New spt500 gamma

[Alexis Mercado]

Yes, it does. That is the reason I did this. I did have an arching issue THROUGH the upper insulator.
The PTFE I used is rated for 500V per 1 mil of thickness in insulation value.....
No more arching, and no more climbing VSWR when the weather turns wet.....

Why did it arched? How did you notice that, SWr flictuating? Mine has the insulation backwards from factory.. Even upside down it, it works fine.

 

[Ranch55]

Why did it arched? How did you notice that, SWr flictuating? Mine has the insulation backwards from factory.. Even upside down it, it works fine.

It arched thru (burned a hole thru) the upper insulator ...
Running too much high power too many times.
I saw it instantly when the VSWR reading shot up to over 30:1 when I was transmitting.
I immediately unkeyed and shut down for an inspection.
With my binoculars from the ground, I could see the dark carboned area around the vertical radial just above the ground radial plate where it had arched severely.

Upside down insulator will let the antenna perform just fine,
UNTIL, it gets wet or during an active rain the VSWR WILL climb to higher readings.
You might claim it doesn't, but it is virtually impossible for it not to.
The water on top of the horizontal radial plate will be a direct connection between the radiating element and the ground elements. Water conducts, electricity and RF .......

 

[Marconi]

Running too much high power too many times.

Ranch55, how many watts are you talking about?

 

[Ranch55]

Ranch55, how many watts are you talking about?

1.5kw plus (Ameritron AL-1500)

 

[Marconi]

1.5kw plus (Ameritron AL-1500)

Thanks for the info. That is what an old HG SP500 ad shows it will handle and also states that is illegal for CB.

 

[r carl]

1.5kw plus (Ameritron AL-1500)

Is that an arc welder?

 

[Ranch55]

Is that an arc welder?

It was definitely attempting to be .......
I have some photos somewhere that I took before I upgraded the antenna.
I'll try to find 'em.....

 

[r carl]

It was definitely attempting to be .......
I have some photos somewhere that I took before I upgraded the antenna.
I'll try to find 'em.....

I wonder if this would of helped sprayed on the areas.
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0618329

 

[Ranch55]

I wonder if this would of helped sprayed on the areas.
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0618329

Not in my opinion.

 

[Van Lifeson]

I run 100 watts. Last week in a monsoon here the swr stayed low with short side up.

 

[r carl]

I think if I had a new SPT500 I would figure out a way to use 2 insulators on the top mount, 1 on top and 1 under.

 

[Van Lifeson]

SWR at 100 watts in POURING RAIN, I mean a thunderstorm with HEAVY RAIN for the last hour with short side of insulator facing up.

 

[r carl]

Try 1000 watts.

 

[Ranch55]

You can prove a "wrong" as being right any time.
Doesn't make it correct .....

 

[Van Lifeson]

Try 1000 watts.

lol, Yeah at 1K I could see it arcing in heavy rain or with snow/ice caked around it even with the tall side facing up.