FINALLY received my climbing gear and struggled up to the top of my tower today. Connected a dummy load to the choke and had Luz key up the base and check SWR. As close to 1:1 as you can get. So coax and choke ok. BUT... I notice a small tear in the coax sheath close to the PL-259. found a little water inside, but only on the shield and not in the core. Clipped the bad section off and installed a new PL-259.
When I checked out the antenna, I found that the little box on the bottom of the driven element with the SO-239 was half full of water. Everything inside was rusted. Removed the box, climbed down and cleaned the box good iinside. Installed a new SO-239. Put strain reliefs on the two element wires and soldered them in place. Bolted the cover on and sealed up any possible water entry holes. Drilled several drain holes in the bottom of the box just to be sure.
Got down on solid ground and turned the base on. Heard 322 Texas, and we qso'd for 10 minutes or so until the DX faded out at around 8PM.
Glad to be back. It was a long 3 months.
I will be on 37LSB at about 8AM or so tomorrow. Hope to hook up with you guys again. 73.
- J. J. 399
When I checked out the antenna, I found that the little box on the bottom of the driven element with the SO-239 was half full of water. Everything inside was rusted. Removed the box, climbed down and cleaned the box good iinside. Installed a new SO-239. Put strain reliefs on the two element wires and soldered them in place. Bolted the cover on and sealed up any possible water entry holes. Drilled several drain holes in the bottom of the box just to be sure.
Got down on solid ground and turned the base on. Heard 322 Texas, and we qso'd for 10 minutes or so until the DX faded out at around 8PM.
Glad to be back. It was a long 3 months.
I will be on 37LSB at about 8AM or so tomorrow. Hope to hook up with you guys again. 73.
- J. J. 399