A large turn-out of members arrived at the Lounge this Saturday to participate in the QSO Party. For this event we brought a number of different radios so members could see them and try out some variations of HF operating. First on-line was Jim’s older radio. He was able to hear a few stations but unable to reach any. We then tried Eric’s KX3. It was showing problems tuning the antenna and heard nothing on the bands. We then tried an Icom 7000 but it also heard nothing. We noticed that jiggling the coax connector gave some sporadic changes to the signal strength

At this point it was clear that the antenna was having some issues. We put the analyzer on the antenna coax and found it flat-lining at high SWR. It was indeed broken. Not having a working antenna the remaining members left with a number going to Brown’s for lunch. Later that day Ralph and Jim returned to review the antenna from the roof and when looking over the lower balun it broke off the supporting coax! The braid and centre conductor had corroded and broken. It would need to be replaced.

Jim and Eric returned on Tuesday and replaced the coax end. The analyzer showed the antenna operating back at normal SWR levels. Reviewing the situation showed that the horizontal elements are sagging and need to be pulled taught to bring the antenna into optimum condition. That task is yet to be scheduled. The vertical coax segment likely should also be replaced with a new piece.