I hope I have posted this in the correct thread, please accept my apology if I have not!
I just purchased a Workman W-58, and the instructions included were a Maco reprint.
I am having SWR problems, I cannot get it set. I am hoping that I have missed something, and someone can spot it.
The only way I can get the swr down to where the antenna is resonant is to totally collapse the second section up all the way into the lowest section, over-all measurement puts it at about 16 feet. SO it will tune as a half wave, but not as a 5/8's!
I have followed the directions for the length, measuring to the very bottom of the base assembley, I have tried it to the first hole, still very high swr, no matter where I measure it.
Before I continue, allow me to explain what I have done.
I have followed the directions perfectly, checked and rechecked to make sure that it is assembled correctly. (verified by two different hams too
)
The strap that connects from the vertical radiator is about 1 inch above the insulating material.
The ends of the gamma are 1 inch apart, I check this continuously to make shure I didnt change it by accident.
I do not have any corrosion any where.
With the gamma match REMOVED my fluke meter shows infinite ohms between the base and the radiator, dead short when the gamma is attached (to be expected).
My coax is Double Shielded RG-213 type with professionally installed connectors, it checks out with an ohm meter, on another antenna, and shows a perfect match with a dummy load connected on the far end.
The antenna gives identical results mounted on the 10 foot test pole, or on the tower.
Both test pole and tower have NOTHING near them whatsoever.
The ladder I use on my test pole is fiberglass.
The ground radials are attached when I take swr measurements.
I have used three different SWR meters, a radio shack, an Autek WM-1 and an old junky one... same results.
I am about ready to trash this thing and get an IMAX 2k.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I just purchased a Workman W-58, and the instructions included were a Maco reprint.
I am having SWR problems, I cannot get it set. I am hoping that I have missed something, and someone can spot it.
The only way I can get the swr down to where the antenna is resonant is to totally collapse the second section up all the way into the lowest section, over-all measurement puts it at about 16 feet. SO it will tune as a half wave, but not as a 5/8's!
I have followed the directions for the length, measuring to the very bottom of the base assembley, I have tried it to the first hole, still very high swr, no matter where I measure it.
Before I continue, allow me to explain what I have done.
I have followed the directions perfectly, checked and rechecked to make sure that it is assembled correctly. (verified by two different hams too
)
The strap that connects from the vertical radiator is about 1 inch above the insulating material.
The ends of the gamma are 1 inch apart, I check this continuously to make shure I didnt change it by accident.
I do not have any corrosion any where.
With the gamma match REMOVED my fluke meter shows infinite ohms between the base and the radiator, dead short when the gamma is attached (to be expected).
My coax is Double Shielded RG-213 type with professionally installed connectors, it checks out with an ohm meter, on another antenna, and shows a perfect match with a dummy load connected on the far end.
The antenna gives identical results mounted on the 10 foot test pole, or on the tower.
Both test pole and tower have NOTHING near them whatsoever.
The ladder I use on my test pole is fiberglass.
The ground radials are attached when I take swr measurements.
I have used three different SWR meters, a radio shack, an Autek WM-1 and an old junky one... same results.
I am about ready to trash this thing and get an IMAX 2k.
Any ideas?
Thanks!