[Antennas] antenna problem solving question

Thu May 8 21:29:30 EDT 2014

My guess?
It's a bad connector, blown up "balun", etc.
You mention having an MFJ antenna analyzer. There is a way to perform a 
"distance to fault" measurement. It's in the manual.
On 5/8/2014 8:27 AM, bill wrote:
> Before I tear up the coax to my antenna, maybe someone has a clue what 
> went wrong here.
>> Suddenly, I no longer have resonance on any part of my 10, 12, 15, 17, 
> 20 Sommer yagi.
> It has been working perfectly since installed.
> Last qso on this antenna was May 6 which was a barefoot JT9 qso with 
> Europe. No problem experienced.
>> But yesterday...May 7th, I had a surprise.
> High swr on all bands, which trips my rig safety setting.
> Select the dummy load as the antenna and it displays a perfect match.
> I can't find my MFJ antenna analyzer. LOL, somewhere in the mess of a 
> shack. But I will. LOL
>> To me, this sounds like the coax has failed or the antenna connector 
> has failed.
>> my 80-40 wire dipole
> my 30 meter dipole
> even my 160 L
> all work, (as well as expected)
> but each of those has a separate coax.
>> coax is relatively new, maybe 4 years old with factory installed 
> connectors from the amateur coax vendor here in Illinois.
> (forget the rg8 similar number at this moment)
>> No big winds or lightning in the recent past.
>> So where should I start looking? At the antenna's coax connection?? 
> Which is my first 'usual suspect'?
>> please and thank you for you help in advance.
>
-- 
73,
Gary K9GS
Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org
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