Tom, If you run a piece of coax from the pannel down to ground, and isolate
the shield from the center conductor with a capacitor at each end, that is
suppozed to cover a lot of sins.
.01 disks work fine.
I used to know why this was a good idea, but now all I remember, is that it
is a good idea.


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tom Behler
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 8:58 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question About Cobra Ultralite Senior Antenna

John:

I had thought of that when we originally installed the antennas and
grounding system, but didn't know of any other good alternatives at the
time,  since my shack is on the second floor.

Overall, things seem to work relatively well, except for the Cobra on 40
through 10 meters, so I am thinking the Cobra is more of the culprit here
than anything else.  I think my problem may be related either to the
instalation itself, or more likely, to the excess ladder line.

This is not to say that my RF grounding can't be improved.  It probably can,
and is something I need to think about more as well.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of John Miller
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 8:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question About Cobra Ultralite Senior Antenna

If that ground runs all the way to the second floor of your house, that's
probably causing more problem than it's preventing.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Behler
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 8:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question About Cobra Ultralite Senior Antenna

Tom:

At this point, my grounding system consists of one 8-foot ground rod that is
connected to the main ground of the house electrical system with ten-gauge
stranded copper ground wire.  I then have a stranded  copper ground wire
running from the main ground connection up to the main ground lug on an MFJ
window feed through panel in my shack, which is on the second floor of my
house.  All antennas are connected to that feed through panel.  And, each
piece of equipment (i.e. radio, amp, and tuner) are connected to the main
ground lug on the feed through panel with 12-gauge copper ground wire.  As
far as I can tell, all ground connections are good.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tom Fowle
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 10:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question About Cobra Ultralite Senior Antenna

Tom,
first thoughts are about grounding.
Though not familiar with the antenna, I assume it is basically a loaded
dipole and that the manufacturer claims it's matchable on all bands.

What is your R.F. grounding system like? is all the gear, particularly the
xcvr, amp and tuner, well grounded together and to a good heavy lead to at
least one ground rod?

Tom Fowle WA6IVG

On Mon, Aug 17, 2015 at 10:13:49AM -0400, Tom Behler 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
>
>