LOOPY loop matching

[Lloyd Lachow-2]

Using a K2 with autotuner, and trying to match a 302' loop which is up
about 50', fed with 300 ohm window line, through an Elecraft balun -
which is what I've been doing for a long time - suddenly, this
morning, the best SWR I can get on 15M is 5.3:1,  and the best I can
get on 80M is 4:1, 4.8:1 at 3560.

I checked the loop visually, it seems physically fine, not even
iced-over. All other bands are matchable below 2:1.

Formerly, all bands were closely matchable...what could be causing this?

  LL/K3ESE
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Lloyd Lachow-2]

OK! I checked the continuity, which I shoulda done in the first place,
and discovered its absence.

I then looked at the feedline connection at the loop with binoculars,
and it looks fine - the last time it was down for maintenance, I added
strain relief, which have withstood beaucoup bad WX...but this recent
spate of high winds must have caused a failure at at least one of the
joints.

Down it will come, once I locate my 100W solder gun - and the ice
melts a little more.

Until then, it will be a fancy longwire on some bands...and the 88'
EDZ will be pressed into service.

Thanks for the replies!

  LL/K3ESE
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

If it's a closed loop, what's the d-c resistance through it now?

Did the autotuner have to seek a match today or did the relays simply click
to the last setting stored in memory? If it did a seek, then something had
changed significantly that affected all bands although its only on 15 meters
that the ATU can't settle on a good match. .

It's too late now for this instance, but keeping track of tuner settings is
one of the best ways to check to see if anything has changed in the antenna.
SWR doesn't say much with a wide-range tuner since it'll usually find a
match no matter what.  

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
Using a K2 with autotuner, and trying to match a 302' loop which is up about
50', fed with 300 ohm window line, through an Elecraft balun - which is what
I've been doing for a long time - suddenly, this morning, the best SWR I can
get on 15M is 5.3:1,  and the best I can get on 80M is 4:1, 4.8:1 at 3560.

I checked the loop visually, it seems physically fine, not even iced-over.
All other bands are matchable below 2:1.

Formerly, all bands were closely matchable...what could be causing this?

  LL/K3ESE

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com