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IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS...
Check out your installation again, looking for loose connections and checking all dimensions. Then refer to the list of possible symptoms
below:
Symptom:
Few or no signals heard: bands seem "dead", SWR is very high.
Look for:
Open or shorted feedline, open or shorted matching line, broken connection at base of antenna (feedpoint).
Symptom:
High SWR on 20m; other bands OK.
Look for:
Missing matching line. Antenna not properly tuned. 20m radials not present or wrong length. Consult instructions for
tuning and radial information; install matching line (RG-11 75 ohm coax, 11' 4" if solid dielectric, 13' 6" if foam type).
Symptom:
High SWR on some bands, but signals heard on all bands (conditions permitting).
Look for:
Missing or defective radial system. Install as per instructions and check connections to radials and ground system. Keep
this connection 6" or less.
Symptom:
High SWR on one band when antenna is roof-mounted. Radials are in place, but antenna will just not tune.
Look for:
Radials of wrong length or running close to metal rain gutters or roof flashing. Tune radials and/or reroute them away from
metal.
Symptom:
Tuning is "sharp" with narrow bandwidth on 80m (and 160m if TBR 160 is in place).
Look for:
Normal condition. The total length of the antenna represents such a small percent of a wavelength on these bands that
sharp tuning is a normal condition.
Symptom:
Antenna was installed on the ground and tuned OK, but tuning changed over a period of weeks or months.
Look for:
Antenna installed over poor ground system. Ground conditions have changed, causing shift in resonance. Install radial
system as per instructions. Check connection to radial system. When you see this problem, you may assume that a ground
rod without a radial system is not enough.
Symptom:
Resonant point changes during wet weather.
Look for:
Normal condition.
Symptom:
Insulation arcs over between 80m and 40m coils damaging fiberglass.
Look for:
Operation at high power levels in areas where salt or pollution deposits have built up on the insulators. The cure is to keep
insulators clean through routine maintenance.
Symptom:
Intermittent operation. SWR jumps up and down suddenly, and reception is also intermittent.
Look for:
Loose connections in the feedline or matching line (if used). Bad relay in rig. Bad antenna switch or connecting cable.
Broken or corroded connections at the feedpoint. Bad radial/ground connection. Radial or antenna contacting metal when
wind blows. Loose hardware on the antenna. Check and secure all connections.
Symptom:
Antenna displays generally degraded performance after long period of time.
Look for:
Lack of routine maintenance. Coax may be waterlogged or damaged. Build up of salt or pollution deposits on insulators
and capacitors. Radial system corroded or rotted away. Owner must do routine maintenance at intervals, according to
local conditions.
Symptom:
SWR is OK on 75m, but goes up gradually when high power is applied. This is accompanied by heating of 200pF
capacitor.
Look for:
Bad ceramic capacitor. Replace.
Symptom:
Antenna doesn't tune 80m or 160m, even
though radials are in place and of proper
length.
Look for:
Antenna far out of tune; operator has not
followed systematic tuning procedure.
Start with suggested settings in
instructions. Make an SWR chart to
determine point of resonance. Adjust
coils
carefully!
Remember, tuning, is
"sharp" on these bands, so it is easy to
pass the resonant point, then assume
erroneously that the antenna isn't tuning.
BEFORE you call the manufacturer for help, please
double check your installation, including all connections
and dimensions. Tune carefully and systematically. Have
SWR curves available. Be prepared to describe your
installation in detail.
