So, Steve, in your opinion, is it safe to use the antenna, even though 
it's obviously not very efficient on the higher part of 75 meters?

Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Dresser" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 10:07 PM
Subject: Re: Strange Power Readings With LDG TW1


> Tom,
>
> Those readings are meaningless because the auto-tuner is engaged.  They're
> also meaningless because of the high SWR.
>
> Steve
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 20:27
> Subject: Strange Power Readings With LDG TW1
>
>
>> Hi, folks.
>>
>> Maybe I ought to go back to basic antennas 101 class, but I just found 
>> out
>> something with my Carolina Windom 160 compact that doesn't quite make
>> sense
>> to me.
>>
>> I am testing out the antenna to see if water got back into it after the
>> week
>> of rain we have had here, and I discovered some strange power readings
>> with
>> my LDG TW1 talking watt meter.
>>
>> Right now, my Carolina Windom, such as it is, seems to be resonant on the
>> lower end of 80 meters--right around 3.600 MHZ.
>>
>> As expected, then, when I go to the upper phone part of the band, say
>> around
>> 3.976 MHZ, my sWR rises dramatically to a blistering 6.0 to 1.
>> (ouch!!!!!!)
>>
>>
>> Interestingly, though, the auto tuner in the TS590 tunes the antenna,
>> which
>> was a bit of a surprise to me.
>>
>> I then took some  forward and reflected power readings with my TW1, and
>> was
>> told that the forward power was 102 watts, while my reflected power was 
>> 52
>> watts.
>>
>> Again, this is with the auto-tuner engaged.
>>
>> Can someone tell me what is going on here?
>>
>> To be honest, I'm still a bit hesitant to use the Carolina Windom, given
>> the
>> water problems I have had of late.
>>
>> Would this antenna be safe to use on the top part of 80 meters, since the
>> auto-tuner clearly tunes it, or am I just kidding myself here.
>>
>> And, could I safely use this antenna on the upper part of 75 meters with
>> my
>> Tentech 238A manual tuner and Ameritron
>> AL811H amplifier?
>>
>> I guess I'm now a bit gun shy.
>>
>> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>>
>