Gary:
I can kind of do something similar with the manual screw-driver control box,
and either the auto-tuner in the TS480, or a manual tuner with my TW1.
What I do is listen for maximum receive noise, and then tune the antenna for
minimum SWR.
The problem is that either method takes time, and is a bit of a nuissance if
you are quickly switching bands and frequencies when in a contest or
something like that.
I may have to resort to this approach, though, at least for the time being,
until I can figure out something else.
73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Lee" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 9:05 PM
Subject: Re: Easy to use and inexpensive antenna to use for HF in RV
> Tom:
>
> Have you considered using a noise bridge to tune the screwdriver?
> I used to use the tuner tuner from palomar engineers and the noise =
> bridge from tentech. =20
> Turn off agc and tune for minimum noise. checked with a swr bridge and =
> someone with sight, got to below 1.3 every time.
>
> Gary Lee
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> On Apr 27, 2012, at 10:45 PM, Tom Behler wrote:
>
>> Hello, all.
>>=20
>> It's been a very long story, but I need advice on a possible =
> alternative HF=20
>> antenna system to use when in my RV.
>>=20
>> Some of you may recall that for years, I used a Predator Screw-driver=20=
>
>> antenna, and tuned it with something called a Turbo-tuner from N2VZ=20
>> Enterprises. The screw-driver, even with the turbotuner, was =
> obviously a=20
>> compromise antenna system at best, but it did seem to work to some =
> degree.
>>=20
>> Anyway, since last June, I have been struggling with Bill Kantz from =
> N2VZ=20
>> Enterprises, to get my Turbo-tuner unit serviced. The tuner had a bad =
> diode=20
>> in it, and Bill promised to fix it without charge, in honor of his =
> "lifetime=20
>> no matter what guarantee".
>>=20
>> After countless e-mails, phonecalls, and a certified letter, I am =
> beginning=20
>> to give up on ever getting my Turbo-tuner back. I can run the =
> screwdriver=20
>> up and down, using the manual control, but as you might expect, the =
> antenna=20
>> is very narrow, which makes quick and easy tuning of the antenna a =
> challenge=20
>> at best even with the auto-tuner in the TS480 that is in the motor =
> home.
>>=20
>> In light of all this, I'm now looking at other possible alternate =
> antenna=20
>> systems. I would like to be able to operate at least 40 through 10. =
> The=20
>> lot size for the camp spot our RV occupies during the summers is very =
> small=20
>> (probably roughly 40 feet by 40 feet), so I don't think an Alpha Delta =
> DXCC=20
>> antenna will fit. I just don't have the lot width to accommodate an =
> 82-foot=20
>> long antenna. I suspect I could use a long wire, but then would need =
> to use=20
>> an outboard manual tuner and balun to properly tune it.
>>=20
>> So, my question is this: Do any of you have an idea as to what I =
> might try=20
>> to use in place of the screw-driver, just in case I never get my =
> Turbo-tuner=20
>> back? I'm looking for something that would be simple, cheap, and =
> pretty=20
>> easy to deploy. I have heard of Yoyo antenna systems, Miracle whip=20
>> antennas, and others, but simply don't want to spend the money on =
> something=20
>> like this without knowing whether it will truly work for me.
>>=20
>> I know this will probably start a fire storm of discussion, so please =
> don't=20
>> bake it personally if I don't respond directly to each individual =
> post. I=20
>> assure you that I will read them all.
>>=20
>> Tom Behler: Kb8TYJ=20
>
|
