2025 20m Antenna Repair: Difference between revisions
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updated state of affairs of 20m antenna (blessup homie, praying for you) project |
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>NQ9Z flip-flopped the sizes for connectors by accident. | <nowiki>*</nowiki>NQ9Z flip-flopped the sizes for connectors by accident. | ||
== 7th September 2025 == | |||
Following replacement of the balun onto the tower, a transceiver was connected to the antenna, and it was confirmed that no audible signal was produced on the 20m antenna. Upon further testing with a NanoVNA, it was determined that, after connecting directly to the 20m feedline, an SWR of >10 was present across the 20m band, with extremely random readings across the hf bands. It was additionally determined that 20m SWR would range as high as ~75 for significant periods of time in the feedline was moved or disturbed in any way. Followup testing will be conducted by connecting directly to the 20m beam to determine if poor performance is the result of feedline degradation. The suggested present course of action is to prepare for a feedline replacement, although station engineers do acknowledge that solder joints and mechanic crimp or bolted connections may be at fault. A full visual survey will be conducted at a later date by a tower climber. | |||
Revision as of 20:59, 7 September 2025
On 4th April 2025 the feed line to 20m antenna broke off the balun. The original connection was spliced coax without a connector.
The balun termination was replaced with an n-type connector, connected to the antenna via 1/4" 20 stainless hex bolts. Female (jack) termination located on feedline, male (plug) termination located on antenna balun due to coax comparability with connectors on hand*. Repairs on the 7th September 2025.
*NQ9Z flip-flopped the sizes for connectors by accident.
7th September 2025
Following replacement of the balun onto the tower, a transceiver was connected to the antenna, and it was confirmed that no audible signal was produced on the 20m antenna. Upon further testing with a NanoVNA, it was determined that, after connecting directly to the 20m feedline, an SWR of >10 was present across the 20m band, with extremely random readings across the hf bands. It was additionally determined that 20m SWR would range as high as ~75 for significant periods of time in the feedline was moved or disturbed in any way. Followup testing will be conducted by connecting directly to the 20m beam to determine if poor performance is the result of feedline degradation. The suggested present course of action is to prepare for a feedline replacement, although station engineers do acknowledge that solder joints and mechanic crimp or bolted connections may be at fault. A full visual survey will be conducted at a later date by a tower climber.