New issues with every sunrise. Today I can’t be heard again. WTF? Is it borderline antenna?
Next day was club meeting day at one of my favorite clubs, 285 Tech Connect, so I asked for opinions on my “can’t be heard” issue. At that time I was blaming the antenna and had not yet figured out it might be something else, like an intermittent.
Consulting with a friend about my PAR EF-20 vertical he said all verticals need radials even if they are half wave end fed like mine. I’ve witnessed a controversy on this subject for a long time and I would be skeptical except for one thing. My friend is Bill, N0CU who has a master’s degree in electrical engineering and is a retired Martin rf engineer. I respect his knowledge on antennas to say the least and my next step is to try a counterpoise. The question is unanswered as to why I could work stations on March 3 and not now.
I tried his suggestions. Nothing made any difference, counterpoises, etc. I purchased rf ammeters to help locate stray rf current to no avail. Symptoms remain: can’t be heard.
At this point I am pounding my head against the wall. Nothing seems to help.
W0QL - My Remote Base Journal 