Do you have the usually recommended 10 turns where the coax meets the twin
lead? That might help you tune the rest of 40. I really think all that extra
coax if there is a lot will hurt, not help you but if you really think it
helps, 1 peace is always better than a few put together.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 11:20 AM
Subject: G5RV Update: Good News!
> Hi, all.
>
> Well, I have some good news on the RV G5RV front this morning.
>
> Yesterday, I did a bunch of checking on feed lines, etc., and since all
> looked ok from a continuity stand-point, I took the leap and put the G5RV
> up
> again. This time, it is in some trees, and pretty much in the clear from
> nearby RV's and other metal structures. The center is not that
> high--probably only about 20 feet, and the ends are probably about 20 feet
> high as well. The ladder line comes down at about a 45-degree angle to
> the
> feed line connection point in a tree just to the back of my RV at about
> head
> level. The antenna orientation is northwest to southeast. I lashed
> together about 50 feet of coax jumpers that I had lying around to add to
> the
> 15 or 20 feet of coax that runs from the antenna connector on the back
> corner of the RV, to my operating position inside.
>
> I found that the antenna tunes, using the auto-tuner on the TS480, on 10,
> 15, 20, the upper half of 40, and the lower half of 80. At one point, I
> actually got it to tune on the lower end of 40, but after doing some other
> things, have not been able to replicate that condition.
>
> The antenna does seem to get out. I worked a bunch of stations for the
> Kansas QSO Party on 20, and probably jus as many for the Ohio QSO Party on
> 40. In fact, I worked one station right after Steve (KW3A) worked them.
> On
> 20 meters, I also worked into Europe both on SSB and CW. The signal
> reports
> I got were good, for the most part.
>
> So, now, I am in tweaking mode. Do you guys have any ideas for getting
> the
> antenna to tune on the lower part of 40 meters? I have seriously thought
> of
> purchasing a nice solid 50-foot chunk of RG8X coax, and putting that in
> the
> feed line system, in hopes that it might do better than the
> lashed-together
> arrangement that I currently have.
>
> One specific question I also have is this--where do I put the excess coax?
> Do I put it outside near the RV antenna connection, or inside the shack at
> the transmitter--or, doesn't it matter?
>
> I won't be out at the RV next week-end for Labor Day, because the XYL and
> I
> will be traveling to Missouri to visit our son and his family, but I will
> be
> out there the week-end after that, and hopefully, for the remaining
> week-endss in September before they close down the camp ground.
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions for improving the performance of this antenna
> would be appreciated.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
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