John:
You have an interesting point here, but I'll try the other stuff before
disconnecting the ground.
The only reason I say that is that I have had very very little RFI here,
while without the ground in Colorado, I had significant RFI issues.
I'm sure that, through a careful process of elimination, I'll find the
answer, since the problem appears to be rather isolated.
73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 9:29 AM
Subject: Re: interesting RF problem in the shack
Here's a funny one for you, disconnect the ground and see what happens. You
said at the other QTH it worked without one, disconnect it, maybe it's not
functioning as you intend. I actually found at my former QTH, where I had
the counter poises and all, I was about third story height so couldn't get a
real ground there, I found I did much better with nothing at all after years
of on and off issues with an artificial ground. Here in the apartment I'm in
now, the artificial ground is in a box still in the basement, I never even
tried it. I have seen some radios react to lack of ground different than
others, but for the most part, Kenwoods and newer icoms I haven't seen much
problem. It's only RF ground anyway, it's not like you're getting rid of a
lightning ground, you don't have anything to lose by trying it.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 7:51 AM
Subject: Re: interesting RF problem in the shack
> Hey Tom, First I would check the Coax connecters at the input and output
> of
> the Amp. Then I would try moving the rigrunner and its connecting wires a
> little. Then I would try different parts of 20 metters, and lastly I
> would
> try lower power and see what that does. Oh yeah, maybe try plugging the
> power supply for the Kenwood into a different outlet, and maybe try the
> same
> thing with the Amp. Now that should keep you busy for the next little
> while. Wish I was there to help. Gerry
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 6:58 PM
> Subject: interesting RF problem in the shack
>
>
>> Hi, all.
>>
>> Well, I know I'm going to get varying opinions on this one, but that's
>> ok,
>> since I'm looking for a number of possible alternative causes and
>> solutions.
>>
>> As many of you know, I have gone back to using my Alpha Delta DXCC
>> antenna
>> as my HF antenna, until my Windom, which took a dump on Saturday, can be
>> resurrected.
>>
>> The DXCC works great on 40 meters with both 100 wattts, and my Ameritron
>> AL811H amplifier. However, when I went to do the Cross-Country blind ops
>> net on 14.258 yesterday, I had an interesting experience. Things worked
>> great with 100 watts, but when I kicked the amplifier in, and tried
>> running
>> things on the usual 600 watts, I ran into problems. As soon as I keyed
>> the
>> mic, the protective circuit in my Rigrunner tripped, and everything in my
>> station went silent.
>>
>> I have no other indications of RFI anywhere else in the house or the
>> shack.
>> In addition, my SWR's are good with the DXCC on 20 meters (about 1.5 to
>> 1)
>> without the tuner, and obviously just as good with the manual tuner. I
>> use
>> my usual procedure to tune the amp, and everything works there as well,
>> giving me forward and reflected power readings I would expect.
>>
>> Could anyone tell me what you think is going on here? Do I still have a
>> grounding issue of sorts, even though I've gotten no indication of
>> grounding
>> issues with other applications?
>>
>> Other than reducing power, is there anything anyone can suggest for me to
>> do
>> to try to solve this problem.
>>
>> I was thinking of grounding the Rigrunner by connecting a ground cable
>> from
>> the cover of the Rigrunner to my common station ground, but just haven't
>> gotten to it yet.
>>
>> It's just a strange problem, and only seems to occur on 20 meters with
>> the
>> amp. I never had the problem at all out in Colorado, where I had no
>> station
>> grounding system at all.
>>
>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>
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