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Madigan
New member
Username: Madigan

Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 4:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I Just purchased a Top one ground plane Antenna, and im getting a very high swr 3.2:1, The antenna is in a tree where it must remain hidden since i am in a mobile home park, i heard that these antennas can be made adjustable for swr but i dont know how to do that, Can anyone help?
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Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 1046
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 8:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If put together correctly your match should
be very good. As long as your coax and connectors are good and your not getting any reflection.
I think Kid_Vicious wrote articles on the Top One.
Do a search to the left for Top One.
I had one up for about 3 months, SWRS were very
good. Make sure your antenna makes good contact
with your mast pipe. If not, that could cause
problems.... Maybe KId will see this and reply.

JIM/PA/CEF 375
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833

Post Number: 1120
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 11:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Make sure there IS a mast pipe. That is very important for the antenna match. The proximity of moist tree branches will change the SWR as well.

For treetop installations, I always suggest the fiberglass variety (A99, Imax, etc.).
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Kid_vicious
Advanced Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 933
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 9:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

when using the Top One; it is very, very, important to make sure that the top bracket makes a direct metal to metal contact with your mast. this means that you have to sand or grind off the zinc or paint.

also, you must make sure that the mast extends down at least 8.5 feet below the hoop, and that all mast sections are grounded together well.

also, make sure to run the coax down the mast for 8.5 feet below the hoop.

road worrior's suggestion is a good one. i spent a lot of time stting up my antenna and i still love it. the thread is called, "top one at 44' to the tip"
one other thing; the top section that has the horizontal whips running through it tends to be a bit hard to screw into the bracket, and if you dont get it all the way in, you will have SWR issues.
i used some dielectric grease from the auto parts store (the kind for spark plugs) and smeared it around the inside of the plasitc housing. it made screwing in the top section much easier.
good luck,
matt
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1861
Intermediate Member
Username: 1861

Post Number: 410
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 9:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

MATT IS SURE RIGHT , ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE TOP BEING SCREWED IN COMPLETLY . I PUT MINE UP ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IT DROVE ME NUTS UNTILL I DISCOVERED THIS . GREAT ANTENNA WHEN YOU GET IT RIGHT

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