I wanted to see what the SWR measurement and reflected power was showing
between the tuner and antenna since I knew there was some mismatch there and
validate what my antenna analyzer was showing.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:53:32 AM CDT, DAVID ELY via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
I must admit to a bit of confusion as to why the SWR meter was placed between
the tuner and the antenna. ???Normally, it would be between the tuner and the
radio to show the SWR being presented to the radio.
Dave -N5EKW On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:35:43 AM CDT, Chad Kitzmann via
BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
I don't have a dummy load, but have one on order so I can check to see if it
is the radio or more work needs to be done. I will say that I found quite a
few articles on QRZ of owners with the 857d saying if your getting 40 watts ssb
that's all it will do. As far as the watt meter its fairly new and I have only
used it for VHF and its been pretty accurate so far.
https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/ft-857d-with-low-power-output-on-ssb.219185/
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:08:55 AM CDT, Rick Hiller via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
Chad,
Are you driving a 50 ohm dummy load? It would be best to do so.
Are you confident that your watt/SWR meter is correctt at HF freqs?
When testing like this, having known references for test gear is important.
Rick -- W5RH
On Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 9:56 AM Chad Kitzmann via BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
I wanted to provide a quick update on what I have found and what I have done
thus far. I had some time on Sunday afternoon and realized that my MFJ-849
wattmeter had the ability to do HF, so I plugged it in between the tuner and
the antenna and did some testing. On key up at 100 watts ssb I was lucky if I
could get the meter past 9 watts (just talking it was around 5 and if i
whistled it would hit 9) with an SWR of 1.2 and very little reflected power
showing on the meter. I checked the SSB mic gain (I had it at 25 - factory is
50) and I checked the Processor setting (it as at 50 - factory setting is 50).
After some searches I ended up doing a factory reset on the 857d and was able
to get the transmit power on SSB @100 to at least come up to about 65 watts if
I whistle and average around 40 watts normally talking. Doing some more
research it seems as though the ALC on this rig is a bit wonky and seems to
like to cut power. I'm still playing with it but I think it may be time to
step up to something else.
On Saturday, October 17, 2020, 05:28:38 AM CDT, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
Wanted to thank you all for your help so far and taking the time to reply.
I’m working this weekend and this week looks rainy but I’ll try to move the
tuner out there since it’s battery powered and give it a try. I like the idea
behind this and with only 100 watts keeping losses down to minimum makes
perfect sense.
Rick as far as the balun goes unfortunately terms get interchanged - DX refers
to it as a 1:1 but it’s a choke that mounts on the antenna base to keep the
cable feeding the antenna from becoming another radial - at least that’s the
theory behind it. I’ve run it both ways - with and without - and it was the
same result. If you think adding one going up the wall would be a good idea I’m
happy to build one and do that as well. I definitely don’t want rf coming in
the house and so far I have not seen any issues. Also, I am running the tuner
because 80 on both antennas is pretty narrow banded being coil loaded.
Jimmy I spent the summer laying down about 1000 feet of radials for the
vertical in as much of a 360 degree pattern as I could. It’s pretty narrow
banded on 80 being coil loaded so that’s why I run the tuner, but on the rest
of the bands I could probably get away without it based on my swr’s.
I’ll also try and get some pictures of my setup posted on Sunday after work.
- Chad
On Oct 16, 2020, at 11:20 PM, Rick Hiller <rickhille...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Chad,
I have read thru all of your notes and the responses. Looks like you got alot
of help, so I will limit my comments.
Not sure why you have a 1:1 Balun at the feed point of the 6BTV. If anything
it should be an unun, but just running coax directly to the vertical is an OK
move. I would however place a choke of some sort in the feedline right where
it runs up the wall on the outside of your house. This will eliminate any
antenna currents flowing on the LMR that runs parallel to the radials. This
current could cause problems in the shack if left un-choked. As a secondary
precaution, placing a choke on the feedline right where it enters the shack is
another good practise, just incase some common mode current is generated on the
feedline as it runs thru the attic, etc.
If you have tuned your vertical with your MFJ 269 then why do you have a tuner
in your shack? You should run without the tuner -- tuner in bypass mode..
Same comment on the 80 meter Inv V. If tuned to 3910, why the tuner? Unless
you are running more than 100 KHz from the sweet spot. You should be doing
well into the Rag Chew net with your INV V at the height you have it..
Reconfirm that your antennas are tuned to the freqs you want. Lowest SWR
reading as close to the antenna feedpoint as you can. Then make sure your
transmission line is providing the maximum power out from your xcvr.
I hope you have a separate SWR power meter at your station, so you can see just
how much power the xcvr is putting out. This is pretty critical to be able to
see this.
I read that it seems that both antennas are having a problem of some type. As
Jeff suggests, testing your transmission lines for maximum power transfer to
the antennas is a good step to take and provide you with a bit of confidence in
your installation. There are a few ways to do this with dummy loads and watt
meters being switched around.
Keep us all posted on your testing and system checkout. You'll get there for
sure.
GL and 73....Rick -- W5RH
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On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 6:56 PM Chad Kitzmann via BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
I’ve been a Ham since 2017 and have an 857d. Running a multi fan dipole from
2017 until I had to cut the tree down it was in in 2019 I had dismal contacts
with anyone on 80, 40, and 20.
Covid gave me some time to be at home and I setup a Hustler 6BT and have it
tuned with my MFJ 269c. I know it’s a solar minimum but I’ve made very few
contact. I can hardly reach the Texas Traffic Net and I try each day. I might
get a check in 2 times a month. I have yet to be able to check into the 3.910
Wednesday net. I can hear everyone but no one can hear me.
I recently built an 40/80 meter coil dipole that is an inverted v that’s 18
feet at the center and 6 feet at the ends - nobody hears me with 100 watts -
even the 3.910 net.
Is 100 watts just too little these days? Should I be looking to buy an amp. It
seems people with higher power are the only only people who get heard. It’s
very discouraging. I can hear them - just can work them. :(
- Chad
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--
Rick Hiller e-mail: rickhiller73@gmail.comCell:
832-474-3713Physical: 9031 Troulon Drive Houston, TX 77036
________________________________________________
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--
Rick Hiller e-mail: rickhiller73@gmail.comCell:
832-474-3713Physical: 9031 Troulon Drive Houston, TX
77036________________________________________________
Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
BVARC mailing list
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________________________________________________
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________________________________________________
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http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
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