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43′ Vertical Matching Network Debugging

 

43′ Vertical Matching Network Debugging

Filed in Antennas on Aug.20, 2010

We had some trouble getting the 43′ vertical matching network working at Field Day.  With primitive tools and workspace, we did what debugging we could at the time, and determined that it was miswired.  I must have left it that way and forget where I was in the project at some point.  Anyway, Don, W9BHI found our blog and mentioned that the pictures showed that it was incorrectly wired.

I haven’t dug the matching network back out yet, but here are two pictures of the last state we were in before we finally removed and used the Unun standalone with the vertical for 40 – 6 meters for the rest of Field Day.

 

 
Re-wired matching network – Right side

 
Rewired matching network – Left Side

I believe it was wired correctly at this point, but there was obviously something still wrong, as it still wouldn’t even load up on 40 – 6 meters in this state.

It looks like the input comes in through the caps, and attaches to the tap of the Unun.  The other side goes to ground, and the third side goes to the common of one of the 60 – 10m relay contacts.  In the de-energized state, the active pole goes to the active pole of a second contact, and out through that common to the monopole side of the vertical.

They aren’t very clear pictures, but comparing them to pictures of Don’s box, they look electrically the same for the RF part of the circuit.  Maybe someone else can spot a difference.  At this point, I’m still leaning toward the blocking capacitors being “weird” at HF.

 

 
W9BHI Example

Migrated Comments:

4 Responses to “43′ Vertical Matching Network Debugging”

  1. Skip NC9O Says:
    June 2nd, 2011 at 10:06 am

    For one thing I noticed that the taps in W9BHI’s on the short inductor are connected differently. Check your tap on the coil and his.

  2. Tilt-Over Support for 43′ Vertical Says:
    April 29th, 2012 at 9:11 am

    […] 43' Vertical Matching Network Debugging […]

  3. 43′ Vertical Matching Network Debugging – con’t Says:
    April 29th, 2012 at 9:13 am

    […] 43' Vertical Matching Network Debugging […]

  4. Field Day 2010 – Preparations Says:
    April 29th, 2012 at 9:15 am

    […] 43' Vertical Matching Network Debugging […]

     

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