The only reason i cut the 30' off was when i ordered the cable (LMR 400) i purchased 130' because I had not decided where the a99 was going to be installed as far as the distance from the radio to the antennas feed point (so239).
The a99 was installed where only 95' was needed and 35' was Just laying around the yard.
I left an extra 5' on so i could move the station though out the room if need be.
The added 5' mast did nothing but cause problems.
It was just my bad luck that before I could take and write down my readings on 1,20 and channel 40 then post the readings for advice on what to do to optimize my antennas performance,
I lost out put on AM shortly after taking some readings on channel 1and couldn't continue (coincidence I hope usb and lsb were not affected).
The problem was a bad mixer ic. I had it repaired and just received it back. I will be hooking the Madison back up in a day or two but cant use it until i receive the meter and dummy load.
Unfourtunatly I will have to add the 30' back via a barrel connector. I decided (foolishly) not to add the choke because of the conflicting
amount of turns and diameter.for LMR 400 I was getting.
I now know it's five turns at an 8" diamater installed two feet below the feed point.
I'm fairly positive I need the Choke but won't know for sure untill I post my readings and y'all can advise me.
I purchased the dummy load after returning the mfj 826b. I found it impossible to tune my amp with the 826b as the digital functions of the power readings were not for me.
I swapped it in for the 828 which has the cross needle meter and the digital features of the 826b.
I made what was a minor problem a major one and learned a lesson. .If it's not broken dont fix it. I don't know how the extra 5' mast caused a minor problem to become a much larger or if that's even what made a decant station that made daily contacts with no problem what so ever stop doing that but because of my mistake I began to read about how to take meter readings with the dummy load and then the antenna. Writing down these readings and comparing them. This may leed to a solution.
If need be I will take down the whole antenna and start from scratch.
I was basically gonna give up and pack everything away but I think it was waverider who inspired me by saying something to the affect that no matter what the problem, There's always a fix.
The issue causing all the problems from the beginning is I cannot put the antenna on my or above my roof line, period.
I'm going to have to get my antenna to work the best it can with the hight and the site it sits at in my yard.
As soon as I recive the dummy load and meter (Saturday).
I will post all dummy load readings stock then with the amp inline.
Then all readings stock then with the amp inline while hooked up to the antenna.
I will wait to hear from all who will give advice and without rushing take it step by step to see if I can get the antenna readings to aacceptable operating conditions so I can begin enjoying dx'ing again. Thanks. QUOTE="vkrules, post: 525682, member: 24352"]I'm trying to decipher what you are saying. So the swr is good , dead flat at about ch 20 but your meter is showing lower power out. Is that correct?
You have cut out 30 ft of coax i would expect to see a difference on the SWR.
The load has changed at the tx end.I suspect is you use an ant analyzer you will see a highly reactive load.
