Wavrider. With some extra research I found out that the MFj 915 isn't a replacement for an air choke.
With that being said, if I have a problem with the workings of the new a99.
I will install my 11 meter wire dipole.
The mfj 915 is a line choke is for such an antenna (dipole) and will keep it if I go with the dipole.
I'm actually thinking about putting up the dipole in a horizontal configuration even if the new a99 and everythiing else I'm replacing works.
I wasn't able to track down the cause of what was causing my serving ref and lowering of ny output when going higher in frequency. I did everything possible to find the problem by eliminating what could've been the cause. I did this by removing every apliance one by one but could track it down. I Started by replacing jumpers one by one. Then removed my maco 150 preamp.Then the amplifier until i was left with the madison, meter and antenna. With no change in the problem. I then replaced the madison with the Washington. Still no change. Next I took the antenna out of line and installed a 20 watt 60 watt pep dummy load to the meter and Wallah! The swr was not only perfect but the output dead key was 4 watts with 10 watts pep on channel 1 - 40 with a negligible change in swr and output throughout all 40 channels.
So I assumed the problem had to be in the antenna system somewhere between my coax and antenna itself. I even removed the Madison and replaced it with the Washington just to dubble check the dummy load readings and I got the same dummy load results with the Washington.rigs arent the problem.
Getting back to The 915. I may or may not need it.
the seller whom I purchased it from does have a 30 day no questions asked money back return policy.
I purchased the MFj 868 and a 1500 watt dummy load off her so she's gonna actually extend it to a 60 day money back return.
I'm assuming why no one mentioned the 915 for a replacement for air wound rf choke aka ugly balun. Is because there two different items.
I've read that one of the reasons an air choke works as it does is there's no breaks in the air choke. If the mfj was installed at the antenna feed point it would need to be installed with a jumper causing a break in what should be a continuss loop on a single piece of coax.
I'm not sure if the articles I read are correct or even if I'm understanding or exsplaning what I read properly.
If not can you or someone exsplan what the MFj 915 's pupose is for?
I also wanna say, wavrider wheather I'm correct or not I have no ill felling for your suggestions and please continue to answer and give advice on any questions I ask as I value your input and knowlage.
I also found through my reading that LMR 400 although an excellent coax has an inherent problem due to it's ridgitness and if bent especially at the ends where the pl 259's are installed can actually kink and break the solid piece center soid copper wire.
If I'd done more research and asked more questions before i purchased the 400 I would've purchased the ultra flex instead or the plastic like outer sheild the LMR 400 has. if i do and im most likly gonna put the dipole up for skip use which i beleve wil l peform better than the a99 for dx'ing. I will purchase the lmr 400 or maybe the 240 for use on the dipole..
I've left nothing to chance on the new install. I did change the pl 259's on my 100' LMR after I cut the extra coax off that just wasn't needed (about 25'.
I did a very poor job of relacing the pl 259 where the extra 25' was cut, I did agan. I'm not sure the second 259 i installed was any better than the first one.
This alone would be enough to cause the problems I was exsperiancing
I sent my eight lmr 240 and four 400 jumpers, the 100" transciver to antenna LMR 400 to my tec to test and change out any 259's that are problematic and i suspect he will find more than a few bad ones. I'm confident everythings gonna work fine with the new insall. F I have a decent working station but know I can get it better i will concider purchesing a rohn or the like telescopic mast as to get the antenna above the roof line. What bothers me is at about 12' above the ground my station worked fine until I added another 5' mast. And even though I removed it the 5' mast the problem remained. I'm very optimistic beginning with the new a99 and any pl 259's replaced will correct the problemd anf I'll be back on the sir enjoying my hobby for many years to come. Thank to everyone who's taken the time to help me every time I ask fot help.
