Thanks everyone.  It does appear to be the gray connecting cable between the sensor unit and the meter.   When extended to operate "remotely," it seems to operate intermittently.

Purchased the Arrow 4-element 146-4s recently.    Would like to mount on an existing +/- 25 ft mast.  However, I need to select a rotator.  I'm not really interested in the $300+ units marketed to hams.  I'm hoping an inexpensive TV rotor will do the trick with this very light beam.

Considering the AntennaCraft TDP2 which is a very basic rotator.    Anybody have one of these for a light beam?

Thanks in advance,

Bill
KF5JAT

Purchased a W4 off of you know where.  Excellent shape physically, even has the inspection tag on it still.  However, DOA.   Meter movement is not stuck as it moves freely.   Where do I look first? 

I have been listening to the 10m contest on and off the past couple days.  Seems like the band is fairly open.   I have a 20+ year old mag mount CB antenna, stuck on a piece of steel pipe on the ground outside a first story window, connected to Radio Shack HTX-10.  The stations are booming in right now.

Question - do you think anyone will bring out a new 10m SSB mobile for the increasing sunspot activity?  I don't ask this for myself, as I am satisfied with my radios.   However, I'd like to get my Dad back into the hobby and it might be a fun way to do it.

I see that Alinco makes a 10m FM only.

73's
KF5JAT

Yes, no load.

I think I may have found the problem, although no idea of solution.   There's 120VAC between the bias supply and ground.   Should be nothing or almost nothing.

When I was checking for AC on the HV and bias supplies, the insulation of the wire jumper I'm using to switch the unit on sizzled and the jumper fell out.   I wonder if I'm just dealing with a short in the supply cord....

Interesting, thanks for the comment.  My HV supplies seem to be off spec, to the high side:

780V vs 650v
312V vs 250v
AC is fine at 14VAC

Please bear with me, I'm learning.

Bill
KF5JAT

Thanks - I did some troubleshooting and sure enough, my bias voltage is -55 to -99 vs. spec of -40 to -70. 

I rebuilt my AC-4 some time ago using the Heathkit Shop kit.   However, I only recently was re-licensed and became interested in transmitting.  Got my TR-4C back from repair and it works GREAT (excellent receiver now).  I did not send in my AC-4 because I was pretty sure it worked fine after the rebuild.  However, the minimum bias I can adjust is 150 milliamps..... too high.  It's up from there as I rotate the pot.

Unfortunately I misplaced the instructions for the kit, so I'm not sure if I've done something wrong or not.   I will contact the Heathkit shop....but in the meantime, anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Bill
KF5JAT

Thank you.  My new call is KF5JAT.   

Hopefully I'll have the rig back in a couple weeks.

-Bill

I'm looking forward to operating some CW once I'm back up to (slow) speed, but I know it's not for everyone.   I'm certainly not young, but in my mid-30s am probably younger than the average Ham.   The technology of the hobby is something that needs to be advanced/advertised more heavily....and not to offend anyone, but there is a stereotype of the guy with a walkie talkie hanging on his hip.   That's a fact, and not attractive to younger folks that want to be "cool" socially.  

However, it wasn't long ago that users of computer bulletin boards (BBS's) were on the cutting edge of dorkiness.  Now there isn't a kid alive that doesn't have a facebook account.  

73's

KF5JAT

Thanks, can't wait to get back on the airwaves.   Will hopefully have my rig back in a couple weeks.

New callsign is in place - KF5JAT

73's

-Bill

Have my Drake TR-4C in for tune-up etc.   Just passed my General last weekend after a long hiatus from amateur radio.  Looking forward to again seeing it glow on my desk.

-Bill

Scotty, congratulations!   Do you have station equipment already?

That's correct, I was well outside of the grace period.  I took the elements just as if I had never been an amateur operator.   My original ticket was issued in 1990 - Novice w/5 wpm code.   Believe it or not, I can still copy slow code without too much of a problem, despite not being active in 15+ years.  Must be like riding a bike.  I do look forward to operating CW mode as well as others.

Great to hear that it could be less than 2 weeks.  I have to admit that I checked the ULS database this morning just for fun.  Nothing yet - no surprise!

-Bill

Tisha and Jim,

Thanks for the welcome back.   I am really looking forward to getting back into amateur radio.

Now I just have to get everything together to make that first contact once my callsign is in the database.    Get radio back, throw up some kind of antenna, etc.   The pleasures of HOA's!

-Bill (formerly KB5LWN a LONG time ago)