Thanks guys for the help & insight.

I checked the MN4 & the Palstar, simultaneously, into a dummy load and found the SWRs to be almost dead on identical.  The 990's meter read almost identical as well.

I then checked the meters (again, simultaneously) into the antennas and found the SWRs to be relatively close, i.e. 1.7:1 on the MN4 vs about 2.2:1 on the Palstar when measured on 20M on the Sigma 5.  Other bands showed the same trend with the MN4 reading slightly lower than the Palstar.  In all cases the 990's SWR meter read somewhat lower, usually around or less than 1.5:1 (except 20M which popped up to 2:1).

So, it looks as though it's a case of *operator* confusion :-)

And, the bottome line would be, if I'm gonna run power, play it safe and get a tuner.

Thanks again
Frank, W1NK

In anticipation of an amp purchase and wanting to know definitely just what SWR my 990 is seeing on my Sigma 5 & 40M windom, I decided to buy an SWR/wattmeter (Palstar WM150) and put it in line.

And so the confusion begins....

The rig's meter (with the ATU *off*) tells me the SWR is less than 2:1 with 100W going into the antennas (except on  80 & 30M, but that's expected).  The Palstar shows SWR's of 2:1 as high as 3+:1 with 90-100W output.

I've been told in the past "believe the rig's meter".  Should there be such a wide discrepancy?  My old MN4 used to show a different SWR than the rig, but never so drastic.

Whaddaya say gang?

Frank W1NK (ex NG1J)

*Maybe* I can save a couple of bucks on the tuner....

I just did a quick check of my SWR on the bands and found it to be less than 3:1 (but there's a twist).

I know from experience with the windom that a tuner will be required if I do any operating on 80.  Even so, I'm sure the antenna will be a "cloud warmer".

I guess I got luck with the Sigma5 as the SWR on 20 appears to be less than 2:1 in the CW portion.

Here's the twist.... namely, the Sigma5 20M SWR....
The SWR meter on the 990 reads 1.5:1 +/- BUT my (old) MN4 (which, BTW, would have to go as it can only handle up to 300W) reads just shy of 3:1.  Which is to be believed??

After the frustration asoociated with a waning sunspot cycle and playing in last weekend's IARU contest, I'm starting to think an amp is in my future.

But, having never run more than barefoot, I have a couple of questions.

I'm considering pairing an AL-811 with my FT-990.  Now I know the AL-811 has a tuned input so I assume I would rarely have to use my rig's ATU because the rig should be "seeing" 50 ohms at the amp.  BUT I assume I would need a tuner between the amp and my antennas (40M Windom & Sigma-5)

Am I thinking correctly?  Am I missing anything?

Thanks
Frank, NG1J

I would drop the guy a note with your QSL saying you'd like to confirm your KZ5 QSO from 1974.  

If he is willing to simply make a notation on your QSL that he is confirming the QSO, this would pass for DXCC purposes.  

Now, who can help me find Obie Johnson, ex-KZ5OJ?

GL
Frank, NG1J

Here's the epilogue...

Once the contest ended (naturally), I shut the station down which included switching off the power strip and decided to read through the manual to see if there was something I could do.  Finding nothing, I figured maybe my removing *all* power to the rig had "reset" the tuner's circuitry.  Believe it or not, it worked.  Tuning on 40 gave a 1:1 SWR on both the rig's meter and the external tuner.

It sounds crazy, but it's true.  I can't explain it and rather than try, I'm just going with it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Frank, NG1J

No, the meter (analog) definitely reads 5:1.

I've tried tuning with the MN4 and can achieve an almost 1:1 match on the MN4's meter, but the rig's meter will read 5:1.  

I have also tried tuning with the MN4 trying to dip the rig's SWR meter (ignoring the MN4's reading) to 1:1 but can achieve 3:1 at best.


Is it possible that some form of calibration only for 40 is needed?

OK, going on the fact that the rig didn't fold back the power out, I just went to 80 (a known high SWR), shut off the internal tuner and the rig folded back the power, immediately.

So, should I still be thinking rig?

Frank

Naturally this had to happen during the CQ WPX contest (I thought I lost Murphy when I moved)

My station consists of an FT-990 and a 40-10M Windom.  I also have in-line a Drake MN4 to get me on 80 (I think it tunes a little broader than the 990's internal tuner).  When not used for 80 the NM4 is kept in the "Direct" (by-pass) position.  Also in-line is a Radioworks "Line Isolator".

So, while on 40 last night, I noticed the 990's SWR meter indicating a 5:1 SWR.  BUT the SWR at the Drake (again in the "direct" position) was 1.3:1.  The best the rig's tuner could do was 5:1.  Indicated power out remained at 100W.

Now, all other bands read fine on the internal tuner & the Drake (all readings less than 1.5:1).  When I physcially take the Drake out of line (antenna attached to the "Line Isolator"), the internal tuner tunes the dipole to 1.5:1 with 100W out.

Now, it sounds as if the Drake is presenting a high SWR, right?  Well, I hooked the antenna up directly to the rig and.... 5:1 SWR on 40 with 100W out.  All other bands tune reasonably well (less than 1.5:1).

So is it the Drake, the antenna (Gasp) or the rig (double Gasp)?

BTW at no time when the rig indicates a 5:1 SWR does it "HI SWR" light come on.    

First, let me preface this by saying I feel I'm asking a pretty silly question and that I feel I may already know the answer.... (hey, I fix people, not gear)

I will be setting up a Force-12 Sigma 5 and need to provide power to the antenna relay control (12VDC @ 95mA).  My FT-990's Remote DIN jack (according to the manual)"...[Pin 7] provides +13.5 VDC at up to 200mA for powering an external device".

Am I correct in assuming that I can safely power the relay control from this source and that I won't be nailing the control with a full 200mA?

Thanks,
Frank

Thanks guys... I kinda felt all along the RG213 was the way to go.

 

Jim--

Force12 makes flag pole antennas that'll get you on 40-10M including WARC.

Check 'em out:
http://force12inc.com/F12-flagpole-ants-001.htm

Also, the antennas are on sale until the end of the month.

Good Luck

Frank, NG1J

Quite frankly (no pun) I'm confused which way to go with a coax run to my soon to be arriving Sigma 5.

I'm planning to run about 100ft of either RG213 or "mini" RG8.

I understand there are "limitations" to the mini-8 namely power handling (although Radioworks claims theirs will handle up to 1500W) being limitted to 500W and the somewhat fragile nature of the cable (I have read in another forum that it can't support its weight in runs >10 ft).

While power isn't a concern...yet ;-) what is, is the ease of the cable run on the XYL's eyes. My present (horizontal) run of 35ft of mini-8, which has held up nicely so far, to my Windom is OK with her.

I have also come to see that there is mini-8 with a solid dielectric. Does this neccessarily translate to more strength over longer runs or, for that matter, improved power handling?

My plan is to run the feedline 35ft to a tree (along with my dipole's feedline), secure it and then run it to the Sigma5. I'm also planning on putting up a run of Double Dacron line to support the cable system.

So, now, that I've rambled on enough, I'll turn it over to the group for opinions....

Frank

Here's the situation....

I'm "plagued" lately by some pretty strong (S9)QRN on 40 (CW) & 160 (in general).

When I turn on the NB (it's kept down so as not to cause signal distortion) the QRN goes away BUT something else happens.

Any signal that is over S9, and I'm talking 20 - 40 dB over, can be heard as a "buzzing" 8 - 10Kc away from the station's transmit frequency. Ie: DX1DX is 40+ and xmitting on 7.015. I can copy his sending as a buzz, say, 7.023 down to his frequency and then further on down to 7.007. Most annoying.

BTW this happens primarily on 40, not on 80 and to a slightly lesser extent on 160.

All I'm running is an FT-990 to a 40-10M Windom. For laughs I hooked up my old rig, an FT-107, and got the same thing.

Any thoughts??

When you're going after the "rare" ones that have a foreign QSL manager, you have to do what it takes to beat the mail thieves.

Here's what has worked for me for several years:

1) DO NOT include ANY call signs on the envelopes (even on the ones going to EU managers)--it's a dead give away that there's greenstamps or IRC's to be had.

2) If you are going to use GS or IRC's: lightly tape your GS or IRC's to your QSL, then, fold your SAE width-wise, place your QSL-IRC/GS combo in the fold, and place everything in the out-going envelope. This effectively hides your IRC's/GS.

3) Even better (I haven't tried this yet) is to obtain the actual return postage for the country you are QSL'ing to. Check out K3FN's page: http://users.net1plus.com/ryoung/index.htm

Good Luck!