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Title: Antenna Tuner Question Post by: W4RFM on April 27, 2015, 04:37:58 PM Okay I should know this, but my mind is getting foggy. I have just put up a couple of MFJ 1777 Doublet antennas. One is pointing north-south, one east-west. I have the proper MFJ W9INN Balun boxes , one for each antenna connected. I connect them to my Collins R-388 and I can hear everyone, left coast,(I am in Alabama) Canada, you name it. I got out my my Kenwood 520S SSB radio just to have a conversation with a good friend, the radio connects to my Heath kit 2040 antenna tuner, and I get absolutely nothing into the BIRD 43 meter. Without it, I am putting 120 watts in (CW), but reflecting goes to the peg. I realize I need a tuner with these antennas so I connected it in the circuit: radio to tuner to Bird to antenna. Nothing. What am I doing wrong? (Besides using side band - of course) ;)
Title: Re: Antenna Tuner Question Post by: nq5t on April 27, 2015, 04:52:05 PM Not familiar with the 2040, so can't guess at what setting/jumper-thingy might be mis-set (?).
But the Bird should be between the radio and the tuner, not outbound from the tuner. Title: Re: Antenna Tuner Question Post by: Ralph W3GL on April 27, 2015, 05:09:01 PM Okay I should know this, but my mind is getting foggy. I have just put up a couple of MFJ 1777 Doublet antennas. One is pointing north-south, one east-west. I have the proper MFJ W9INN Balun boxes , one for each antenna connected. I connect them to my Collins R-388 and I can hear everyone, left coast,(I am in Alabama) Canada, you name it. I got out my my Kenwood 520S SSB radio just to have a conversation with a good friend, the radio connects to my Heath kit 2040 antenna tuner, and I get absolutely nothing into the BIRD 43 meter. Without it, I am putting 120 watts in (CW), but reflecting goes to the peg. I realize I need a tuner with these antennas so I connected it in the circuit: radio to tuner to Bird to antenna. Nothing. What am I doing wrong? (Besides using side band - of course) ;) Try the following routing: Radio --> Bird --> Tuner then Antenna feeder... Tune in CW mode, power reduced, to show initial low level reflected power on Bird. Then adjust Tuner for minimum reflected power. Then set Bird for forward and increase output power and peak for maximum output... If you are going to use CW or SSB you are all set... For AM, set your forward output power to 1/4 of the peak reading on the Bird for AM to allow "head-room" for the AM and avoid carrier shift at 100% modulation... Title: Re: Antenna Tuner Question Post by: W4RFM on April 27, 2015, 05:14:29 PM Took your advice, works FB now. I knew it was me.......
BTW The Heath 2040 is the big 1 KW job patterned after the Lew McCoy design. Split 200/200 mfd, roller inductor and a 200 mfd output cap. Thanks Title: Re: Antenna Tuner Question Post by: W2VW on April 27, 2015, 05:17:45 PM Okay I should know this, but my mind is getting foggy. I have just put up a couple of MFJ 1777 Doublet antennas. One is pointing north-south, one east-west. I have the proper MFJ W9INN Balun boxes , one for each antenna connected. I connect them to my Collins R-388 and I can hear everyone, left coast,(I am in Alabama) Canada, you name it. I got out my my Kenwood 520S SSB radio just to have a conversation with a good friend, the radio connects to my Heath kit 2040 antenna tuner, and I get absolutely nothing into the BIRD 43 meter. Without it, I am putting 120 watts in (CW), but reflecting goes to the peg. I realize I need a tuner with these antennas so I connected it in the circuit: radio to tuner to Bird to antenna. Nothing. What am I doing wrong? (Besides using side band - of course) ;) You forgot step 4 Ralph. Check feedthrough for signs of fire. Try the following routing: Radio --> Bird --> Tuner then Antenna feeder... Tune in CW mode, power reduced, to show initial low level reflected power on Bird. Then adjust Tuner for minimum reflected power. Then set Bird for forward and increase output power and peak for maximum output... If you are going to use CW or SSB you are all set... For AM, set your forward output power to 1/4 of the peak reading on the Bird for AM to allow "head-room" for the AM and avoid carrier shift at 100% modulation... |