I spent today tearing down my Alpha-Delta DX-CC multiband antenna system
to get to the bottom of my recent issues.
I want to admit that I was totally wrong in my statements about water
not getting into my feed line system for that antenna. My feed line
consisted of 100 feet of good quality RG8X with silver plated
connectors. Attached to that was a 8 turn coax choke that was then
connected to the SO-239 on the center insulator.
It was that coax choke that turned out to be the problem. When I
disassembled it I discovered it was full of water. I cut the cable I
made it from in the middle and stripped the outer jacket. The braid was
totally black from contamination. That coax went into the trash for
Monday pickup.
No water or contamination was found in the 100 foot. section.
In any event 200 feet of brand new RG8X coax was purchased from my radio
club stock today and the antenna will go back up tomorrow. This time no
choke.
What puzzles me is why, when the rain stopped my SWR returned to a 1:1
ratio.
A lot of times, when I get frustrated over something my brain starts to
malfunction and I get into what my wife calls, mickey mode and I make
statements that are irrational and often totally wrong. These are the
times I need to just step sway from the computer.
I want to take this time to tell everyone on this list and to especially
to those I have managed to totally piss off this time that I am truly
sorry for my actions and I promise to do a better job to be a more
rational person.
Thanks
Have a great day
73
Thom KI8W
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