Tom,

If all the components of the G5 are insulated, I don't see how the antenna 
being in the proximity of the metal roof or one of the legs wrapped around a 
metal ladder leg could cause continuity between the two sides of the 
antenna.  I do believe that the antenna wrapped around the ladder leg would 
most definitely detune it though.

Now, if the ladder is connected to ground, perhaps through the metal frame 
of the R V and the AC power system, and your G5 was actually connected to 
the ladder through a break in the insulation on the antenna wire and the 
shield side of your coax wiring in your RV is connected to that same power 
line ground than you could read a possible short if the ladder side of your 
G5 was the center of the coax feed line.

I don't know anything about RV construction, however if the AC receptacles 
are mounted in metal electrical boxes and the electrical boxes are mounted 
to a metal RV frame then the whole metal frame of the RV would be connected 
to the power line ground because the mounting ears of normal household type 
receptacles are connected to ground.

I know that was poorly written, but read it slowly and I think you will 
understand my thoughts.

73

Howard #3





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 4:42 AM
Subject: Re: G5RV Update


> Great suggestion, Howard, and I will definitely carry it out.
>
> Thanks very much.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Howard, W A 9 Y B W" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 9:54 PM
> Subject: Re: G5RV Update
>
>
>> Tom,
>>
>> While you have the antenna down, do the following:
>>
>> 1.  Check for continuity from the center pin of the coax connector on the
>> coax pigtail to each end of the antenna's horizontal elements there 
>> should
>> be continuity to one of them.
>>
>> 2.  Now do the same from the shield side of the coax connector on the 
>> coax
>> pigtail and you should have continuity to the end of the opposite leg.
>>
>> Alternatively, you could connect the ends of the antenna horizontal legs
>> together if possible and than check for a short across the coax connector
>> on
>> the end of the coax pigtail.
>>
>> I am only suggesting this so that you will know that there are no breaks
>> in
>> the connections at each end of the ladder line.  Can only do this on the
>> ground. Impossible to do with the antenna in the air.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Howard #3
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 8:05 PM
>> Subject: G5RV Update
>>
>>
>>> Hi, all.
>>>
>>> Well, tonight, with a little bribery in the form of an ice cream cone on
>>> the
>>> way out to the RV, the XYL and I took the trip to retrieve the suspect
>>> G5RV.
>>>
>>> The antenna is now right here in front of me, and guess what I found!
>>>
>>> With the antenna taken down, and now free of any connections, there is 
>>> an
>>> open circuit across the PL259!  In other words, no continuity across the
>>> connector!
>>>
>>> So, to me, this would indicate that the antenna is sound electrically.
>>>
>>> Before putting it up again, of course, I will check all connections, but
>>> this, to me, is very encouraging.
>>>
>>> It also indicates to me that there is a problem somewhere in my feed 
>>> line
>>> system, hopefully not in the feed line that runs underneath the RV.
>>>
>>> At least, though, I think I've now got the problem isolated in a major
>>> way.
>>>
>>> Will keep everyone posted, but, unless I'm deluding myself, I'm now
>>> greatly
>>> encouraged.
>>>
>>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>