| Author |
Message |
    
Wildchild
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 3:33 am: | 
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I just put up my Top One and checked the SWR and te readings are not what I expected out of it. It's 37 feet in the air now and there is no metal roof or any wires close to it. Here are the readings I got.
25.165 2.5 27.655 1.4
25.405 2.5 27.855 1.2
25.605 2.7 28.105 1.1
25.955 2.8 28.305 1.0
26.065 3.0 28.555 1.0
26.305 3.0 28.755 1.1
26.505 3.0 29.005 1.4
26.755 3.0 29.205 1.4
26.955 3.0 29.305 1.4
27.205 2.0 29.455 1.5
27.405 1.8 29.695 1.5
The coax Im using is 75 feet of 213 coax and ampehenol connectors. Im at a loss on this thing. I have taken it down and checked it over and set it back up and the same readings. I dont know what else to do with it |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 10:09 am: |
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If you have anything else in line like a watt meter or amp try using different lenghs of jumpers. It can bring your swr down close to where you want it. Your swr is not that bad looking at your cb and 10 meter measurements. A 2.0 is not really that bad. That is one of the swr myths. (I'll pay for that one.) Anyway, sounds like you might need to add a few feet of coax to get the cb swr down a little more, but it's more than safe as it is. Use coax in multiples of 3.
Before you tell anyone on the air what your swr is on 11 meters, see what kind of reports you get. I still say a 2.0 is not that bad.
mikefromms |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 10:11 am: |
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Wildchild, you might want to doublecheck your measurements with another swr meter to be sure it is the readings are accurate. BTW, I had similar problems with my AP. The coax has a lot to do with the swr on these antennas.
mikefromms |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 11:25 pm: |
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Wildchild
If you haven't done so already, take everything out of line except your SWR meter and then take your readings.
Here's another thing you can do. Unscrew the coax at the antenna and put a dummyload on that end of the coax and take a SWR reading. If it comes out to a 1.1:1 or less, then you know that your coax isn't the problem. Your problem then is with the antenna.
Also, take Mikes' suggestion and double-check the SWR with another SWR meter. There's always the possiblity that your meter may not be giving you a true reading.
Personally, I wouldn't own a antenna that can't be adjusted. I know a few people that have been down that road before.
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Tech833
| | Posted on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 8:33 pm: |
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Your measurements are not bad, just too low in frequency. Perhaps your coax may not be attached tightly against the support mast above the ring. Please make sure the coax is tight against the pole all the way from the connector and for at least a couple of feet below the ring. I get the same results when I allow the coax to dangle around inside the antenna cage.
BTW, the Top One can be adjusted. Cutting the top hat wires is one way. Bending the aluminum tubing so that it is closer or further apart from each other and the mounting pole is another way. I know, the instructions do not tell you that. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 167
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 10:56 am: |
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I didn't get my swr perfect until I mounted it on a 15 foot pole stuck up in the ground with no objects near it just earth underneath. Hind sight is truely 20-20. Knowing what I know now I wish I'd kept that antenna. When this antenna is set up right, it blows smoke. I promise it acts like it's 60 feet in the air when it's just 15 ft or less off the ground. After I stuck mine up in the yard 15 feet off the ground (to ring about 11ft) I had 3 offers to buy the antenna. I took one guy up on his offer. He hasn't put it up yet, but I have advised him to set it up just as I had it in the yard. He's planning on putting it up on a pole about 36' to replace an antron 99. Hope he is not disappointed.
mikefromms |
Wildchild
Junior Member
Username: Wildchild
Post Number: 15
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 11:59 pm: |
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Mike I got mine fixed and the SWR is about a 1.2 on 27.200. I have the feed point at 43 feet from the ground and it performs just like the old astro plane I use to have. It and my Magnum 257 seems to ba a good combination. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 184
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 10:13 am: |
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Wildchild, I've been wondering what changes you would observe going on up like you have with the AP. Can you notice a difference in it's transmit and receive at 43' from that of a lower height? Also, have you or can you give comparisons of the AP at over 36' to other g/p's? What's your take on this antenna compared to others in the market?
mikefromms |
