Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
Nevermind - I have it hooked between the radio and tuner. At one point I had pulled the tuner out to just test the radio to antenna when I was seeing the really low power. It was a long weekend at work and I'm still recovering. On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:53:26 AM CDT, DAVID ELY 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 -N5EKWOn Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:35:43 AM CDT, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 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 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 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 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
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
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 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 -N5EKWOn Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:35:43 AM CDT, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 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 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 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 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
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
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 -N5EKWOn Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:35:43 AM CDT, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 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 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 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 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.
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
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 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 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 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 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
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
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 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 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 73Rick -- W5RH > > > > >
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
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 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 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 73Rick -- W5RH | | Virus-free. www.avast.com | On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 6:56 PM Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
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 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 73Rick -- W5RH > > > > Virus-free. www.avast.com > >> On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 6:56 PM Chad Kitzmann via BVARC >> 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 >> >> >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> BVARC@bvarc.org >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > > -- > Rick Hiller > e-mail: rickhille...@gmail.com > Cell:832-474-3713 > Physical: 9031 Troulon Drive
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
What kind of radial field did you put down for the 6BTV? You should also be ab;e to adjust the antenna for each band for a fairly low SWR where you don't need an antenna match --jv On 10/16/2020 7:45 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC wrote: It’s a long run but no shorts. Using LMR400 with a run 8 feet up the wall, 20 feet across the attic, 8 feet down the outside wall and into a mfg lightning arrestor, then to 50 feet of lmr 400 buried in conduit to my 6btv that had a 1:1 balun before feeding the antenna. I’ve checkEd with an ohm meter and everything is good - no shorts. Inside I have my 857d to my z-100 to my feed point which goes up the wall to the description above. - Chad On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:35 PM, Jonathan Guthrie via BVARC wrote: Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. "The proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a field strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your antenna, that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its power. 100 watts is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. You might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, I used to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check that by unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center conductor in the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would Chris Luppens On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC wrote: Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft. He often has a strong signal into Houston on 3910 kHz. Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. David K5HEC On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org -- Jonathan Guthrie ARS KA8KPN Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
Thos is my opinion as well. Get a field strength meter, measure your output now. Move the radio and tuner to the feed point, rinse, repeat. The result will give you empirical loss on your feed line, sans VNA. Then report back? - KJ Anderson 253-380-2636 www.linkedin.com/in/scrumnerd<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/fdjAC2krXlhpLqmoH1kHNi?domain=linkedin.com> From: Jeff Greer via BVARC Sent: Friday, October 16, 2020 9:32 PM To: Chad Kitzmann; BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Cc: Jeff Greer Subject: Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help Any chance of moving the tuner to the feedpoint? With the tuner in the shack, it's making the match on the across the coax from where the mismatch actually is - at the antenna feedpoint - and you'll still be facing some coax loss. With the tuner at the feedpoint of the antenna, you should experience almost no coax loss. This may not be your issue, but might be worth giving a shot one evening when the weather permits... From: BVARC on behalf of Chad Kitzmann via BVARC Sent: Friday, October 16, 2020 8:03 PM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Cc: Chad Kitzmann ; Jonathan Guthrie Subject: Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help I dont have a ground on the ATU as I am in the middle of my house and would have to run one the same length of the coax I have to get outside - 40 plus feet up a wall and through my attic to my bonded ground outside where my lightning arrestor is. But on a 12 volt DC system for my radio and with 9 AA batteries running my ATU do I honestly need one? What would be the difference if i was running outside off battery? On Friday, October 16, 2020, 07:51:49 PM CDT, Clint Davidson via BVARC wrote: Here's something I learned from some more experienced operators a while back. If you are using a tuner, then ground it. If the tuner is already grounded, then check your ground connections. Best DX and 73 On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 7:35 PM Jonathan Guthrie via BVARC mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org>> wrote: Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. "The proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a field strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your antenna, that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its power. 100 watts is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. You might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, I used to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check that by unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center conductor in the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would Chris Luppens On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC <mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote: Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal into Houston on 3910 kHz. Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. David K5HEC On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC <mailto: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 Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
Any chance of moving the tuner to the feedpoint? With the tuner in the shack, it's making the match on the across the coax from where the mismatch actually is - at the antenna feedpoint - and you'll still be facing some coax loss. With the tuner at the feedpoint of the antenna, you should experience almost no coax loss. This may not be your issue, but might be worth giving a shot one evening when the weather permits... From: BVARC on behalf of Chad Kitzmann via BVARC Sent: Friday, October 16, 2020 8:03 PM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Cc: Chad Kitzmann ; Jonathan Guthrie Subject: Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help I dont have a ground on the ATU as I am in the middle of my house and would have to run one the same length of the coax I have to get outside - 40 plus feet up a wall and through my attic to my bonded ground outside where my lightning arrestor is. But on a 12 volt DC system for my radio and with 9 AA batteries running my ATU do I honestly need one? What would be the difference if i was running outside off battery? On Friday, October 16, 2020, 07:51:49 PM CDT, Clint Davidson via BVARC wrote: Here's something I learned from some more experienced operators a while back. If you are using a tuner, then ground it. If the tuner is already grounded, then check your ground connections. Best DX and 73 On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 7:35 PM Jonathan Guthrie via BVARC mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org>> wrote: Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. "The proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a field strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your antenna, that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its power. 100 watts is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. You might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, I used to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check that by unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center conductor in the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would Chris Luppens On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC <mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote: Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal into Houston on 3910 kHz. Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. David K5HEC On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC <mailto: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 Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org<mailto:BVARC@bvarc.org> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org<mailto:BVARC@bvarc.org> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org<mailto:BVARC@bvarc.org> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org -- Jonathan Guthrie ARS KA8KPN Brazos Valley Amateur
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
I dont have a ground on the ATU as I am in the middle of my house and would have to run one the same length of the coax I have to get outside - 40 plus feet up a wall and through my attic to my bonded ground outside where my lightning arrestor is. But on a 12 volt DC system for my radio and with 9 AA batteries running my ATU do I honestly need one? What would be the difference if i was running outside off battery? On Friday, October 16, 2020, 07:51:49 PM CDT, Clint Davidson via BVARC wrote: Here's something I learned from some more experienced operators a while back. If you are using a tuner, then ground it. If the tuner is already grounded, then check your ground connections. Best DX and 73 On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 7:35 PM Jonathan Guthrie via BVARC wrote: Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. "The proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a field strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your antenna, that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its power. 100 watts is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. You might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, I used to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check that by unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center conductor in the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would Chris Luppens On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC wrote: Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft. He often has a strong signal into Houston on 3910 kHz. Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. David K5HEC On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org -- Jonathan Guthrie ARS KA8KPN Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org -- Clint Davidson KF5HDF 713-870-0195 kf5...@gmail.com Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
Here's something I learned from some more experienced operators a while back. If you are using a tuner, then ground it. If the tuner is already grounded, then check your ground connections. Best DX and 73 On Fri, Oct 16, 2020 at 7:35 PM Jonathan Guthrie via BVARC wrote: > Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. > "The proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a > field strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your > antenna, that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its > power. 100 watts is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. > > Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. > You might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, > I used to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check > that by unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center > conductor in the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. > > On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: > > I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run > antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you > a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would > > Chris Luppens > > > On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC > wrote: > > Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. > > I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. > in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the > BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About > the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… > KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 > miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal > into Houston on 3910 kHz. > > Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. > > David K5HEC > > > > > On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC > 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 > > > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > > BVARC mailing list > > BVARC@bvarc.org > > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing > listBVARC@bvarc.orghttp://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > > -- > Jonathan Guthrie > ARS KA8KPN > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > -- Clint Davidson KF5HDF 713-870-0195 kf5...@gmail.com Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
It’s a long run but no shorts. Using LMR400 with a run 8 feet up the wall, 20 feet across the attic, 8 feet down the outside wall and into a mfg lightning arrestor, then to 50 feet of lmr 400 buried in conduit to my 6btv that had a 1:1 balun before feeding the antenna. I’ve checkEd with an ohm meter and everything is good - no shorts. Inside I have my 857d to my z-100 to my feed point which goes up the wall to the description above. - Chad > On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:35 PM, Jonathan Guthrie via BVARC > wrote: > > > Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. "The > proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a field > strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your antenna, > that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its power. 100 watts > is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. > > Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. You > might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, I used > to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check that by > unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center conductor in > the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. > > On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: >> I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run >> antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a >> Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would >> >> Chris Luppens >> >> >>> On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC >>> wrote: >>> >>> Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. >>> >>> I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. >>> in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the >>> BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About >>> the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… >>> KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 >>> miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal >>> into Houston on 3910 kHz. >>> >>> Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. >>> >>> David K5HEC >>> >>> >>> >>> On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>> >>> >>> >>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>> >>> BVARC mailing list >>> BVARC@bvarc.org >>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> >> >> >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> BVARC@bvarc.org >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > -- > Jonathan Guthrie > ARS KA8KPN > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
Several things. First, the antenna analyzer won't tell you very much. "The proper tool to assess antenna performance isn't an SWR meter, it's a field strength meter." On the other hand, if you have a high SWR on your antenna, that might be causing your radio to dramatically reduce its power. 100 watts is certainly enough to communicate all over the USA. Many of the problems I've had with low 80 dipoles were due to the coax. You might check the coax for shorts and opens. Back in the good old days, I used to have splices in my coax and they'd open sometimes. I could check that by unscrewing the shield and if it got louder with just the center conductor in the SO-239, then I knew the feedline was bad. On 10/16/20 7:17 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would Chris Luppens On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC wrote: Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft. He often has a strong signal into Houston on 3910 kHz. Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. David K5HEC On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org -- Jonathan Guthrie ARS KA8KPN Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
I have a mfj 259c. Measuring and tuning the antennas with a 15 foot piece of cable swr is less than 2:1 where I am broadcasting. and I have a LDG z-100 that I run on the 857d and tune. - Chad > On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:18 PM, Chris Luppens via BVARC wrote: > > I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run > antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a > Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would > > Chris Luppens > > >>> On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC >>> wrote: >>> >> Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. >> >> I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. >> in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the >> BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the >> same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… >> KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 >> miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal >> into Houston on 3910 kHz. >> >> Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. >> >> David K5HEC >> >> >> >> >>> On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>> >>> BVARC mailing list >>> BVARC@bvarc.org >>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> >> >> >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> BVARC@bvarc.org >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
I am also learning but way behind you. But I think you should first run antenna analyzer to be sure no issues there. I bet somebody would lend you a Rig Stick or VNA unit, I would Chris Luppens > On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC > wrote: > > Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. > > I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in > the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC > HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same > with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. > often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has > a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal into Houston on > 3910 kHz. > > Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. > > David K5HEC > > > > >> On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 >> >> >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> BVARC@bvarc.org >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
I built the 40/80 dipole to be NVIS sine the verticals in more of a DX antenna. To add more detail I have 48 radials on the 6btv. - Chad > On Oct 16, 2020, at 7:10 PM, DAVID M GRAY JR via BVARC > wrote: > > Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. > > I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in > the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC > HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same > with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. > often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has > a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal into Houston on > 3910 kHz. > > Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. > > David K5HEC > > > > >> On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 >> >> >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> BVARC@bvarc.org >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Re: [BVARC] Looking for HF Help
Keep experiencing. I bet somebody in BVARC will come thru with help. I have an off-center fed dipole about 135 ft. total length up about 12 ft. in the back yard… I’m near N. Eldridge Pkw and Tanner. My signal into the BVARC HF Wednesday net is minimal but I usually get checked in. About the same with the Louisiana Traffic Net. My brother over in Ruston, LA… KB7QL….. often reports that I have a strong signal up there… about 300 miles. He has a long loop up about 15 ft.He often has a strong signal into Houston on 3910 kHz. Keep trying and I bet things will begin to change for you. David K5HEC > On Oct 16, 2020, at 6:56 PM, Chad Kitzmann via BVARC 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 > > > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > BVARC@bvarc.org > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list BVARC@bvarc.org http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
