| Author |
Message |
    
Makitaman60
New member
Username: Makitaman60
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 6:23 pm: | 
|
I have just installed a new Maco V5/8 Antenna.The SWR is near perfect and this is with everything connected in this order starting with the antenna lead in.First to the antenna side of the SWR meter then out to antenna side of amp then out to radio.My question is when I turn the amp on is it normal for the SWR to change so much.It's changes from 1:1 to 1:3 when amp is powered up.If not will I have to retune the antenna for my set-up?
Thanks
Makitaman60
|
Kid_vicious
Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 64
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 7:26 pm: |
|
the way you are wording the swr readings is a bit misleading. the lowest theoretical swr is 1:1(1 to 1). you will never acheive this. most likely your swr is between 1.1:1 (1.1 to 1) and 1.5:1 (1.5 to 1). so are you saying that your swr rises from 1.1:1 to 1.3:1 with the amp on or does it go from 1.1:1 to 3:1? if its the first one, dont worry about it. its darn near perfect. if, however, it is rising to 3:1 with the amp on, there are a few places to start looking.
do you have another swr meter to check the readings against? this would eliminate the possibility of the meter being at fault. how many watts is the amp? that antenna should handle 1000 watts. did you use new coax? what kind? how well is the amp grounded? do a search on this forum for "grounding equipment". lon should have some good advice for you there. if its possible, take the amp and try it at a friends station that runs power and see if its the amp itself that is causing the problem. also, how close is the base of the antenna to your operating location? i'll try to help more but need more info.
matt |
Makitaman60
New member
Username: Makitaman60
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 8:08 pm: |
|
Thank's Kid!
Yea it's the first one.I just got everything hooked up today, and no the amp is not grounded yet it's just an old Amertron two tube that's been around a very long time.I got some more new equipment on the way and I'll be using this amp for just the driver (50W).I have new coax rg213 and the antenna I just got from copper.I have another amp on the way and just wanted to double check some things before I have a very expensive meltdown.I still haven't decided on the radio it's between the tr696fssb and the galaxy 2547 what do think would be the best the amps a 40012HD.Let me no what radio you think would be best.Thank's for the infomation.I haven't missed with the stuff in a while i'm still blowing dust out of some of it.Well thanks again!
Be waiting to hear from you.
Makitaman60 |
Chad
Junior Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 45
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 9:26 am: |
|
Makitaman,
I have a DX2547 and love it. Your mileage may vary depending on what you want to do. The 2547 does not take too kindly to channel mods, I don't know about the 696. The 2547 is in a smaller package. I have gotten good audio reports from the 2547 even with the stock mic. It's worth checking out if you want to go with 40 ch am/ssb. |
Makitaman60
New member
Username: Makitaman60
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 3:13 pm: |
|
Thank's Chad I'll check it out.I really like the TR696 and I've seen alot of good reports on the forum.
Thank's Again
Makitaman60 |
Kid_vicious
Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 66
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2004 - 10:52 pm: |
|
hey makitaman, i just sent you a PM about why i couldnt answer your questions by email. sorry. but after reading your post here, im willing to bet that the old amp you have is in need of some service. if you have the abilities, you should replace all the capacitors, all the tubes, and use contact cleaner an all the switches and knobs. that amp definitely needs to be grounded well! you should have a copper pipe on the back of your desk that has all of your radios and amps grounded to it, and a big thick wire going from the pipe to a ground rod. (not the cold water pipe of the house. the antenna should have its own ground rod that is at least 10 ft. away from the station ground rod. if thats not it, suspect a bad jumper cable. are you using any rg-58u or any coax that comes from rad shack? if so, throw it away so it will never frustrate you again. send me another PM with the specific details of your station. is the swr meter a cheapie? (rad shack). buy a good one from copper. good luck.
matt |
