| Author |
Message |
    
Sodapop
Intermediate Member
Username: Sodapop
Post Number: 186
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 2:21 pm: | 
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Well as some of you know, I have my SkyLab antenna up. And I have been trying to find a place for the radio, somewhere in the house. Well today was a beautiful day, and I decided to check the ant out. See if the SWR was ok.
Why? Well last fall I had it up, but the SWR was high on the SWR meter on the radio. But the snow came, and money was tight. But I have external SWR meter now. So I hooked up both my 4900 and 2950DX. Checked the SWR with the ones built into the radios. As well as with my new SWR meter. I couldn't get anything lower then 3.1! Not a good sign.
So now I have to take down the antenna, no small project, and check it.
Or I may take it down, replace it with an A99 and new coax. And when I get the time, take a closer look at my SkyLab. Either way, once again I am going to have to go without my hobby. We're on month 6 of no CB, I think I may be having withdrawl signs.
If you dream about DXing, is that a bad sign?! *G*
Anyways, I had to share my pain, and now I may go see what antennas Copper's has to offer me! |
Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346
Post Number: 713
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 6:42 pm: |
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Check to make sure your coax is not kinked or a sharp turn somewhere first... |
Kwick_73
Junior Member
Username: Kwick_73
Post Number: 39
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 3:02 am: |
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I have a Sky-Lab, The conection to the antenna is rather tight, you really have to crank this down,make sure you do so. My SWR on mine is like a 1.1 or less
Kevin
Golden Eagle
BT-073 |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1161
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 7:54 am: |
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my sky lab was cut for 52.525 and had a SWR of 1.2/1 UNTILL lighting got it..... RIpeaces. |
Ozzie
Intermediate Member
Username: Ozzie
Post Number: 178
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 9:12 am: |
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Been there Bruce. In 88 my TV antennas got hit by lightning, at the same time as a second strike ran down the power feed to the house. Several melted lights, one blown computer (not plugged in BUT wallpaper was metal backed and become live and transformer effect into computer) and an undamaged TV. However we had two tv antennas (VHF-Lo and VHF/UHF) fed into a tin plate boxed coupler. The box was still in place but no contents and never did find teh lid, the first 2 ft of coax (RG-6) was missing the inner conductor and the mast had a 3/4" hole in it. |
Lowpowerhal
Intermediate Member
Username: Lowpowerhal
Post Number: 202
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 9:37 am: |
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Bruce I know what you mean about lighting hitting them and peaces.My antron 99 was hit.Just curious about cutting the skylab down for 6 meter band.Did you just get the hack saw out and cut it to almost 10 feet? If so what did you put on cut end a cap or some kind or some kind of fiberglass glue? |
Lowpowerhal
Intermediate Member
Username: Lowpowerhal
Post Number: 203
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 9:56 am: |
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Sodapop did you have a watertight conection? Iv seen this happen a lot of times. If moisture gets in the conection the swr will go up. |
Sodapop
Intermediate Member
Username: Sodapop
Post Number: 187
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:04 pm: |
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I will be checking the connection when I take it down. To make sure the coax is on tight, and no water has gotten to it. I will post what happens when I get ready to do the change over. |
Moderator558
Moderator
Username: Moderator558
Post Number: 191
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:06 pm: |
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GO WITH THE COAX CHECK FIRST Make sure the connections are good and the coax has not been "PINNED" or shorted or kinked it happens. Look at the connection to the antenna, did you put coax tape around it? make sure there isnt any corrosion. Did you have the coax zip tied to the mast for strain relief on the antenna? it could have pulled itself apart from the coax |
Sodapop
Intermediate Member
Username: Sodapop
Post Number: 188
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:45 pm: |
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I did have it zip tied to the mast. The next step is to check the coax at the base of the ant. Then new coax. After all that, I may need a new ant. As soon as I can swing some "fun money", I'll be looking into it. But a few spring projects around th house have to be done. My birthday is in May, maybe by then! *G* |
