Loading Coil problem

[Sonwatcher]

I have an aluminum groundplane similar to the Super Magnum

cbtricks.com/ant_manuals/ant_specialists/m_117/ad/index.htm

I suspect a loose solder joint inside because of a sudden pegged SWR. Coax was tested and found ok. The problem is that is is enclosed in the plastic housing. Has anyone ever got inside and repair a coil like this ? If so how did you salvage the housing ?

[Sandbagger]

Jan 11, 2010 19:51:18 GMT -5 Sonwatcher said:

I have an aluminum groundplane similar to the Super Magnum

cbtricks.com/ant_manuals/ant_specialists/m_117/ad/index.htm

I suspect a loose solder joint inside because of a sudden pegged SWR. Coax was tested and found ok. The problem is that is is enclosed in the plastic housing. Has anyone ever got inside and repair a coil like this ? If so how did you salvage the housing ?

Well, I have successfully disassembled the old Radio Shack style GP's with the riveted on coil section. But the type you have may have to have the plastic coil cover sawed off to gain access. Or you may get lucky and be able to slide it off the form once the bracket section is removed. If you have to saw it off, you can always use a piece of suitable sized heat shrink tubing to replace to piece you sawed off.

[Sonwatcher]

Thanks ! I did get it apart and it was shot. So today I made about a 40 mile trip to a Ham that sells antennas and bought a Maco V58. To say I am impressed is an understatement ! The receive is awesome . It took me about 3 hours from the time I started assembly to being mounted on the tower tuned. I enjoyed putting it together. When I finally transmitted I was awestruck. I have mountains north of me. The man I bought the antenna from has never been able to hear me even when using an amp. Tonight I keyed up barefoot and he couldn't believe how well he could hear me. People I often heard bought never able to talk to because they couldn't hear me were hearing me barefoot. One guy close to 50 miles from me told me I was giving him almost the same signal barefoot as I had with the amp previously. I am very happy with its performance !

[Sandbagger]

Jan 14, 2010 21:52:16 GMT -5 Sonwatcher said:

Thanks ! I did get it apart and it was shot. So today I made about a 40 mile trip to a Ham that sells antennas and bought a Maco V58. To say I am impressed is an understatement ! The receive is awesome . It took me about 3 hours from the time I started assembly to being mounted on the tower tuned. I enjoyed putting it together. When I finally transmitted I was awestruck. I have mountains north of me. The man I bought the antenna from has never been able to hear me even when using an amp. Tonight I keyed up barefoot and he couldn't believe how well he could hear me. People I often heard bought never able to talk to because they couldn't hear me were hearing me barefoot. One guy close to 50 miles from me told me I was giving him almost the same signal barefoot as I had with the amp previously. I am very happy with its performance !

A good antenna will really enhance your enjoyment of your radio setup. And with the kind of performance you are getting barefoot, you may find that you don't need to run the amp, and that will reduce potential TVI issues.

What were you running before, that Super magnum with the bad coil? I wonder if that antenna'sperformance had been degrading over the years......

[Sonwatcher]

Yep, the Super Magnum. It had been a work horse. One thing I noticed when opening it up was a lot of chaff that must have blown in from the wind off the fields through the weep whole. Then I noticed where the coil wire goes into a big lug that the coax connector is part of was all corroded up. I couldn't get that part disassembled and I assumed the solder to the connector in it was probably apart. I can't complain as I paid $64 for it brand new in the box and it worked great. But I just can't believe the performance of this 5/8 wave antenna. I thought the other worked good. I talked all around the world on the other one. But this one is amazing and tuned up nice after assembly. Can't wait for 10 to open up !

[zman]

I cant wait to get my W 58 up, but we are expecting a ton of snow in the next few days. I have it hooked to the swingset frame out back awaiting to be tuned. Anything is better than the A 99 im using now but i wont get rid of it as it works great on 10 12 and 15 meters.

[mark]

Well, I used to have the Imax too... I even knew better than to own one even as I was buying it because I ran 5/8 aluminum back in the 1970's! Naturally I went back to the Super-Penetrator which is the typical 5/8 GP design and have never looked back. Sure those white sticks work from 10-15 and even 20, but think about that for a few minutes... Talk about reactance problems!!!?!? ...? Holy cow! If all you ever used was an Antron 99, then how would you ever know any better? I'll be glad when you replace that white stick with an actual antenna also...lol