Tom,
You might not see the problem on other bands because the antenna is less
forgiving on 40 than other places. The leaves could certainly be one reason
for the higher SWR, but you might want to check for other things such as a
change in position of one end of the antenna. Also, I wouldn't rule out the
moisture possibility; you've had the problem before, and you did say it
rained a lot lately.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2011 06:57
Subject: Re: higher-than-usual SWR readings on 40 meters with Carolina
Windom
> John:
>
> Like you, I'd think that if a general problem were developing, I'd see it
> on
> other bands too, and that doesn't appear to be the case, at least in
> general.
>
> And, as far as your G5RV is concerned, I used to experience that with mine
> as well, when I had one up here a few years ago.
>
> I guess I'll just have to keep monitoring things here, and see if anything
> else changes.
>
> Fortunately, like I said, I have the DXCC, which seems to do much better
> on
> 40 meters anyway.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 10:53 PM
> Subject: Re: higher-than-usual SWR readings on 40 meters with Carolina
> Windom
>
>
> I don't have that antenna, but I'd think if you had a problem forming, it
> would show on all bands. I know my G5RV is like that though and it's close
> to some branches, now that leaves are on the trees, any rain at all and it
> changes on 40 meters. If all goes well, I'll be changing that soon but I
> can't say anything much yet.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 10:41 PM
> Subject: higher-than-usual SWR readings on 40 meters with Carolina Windom
>
>
>> Hi, folks.
>>
>> Well, I got my TW1 back from LDG, and they indeed did fix the volume
>> control
>> with no charge.
>>
>> I thanked them sincerely for doing this, and told them that we blind hams
>> all appreciate a commitment to service like that.
>>
>> Anyway, I was doing some antenna testing tonight, and noticed something a
>> bit strange with my Carolina Windom 160 compact antenna.
>>
>> Tonight's SWR readings seem to be reasonably in line with what I would
>> expect on all bands, except for 40 meters. On 40 meters, they used to be
>> around 1.4 to 1 at the bottom of the band, and about 4.7 to 1 at the top.
>> Now, they range from around 2.5 to 1 at the bottom of the band, to about
>> 7.3
>> to 1 at the top of the band.
>>
>> Fortunately, I have my Alpha Delta DXCC antenna, which tends to do better
>> on
>> 40 meters anyway, but the change in 40-meter SWR's for the Windom
>> concerns
>> me a bit.
>>
>> Maybe it has something to do with more leaves on the trees than there
>> were
>> in the Winter when I took my original readings, but I'm hoping I'm not
>> starting with my moisture problem again.
>>
>> We have had a lot of rain here over the past few weeks, and have had very
>> little opportunity for things to dry out.
>>
>> I have tested all coax jumpers for continuity and tightness, and all
>> looks
>> good.
>>
>> Anyway, I'd be interested in any thoughts that anyone has regarding what
>> might be going on here.
>>
>> Again, I want to emphasize that the antenna still looks reasonably good
>> on
>> most other bands and frequencies.
>>
>> Thanks, and 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
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