The S meter extension available on many, maybe all of the ~1000 KIWI
remote receivers around the world would give you a faster and better
answer. I use it all the time to evaluate similar antenna levels.
http://rx.linkfanel.net/ No software needed, just connect in Chrome or
similar browser.
On Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 3:42 PM Stan Stockton <wa5rtg@gmail.com> wrote:
> A little dilemma - I just put up another tribander at ZF9CW on my new
> tower. I originally had two smaller tribanders on a separate tower. I had
> built two identical chokes and they have another torroid across the
> feedpoint that would electrically ground both sides of all three driven
> elements to the boom for additional top loading for my 160m shunt feed.
>
> When I took the smaller antennas down I did a little work on the balun -
> re-soldered some connections, etc. I don’t think I changed which side of
> the element the center conductor would be attached to but cannot be 100%
> positive.
>
> Now, I decided to make another large tribander and built a swing arm so I
> can rotate it and have the other balun on it. I know I didn’t change that
> balun. The antennas are at 78 and 47 feet. I am seeing some S Meter
> readings when switching between, upper, lower, both that make me wonder
> whether I actually have them 180 degrees out of phase instead of in phase.
>
> I could add an electrical half wavelength of coax for one band and
> evaluate it over time, with and without that extra coax in line with one
> antenna and try to determine what I’ve got. Would it be good enough to
> call CQ on 15m, look at the RBN for JA spots and then insert a half
> wavelength of coax for 15m and do it again comparing the results and assume
> that in phase would be the better of the two?
>
> I don’t want to do what would be necessary to reach the balun on the top
> antenna which is out about 8 feet. That choke across the feedpoint makes
> it impossible for me to just use a piece of aluminum tubing as an extended
> lead from an ohm meter to tell what is what. I could more easily tilt the
> lower one up and get to the balun to change it if I knew for sure they were
> currently out of phase.
>
> What I’m looking for from the experts is the best way to determine whether
> these antennas are in phase or out of phase without a lot of guesswork or
> info on how I could best flip the phasing 180 degrees for all three bands.
> I would not necessarily know which was which but have the ability to flip
> it 180 degrees from wherever it currently is.
>
> Thanks…Stan, ZF9CW
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