Hi Eric,

The autotuner in the 480, like all the rest,  is only supposed to deal 
with a 3:1 mismatch.  The TW-1 may give you an idea of what is going on. 
    If you find the swr is something like 5:1 at the bottom of the band, 
and 8:1 at the top,  then your resonant point is below the band and you 
should shorten the antenna equal  amounts on both sides.   If the 
numbers were reversed, 8:1 at the bottom and 5:1 at the top of the band, 
you would need to lengthen it.
Of course real life sometimes doesn't work out so nice and you may get 
screwy numbers that don't make it clear which way to go, so your friend 
with the analyzer will come in handy.    My gut feeling is that you will 
need to shorten things, but I've been wrong before.

not sure which model you have, but if each side consists of a wire to a 
coil, then a short wire to the end insulator,  you can shorten by 
feeding more wire through the insulator and then wrapping it back on 
itself.  No need to cut anything, so you can always reverse the process 
if needed.   If you didn't have access to an analyzer, the next step 
would be to  measure swr  at a few spots across the band, shorten the 
antenna a few inches on each side, then recheck swr and see if things 
improved.

Something else you might consider is pulling the lp filter and line 
isolator out and run straight to the antenna to see if you get different 
results.

Good luck, Steve KW3A





On 2/1/2011 5:43 PM, Eric Clegg wrote:
> HI Steve,
> Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
>
> I have one of the lLdg talking SWR meters that I have to dig out and try.
>
> So far I've only used the tuner on the Kenwood TS480SAT and I'm not sure how
> limited it's range is.
>
> My set up at present consists of the following:
>
> Going from the rig, a three foot jumper then a Bencher low pass filter, then
> another 3 foot jumper and then an MFJ line isolator.
>
> After this I have a nine foot piece of coax that I can bring out to the
> balcony to hook to either dipole.
>
> That's the setup at the moment.
>
> I'm going to get the talking multi meter from the NFB that was discussed a
> while back on this list plus the cable checker so I can diagnose my own
> problems before the guy with the analyzer comes over.
>
> Thanks much for the helpful suggestions,
>
> 73,
>
> Eric
> KU3I
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Forst"<[log in to unmask]>
> To:<[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 8:07 AM
> Subject: Re: I hope to have HF capability soon to join in the Cross Country
> net.
>
>
>> Eric,
>>
>> Sorry to hear you are dealing with antenna problems.  I'm sure that if
>> you can get some help with an analyzer  it will make  you a happy camper.
>>
>> Barring any other problems in the system, here are a few thoughts:
>>
>> I'm also using a dipole from Hy power (40-80-160), and I know that
>> Barry, like other builders, cuts the dipole long for the bottom of the
>> band.  The idea being that it is easier  to shorten it  if needed than
>> to lengthen it.    i may have my antenna theory backwards, but I think
>> that proximity to the ground,  other antennas, or other objects, will
>> also lower resonant point.   Wonder if you have some way of checking swr
>> at the top and bottom of the band, which could give you an idea of which
>> way to go in adjusting length.
>>
>> Barry is good about answering e-mails, and  perhaps he could give you
>> some direction if you provide him with some info on your setup and swr
>> curve.
>>
>> Good luck, Steve KW3A
>> On 1/31/2011 6:28 PM, Eric Clegg wrote:
>>> WhichMFJ apartment antenna did you have?
>>>
>>> Was it the little box with the attached whip or the one with the whip and
>>> the countrpoise?
>>>
>>> They make a few models of apartment style antennas.
>>>
>>> Tey all get mixed reviews.
>>>
>>> I'm attempting to use two Hy Power shortened 20 meter dipoles on my
>>> balcony
>>> and not really getting anywhere.
>>>
>>> I thought antennas were supposed to be resonant on the bands they were to
>>> used for.
>>>
>>> Both of these antennas set off the high swr message on my Kenwood
>>> TS480SAT.
>>>
>>> Guess I'll have to get a sighted friend over here with an antenna
>>> analyzer
>>> and see what he can do.
>>>
>>> All I want to do is send low power CW. Is that too much to ask?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Eric
>>> KU3I
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Kevin Minor"<[log in to unmask]>
>>> To:<[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 10:22 AM
>>> Subject: I hope to have HF capability soon to join in the Cross Country
>>> net.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> For quite a while I've had a Kenwood TS-2000.  I've enjoyed using it on
>>>> 2
>>>> meters and 440 Mhz.  When I purchased the radio I also bought an MFJ
>>>> apartment antenna.  It didn't work well at all.  This past week I
>>>> decided
>>>> to
>>>> bite the bullet and purchase a Buddypole.  I hope this antenna works a
>>>> bit
>>>> better.  Whenever I can get some help over here to put it together I
>>>> plan
>>>> on
>>>> seeing how many stereos and television sets I can get into<grin>.
>>>> Seriously, I'm looking forward to getting on HF again, and maybe I'll be
>>>> able to check into the Sunday net on 20 meters.  If anybody has had
>>>> experience with a Buddypole, I'd be curious about what you think of the
>>>> antenna.  Be honest about it.  If it's a crummy antenna, I'd like to
>>>> know
>>>> so
>>>> I can cry in my beer.  I've heard some good reports about it, so I'm
>>>> hopeful
>>>> it will work for me.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for any information.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 73, and don't work too hard.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Kevin Minor, Lexington, KY
>>>>
>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
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