWR.
73s Bull.
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 6:38 pm: |
|
One last question. How should I check and set the SWR's with the way this is set up. |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 11:02 pm: |
|
No,the swr just turned out that way on the third try.Check your swr with radio,then turn on amp and check it again,remember to reset the meter to check,higher watts means higher volts. |
|
