SteppIrs have a large set of element lengths for forward, reverse, and
bi_directional modes, plus 3, 4, or perhaps 5 different frequencies per
band, depending on the width of that band. Since the factory data is
useless on my installation, I have to develop the data myself. I could
easily spend 3 or 4 hours per band to get it right. I typically perform
gross, mid-point, and final tweaking to get it where I want it. If the SWR
is adversely effected by WX, which is less likely with a SteppIr than any
other antenna due to the tapes residing inside fiberglass tubes, you can
adjust the elements on the fly and get it back to 1 to 1 very quickly.
73
Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Thurman
Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2014 3:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ts480 stumped
oh wow I thought the antenna controller actually looked at the match =
and tuned for that, it ust follows a table of known settings? that must =
be faster, but I would think less effective for any kind of changes, =
including running it during bad weather with the tower collapsed if it =
is a crank up for example. sounds like a real pain but wow you could =
jus build a monster amplifier and be your own broadcast station :) all =
ya have to do is buy your license from the ccc, where everything is for =
sale to the ighes tbidder :)
On Feb 1, 2014, at 5:50 PM, Alan R. Downing <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> The problem is of my own making. My DB36 is not a standard run of the =
mill
> antenna. I didn't want to use the factory internal 50 ohm to 25 ohm =
balun
> that resides inside the driven element's EHU. That balun is rated at =
3 KW
> which I felt was insufficient. I worked with SteppIr's owner and the
> decision was made to build my antenna without a balun and I would =
provide a
> custom balun myself. I ordered a 10 KW 50 ohm to 25 ohm balun from =
Array
> Solutions. The balun is probably 6 times the size of the factory =
balun, so
> therefore wouldn't fit inside the EHU. I mounted the balun on the =
boom
> right next to the EHU, and ran Teflon wires from the balun into the =
EHU, and
> connected the wires to the same place on the brush assembly that the
> standard internal balun connects to. However, the length of those two =
wires
> adds to the length of the driven element. The wires were 12 inches =
long,
> hence I lengthened the driven element by a total of 24 inches. That =
meant
> that none of the factory element length tables would work. I had to =
go thru
> every band for forward, 180, and bi-directional mode and develop a
> completely new set of tables. Since I switched controllers the other =
day, I
> had to create the tables all over again. It is a very lengthy =
procedure,
> taking perhaps 12 hours to get it all right.
>=20
> To anyone not familiar with the way SteppIrs work, this explanation =
probably
> makes no sense. Believe me that it is a lot of work, but I am just =
about
> done. The bottom line is that my antenna has a balun that can easily =
handle
> 10 KW. Don't ask, Hi!
>=20
> Alan
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Alan R. Downing
> Phoenix, AZ
>=20
>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Michael Thurman
> Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2014 3:29 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: ts480 stumped
>=20
> 1.3 to 1 and you are panicked? i think hat is rather obsessive =3D
> compulsive. there are many qst articles that talk about how you should =
=3D
> not be obsessed with swr readings if they are reasonable.. the arrl =
lab =3D
> people would agree that anything under 1.5 is completely irrelevant =
and =3D
> are as likely to be errors in the metering as any actual reflected =3D
> power. , tt having been said, i am very surprised that you can=3D92t =
get =3D
> your step ir to tune better than that, and would think some checks of =
=3D
> connections and such are in order up there. good luck with that one :) =
=3D
> enjoy
>=20
> On Feb 1, 2014, at 2:29 PM, Alan R. Downing <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>=20
>> Richard, the 480 might be folding back due to excessive SWR. =3D
> Personally I
>> would not operate a transmitter into an SWR of 2 to 1, and I lose =3D
> sleep
>> worrying about an SWR of 1.5 to 1. I am presently adjusting my =3D
> SteppIr DB36
>> with my new SDA100 and SteppIr Reader, and on 15 I haven't gotten it =
=3D
> below
>> 1.3 to 1, and I won't even transmit into that with my amps. So, I =3D
> would try
>> using an antenna tuner and see what happens to the 480's output =
power. =3D
> My
>> guess is that it will go back to normal, or nearly so.
>> =3D20
>> Good luck.
>> =3D20
>> KD7GC
>> =3D20
>> =3D20
>> Alan R. Downing
>> Phoenix, AZ
>> =3D20
>> =3D20
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators =3D
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Richard Fiorello
>> Sent: Saturday, February 01, 2014 12:13 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: ts480 stumped
>> =3D20
>> Hi;
>> Dusted off the ts480 because things have been busy for the past =
month=3D20=3D
>=20
>> and I'm stumped. My swr is around 2/1 but the forward power is only =
=3D
> 20=3D20
>> wats. I have the level at 100% and don't know of any reason that =3D
> there=3D20
>> would be a problem with the final. The transmit and receive are =
using=3D20=3D
>=20
>> the same vfo. Can't think of what else to check. If its an =
antenna=3D20=3D
>=20
>> issue its going to wait to decent weather but I'm wondering if there =
=3D
> is=3D20
>> something I've overlooked.
>> Thanks
>> Richard
|
