Was home this past weekend and got to working on new power (6-AWG versus 10/2 Duplex previously) and had one terrifically frustrating pair of days with high SWR. COULDN’T crack it.
So back in went the starboard door frame SS Spot Mirror Mount (Bobs CB) and a Wilson beehive sporting a 5’ Skipshooter.
Used the U980 to track & correct high SWR with this and am now at about 1.5:1. Left the new KL7405v at home and reinstalled the KL-203.
Main engine at idle I show 14.2V with silent PTT (amp on or off).
Have PALOMAR ENGINEERS Line Isolator at feedpoint and coax filter at transceiver. Amp and Bandpass filters as before.
Without question I lose some signals prematurely as the trailer blocks them. A 6’ Skipshooter is on the list.
Even with those external changes this radio shines nicely. Haven’t traveled far due to a shipper load problem, but I’ve started to read the manual and make a few changes, such as the suggested 15/2 Echo/Delay setting.
I’ll try the A636L mic I had converted for the U980 again, and will toy with the Skipshooter nail to see if SWR won’t come down a little. Etc.
Tuesday & Wednesday the two worst radio days I’ve ever had.
Just wasn’t going to give up.
Now, with three (3) filters in line I’d say that the “noise” has lost its crackling edge and is simply smoother.
Easier to ignore. I’m “later” in going to noise controls, also. (This is a win).
I’d never pass contributor
Eldorado-828 inspection as of today (squared away truck cab), but I’m
real glad nothing got damaged in a permanent way (think the cophase harness got graunched). But what you see works pretty nicely.
I’ve sat all day just across the river from Vicksburg and have left only the Hi-Cut filter turned on the past 16-hours. Very little to hear. But the “noise” no distraction as I did other reading. (Same volume settings as early in this thread). What RX came in was
easy listening.