Ah, the simple things will get ya

[KA8WTK]

Lately I noticed things haven't been quite right in the shack. Nothing you could really pin point, but the receivers were sort of deaf. A transmitter would seem to be ok on loading, output and SWR was "OK".
Tonight I tried to use my T-195 for the "What's for Dinner Net" and the old girl just would not auto tune. Two weeks ago it was fine business. So, I pulled the plug and went over to the 32V3. No output. Now what?
After fooling around for a while, I started un-doing all the connectors, inspecting, and putting them back. What I found was the connector on the back of the antenna tuner loose!
Now, I haven't moved that tuner since it was placed on the shelf years ago. Could the connector always have been loose? Could it lossen by itsef? It beats me, but that seems to have been the problem. Just a good thing I haven't had the 4-400 rig on the air recently. That could have been really interesting!
I guess the moral of the story is, don't take anything for granted. Especially the simple things.

Bill KA8WTK

[w3jn]

Good talking with you tonite, Bill, and that T-195 sounds sweet!

[KA8WTK]

When things work it is good! I got out only a few transmissions and then everything went to crap.
As near as I can tell, the T-195 is stock and I am using a carbon mike on it. Hear that dynamotor hummmmm!
Wish it had a solid state supply, but those seem to be rare.

Thanks for the good feedback, John!

Bill

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

Bill, if I had a dollar for every time something simple caused me major problems here, I could easily buy another radio or three! To add insult to injury, it's generally made worse by my habit of looking for something far more serious as the cause while ignoring the simple answer.

Those dynamotor rigs have a lot of personality IMO. Something you don't run into much these days, that's for sure.