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Search results

  1. darklife

    Water in coax

    I've actually had this happen with a long 80' run of RG8u eons ago where I remember one stormy night seeing water leach out of the braid at the end into the connector. Like most suggest the cable is probably toast now but I took down the cable from my tower and let it bake in the sun for a...
  2. darklife

    Anytone 5555n wattage

    I can't help but think when I look at my radio and the meter can measure up to 80+ watts yet the PEP of SSB is 30 almost right to the exact number when testing on my scope and proper watt meter into a dummy load. I've seen a few people on youtube that have the same radio and somehow are pushing...
  3. darklife

    Base Tram 1498 18' antenna broke internally after a year (internal pics included)

    Just want to say after a year now it's still holding up well. Went with sanding my cut down then cleaning, filling with JB weld around the crack and settle until stiff, then fiberglass kit which I sanded between layers applied until it was snuff for PVC which I mixed up JB weld and slid the pipe...
  4. darklife

    SSTV anyone?

    Was thinking about freebanding on 27.700 with SSTV images to see if anyone logs it but not sure if that is even popular in the US? I hang on the channel sometimes but rarely hear anything except LSB voice chatter. Also not real sure if 30 watts SSB into a A99 clone antenna is even worth the shot...
  5. darklife

    Tram 1498 base antenna issues and fixes

    The whole antenna gave me frustration at first. Slightest change in coax length would give me different readings of lowest SWR at different channels and same with mount height even though I was out in the open away from metal using quality coax. Eventually I said hell with it and just set it up...
  6. darklife

    Anytone 6666

    Not sure if it's like the 5555n I own but holy hell the modulation transistor bakes if you keydown too long on AM. Might want to look for a cooked bipolar tranny attached to the sides. Sorry if way off, I assume the quad 6 shares a lot with the quad 5 I own.
  7. darklife

    FM

    So no one actually uses channel 9 for emergency use anymore right? :whistle:
  8. darklife

    Base Tram 1498 18' antenna broke internally after a year (internal pics included)

    Little bit of skip earlier today on my repaired antenna that seems to be back to normal.. Sorry first few minutes is some hams, skip ahead when I drop it down to CB frequencies
  9. darklife

    Base Tram 1498 18' antenna broke internally after a year (internal pics included)

    Thank you all so much for the ideas. The big stick is back up in the air and holding up pretty damn well! I ended up using the fiberglass cloth and resin and wrapped enough around over the last few days between sanding it until it was as thick as the original. Also used JB Weld for the cut I...
  10. darklife

    Base Tram 1498 18' antenna broke internally after a year (internal pics included)

    Okay a few quick questions and thank you all for the help. I am very grateful and feeling a little more optimistic (y) I bought Bondo fiberglass resin. hardener, and cloth like those small repair kits have. Also got some JB Weld and a 4" piece of schedule 80 PVC that fits loosely over the cut I...
  11. darklife

    Base Tram 1498 18' antenna broke internally after a year (internal pics included)

    I am considering that and use the right sized PVC to fit over it but I'm thinking that will take ages to cure. Do you really think it will hold that strong and weather okay? I've never used JB Weld or PVC "cement" glue so not sure which would be stronger and last longer. I read somewhere that...
  12. darklife

    Base Tram 1498 18' antenna broke internally after a year (internal pics included)

    Well this is ridiculous :mad: Had the 1498 up for almost exactly a year and suddenly yesterday went to turn on the radio only to hear silence. At first I thought it was my radio so adjusted squelch and then tried transmitting only to see my SWR was deep in the red. I was hoping it was just my...
  13. darklife

    Anytone 5555 am modulation sounds weak

    You have to be careful turning up the mic gain in this radio too much, the TIP36c modulation transistor likes to get crispy warm. I adjust from the menu to full mod, then adjust the POT inside a little higher than factory and have good reports. A different mic wouldn't hurt of course.
  14. darklife

    I'm lost on the a99 clones and issues

    Want to point out that the SDR receivers had antennas mounted up high and on strong skip days, you can test yourself by going here when conditions are right.. https://www.globaltuners.com
  15. darklife

    I'm lost on the a99 clones and issues

    Why should coax cable length matter? I suspect those who install these antennas either have great results or bad because of coax length. My clone antenna (Tram 1498) is so inconsistent in length of coax and antenna length setting and height. I realize this is part of the comedy and real life...
  16. darklife

    Export radio choices..

    Love my Anytone 5555n radio. Lots of love here for the 6666, but I opted for the slightly larger and lower RF output 5555n because it's plenty for what I wanted and that's all Amazon had in stock months back. It does take an internal modification to solder a jumper which turns people away...
  17. darklife

    The strangest thing with SWR and my tower

    Okay I have been at my wits end with this antenna. I am sure it has been my install, but things definitely didn't go as planned. I want to make it clear right now that the adjustment for this antenna and the Antron 99-A and other antennas have a major flaw. Tower height, coax length, and...
  18. darklife

    The strangest thing with SWR and my tower

    I'm giving up on this for the time being until I either get an antenna analyzer or try a coax choke. I have absolutely no idea why two different SWR meters are showing different readings for different frequencies on the same length of 80' coax. One showing the SWR is lower on low channels, the...
  19. darklife

    The strangest thing with SWR and my tower

    I can't believe this, I think my POS dirt cheap SWR meter I've relied on for years might be faulty. I tuned up the whole antenna almost a foot short because that was what showed best SWR, then little weird things like this post popped out of the strange occurrences I was experiencing. I didn't...
  20. darklife

    The strangest thing with SWR and my tower

    An update of sorts: Just installed a 6' ground rod at the tower base using the watering method, went down in under 10 minutes with a 4lb sledge hammer, so thumbs up for the watering the hole method. However after strapping it to the tower and coming inside, SWR is the same as before at 1.08 or...