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Buck
Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 7:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

just wondering if there is a way to test this antenna.. My swr are extremly high(above 3) and my coax seems to be fine (.02 ohms on the center and on the shield)Its mounted on a bracket on the peak of the house just above my tv antenna and grounded to the lightning ground on the house. Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
Buck
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Marconi
Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 6:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey buck, are you calibrating your OHM's meter when you check the line. Your line should show ZERO ohms, not even a fraction, of resistance when checking integrity. You also cannot properly read resistance of an antenna with a simple OHM's meter. If you are reading the antenna load through your line, it should show either open or short, depending on the feed point design.

I am not exactly sure but IMHO, if you OHM out the Super Big Stick, I believe you should show an open, no meter reading. I believe that the Big Sticks are simple vertical dipole radiators, that have a piece of coax (mini 8) going up from the feed point at the bottom to the top of the first section, where the coax shield is either attached to nothing or to some similar shield material inside the bottom section of fiberglass all the way back to the bottom, which could be aluminum foil in there as well. In this antenna the coax center conductor continues up to the top section where it is insulated from the bottom section somehow, thus making a center fed antenna. This is, of course, assuming the antenna is a two piece antenna with both pieces about the same length 8'-9' or there abouts.

If, on-the-other-hand, your SB Stick is a three piece deal, then it is probably like the A99 (matching coil inside) and should show a short when reading OHM's at the SO-239, threads to center conductor. If this is the case then the difference between the BS and the A99 may only be, the A99 has variable tuning and maybe the BS is fixed.

What do you think?

Marconi
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Buck
Posted on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 7:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I dont know....Im about sick of working on this dumb thing..I took the big stick down last night but havent had a chance to look at it..the fiberglass is peeling away some but i dont know if that means anything..ANYWAY i did find some different coax that im going try to use and see if that makes a difference.i put up my 102" whip in place of the bs and it seems to work a little better but my swrs are still a little high(2.5:1) If it comes down to it what is the best antenna to buy. Dont have alot to spend so id like to keep it under 100$ or so.
Thanks
Buck
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Bullseye
Posted on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 10:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lookin open forum under post "Imax200 or Army big stick" lots of ideas there
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Highlander
Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 8:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Use gloves to handle that thing if the fiberglass is decaying--I learned that one the hard way....
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Marconi
Posted on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 9:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck, I can't explain your high SWR's but for the FG coming off the antenna, just paint it with a nice heavy coat of clear coat, good a new.

Marconi
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Techhead
Posted on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck,

I would check the meter you are using before going nuts with trying everything else.

Tech Head
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Karatebutcher
Posted on Saturday, July 06, 2002 - 9:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Buck I to have the big stick, it is a two piece pole, I have had it for 27 years now and it shows good low swr, it also is pealing with the f.g. so I sprayed painted it black to also hide in the tree, it again is as good as new.

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