Les,
the problem in shifting would be broken caps on the capacitortubes and
moisture
got inside.What also give porblems with older KT34XA whas that KLM used
copperpasta between the joints and shortingstraps on the capacitor-tubes.
This giving after years a bad joint Time to take it down ,order new caps and
you have to rebuild and clean all connection
on the antenna.
It is a lot of work and maybe if you wanna spend some money upgrade it to a
KT36XA
Kit.
Normaly if all is right you don't need a tuner with this antenna.
Marc on4ma
----- Original Message -----
From: <RTTYMAN@aol.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 6:27 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] KT-34 XA Problems
> Hello All:
>
> I have not been active since the VU4 folks provided the final country I
> needed to "have 'em all worked." Now, there are 2 "new ones" I need.
Having had
> some previous problems with obvious higher than normal SWR, I had arcing
in
> the Amp. that partially melted the tuning capacitor plates & some other
> components, as well as arcing in my tuner in addition to the tuner NOT
able to tune
> out the high SWR. The combination of equipment (Amp. & tuner) has been
the
> same for years. The Coax was replaced about 5-7 years ago. I previously
melted
> the original Balun supplied with the XA. A M2 Balun replaced the original
> one. I brought the antenna down & re-checked ALL measurements before
putting it
> back in the air, long ago. It has served well enough (thanks to almost
always
> having to use a tuner) over the years to have 'em all worked & confrimed,
> previously.
>
> Recalling the arcing problems I had previously, I checked the XA the other
> day with a
> MFJ-259 B & discovered the following resonant frequencies where a SWR
> reading of 1.1:1 exists except on 10 Meters where the lowest SWR reading
obtainable
> was 1.6:1.
>
> 20 Meters resonant at 16.4 MHz.
>
> 15 Meters resonant at 20.7 MHz.
>
> 10 Meters resonant (lowest point to resonance) at 28.4
>
> The 2:1 SWR range width is as follows:
>
> 20 M - 335 KHz
>
> 15 M - 170 KHz
>
> 10 M - 1.01 MHz (there is also a 3.5 MHz 2:1 SWR curve at 34.5 to 38.0
MHz)
>
> The M 2 Balun is about three years old ... and the KT-34 XA itself has
been
> in the air for the past twenty five (25) years! Despite its age, it has
> obviously worked well & is testimony to the original design and materials
used.
> This is certainly not a complaint about "not getting my monies worth"
over the
> purchase. Several matters & personal limitations prevented bringing the
> antenna down sooner. It now appears it is indeed time for a new
tri-bander?
>
> If anyone has any ideas as to why the resonance points have shifted so
> dramatically, I would appreciate the information. From ground level, using
> binoculars, all appears to my eyes to be just like it has been for years
& years.
> Birds of many species such as Red Tailed Hawks & Crows have, over the
past 25
> years, used the antenna as a stopping point.
>
> "Yes" ... I'm certain many of you will simply say "just go buy a new
> antenna. You've gotten more than your monies worth from that purchase 25
years ago".
> That sentiment is ever so true & I'm fully aware of that: thank you.
>
> Sarcasm & less than positive comments and/or information are neither
> invited, wanted, appreciated, or remotely desired. We can get enough
"contributors"
> IMO in those fields on other, "more than controversial" matters on a
myriad
> of subjects rather easily.
>
> Thanks in advance to all who may reply & contribute in a positive manner.
>
> 73 & Good DX.
>
> Les, NN6K (RTTY Forever)
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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>
>
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