Matt:

I should have specified that I feed the Cobra with the Balun Designs 4 to 1
heavy-duty balun that the manufacturer suggests.

And, all connections, at least here at the shack, seem sound.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Matthew Chao
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 10:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question About Cobra Ultralite Senior Antenna

Hi, Tom.  I have the Junior version, and have no problems on 40.  However, I
can't tune up on the ACW portion of 80 meters with the radio's built-in auto
tuner nor the KT100.  Assume you have a balun at the end of your laderline?

Other than the above, I don't have any ideas for you.--Matt, N1IBB.

t 10:13 AM 8/17/2015, you wrote:
>Hello, everyone.
>
>
>
>I guess this question is best directed to those who are familiar with 
>the Cobra Ultralite Senior antenna made by K1JEC, but I'll take 
>thoughts from anyone who is interested in replying.
>
>
>
>Several years ago, I purchased a Cobra Ultralite Senior antenna from 
>K1JEC, or Granite State Antenna in New Hampshire.  My main reason for 
>making the purchase was to have operating capability on 80 and 160 
>meters.  The antenna itself is up about 35 to 40 feet, and is strung 
>between trees on my property, and on a neighbor's property.
>
>
>
>The antenna works well on 80 meters, and much of 160 meters, when tuned 
>with my MFJ 998 auto-tuner.
>
>
>
>However, I have never been able to get it to tune on 40 meters.  In 
>addition, the tuning and performance are questionable at best on 20, 
>15, and
>10 meters.  In fact, one problem I have noticed recently is that when 
>tuning it on 20 meters, using my MFJ998 auto-tuner and my ALS600, I 
>actually get RF coming through the PTT switch on my Heil gold line mic.  
>This, of course, is not good.
>
>
>
>All of this is prompting me to try to correct the situation.
>
>
>
>Several months ago, I contacted Joe at Granite State Antenna in New 
>Hampshire, and he suggested that I make sure the excess ladder line is 
>coiled in several loops, and is off the ground. I just double-checked 
>this, and it is what we did when we installed the antenna.
>
>
>
>A ham friend of mine has suggested that I cut off the excess 
>ladderline, and see if that helps.
>
>
>
>I am reluctant to do this, because the instructions say not to do so, 
>and it is one of those steps that will be difficult to reverse.
>
>
>
>I am thinking of purchasing some RF chokes to help with the issue, bbut 
>I still think there is a basic problem with my instalation.
>
>
>
>Fortunately, my Alpha Delta DXCC tunes well on40 through 10 meters, but 
>it would be nice if I could get the Cobra to do the same.
>
>
>
>Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>