Tuning
Your antenna is now ready for tuning. Remove it from your assembly area and mount it on a temporary
mast at least 8 feet off the ground. Using a SWR analyzer or radio and SWR meter, check for
a dip in swr at or about 144.300 MHZ. You should see a dip in the SWR. If not, Check all connections
and retest. If the dip is too low in frequency, move the loop ends in toward the boom. Move each side the
same and keep them both the same distance from the boom. If the dip is too high in frequency, move the
loop ends out away from the boom. It is not necessary to tighten the clamps each time for tuning. Once
the dip is centered where you want it, tighten the clamps on the tubes. Do not use a wrench or powered
device to tighten the clamps. A nut driver or screwdriver is plenty to do the job.
Move out to shift frequency down
Attach your coax to the feed loop using the remaining 8-32 nuts and lock washers.
Make the distance of the exposed conductors as short as possible. Seal this connection
using a appropriate sealant to prevent water from entering the coax. Wind a choke balun
into the coax using a household cleaner or spray paint can. Put 3 turns around the can and
secure the coax together using cable ties. Attach the balun to the boom with tape and route
the coax along the boom to the mast and go down from there.
