Double Bazooka and SWR - Help!!!

[Choirboy]

I finally got my Double Bazooka today, mounted it in an inverted V configuration and connected it to my base radio (1991 148GTL) with a 12' RG-213/U antenna cable. When I key the mike, the radio hums, the meter light dims and my touch-base bedstand reading light across the room goes on and off! Using the meter in the radio, the SWRs are well into the red but not pegged. Also, I don't seem to be hearing anything, and I'm only 1 mile from I-35 in Austin.

Am I missing something....

Thanks!

[521 Houston]

First, make sure the legs are stretched tight from the center of the antenna.

Second, you'll need to trim the ends of the antenna wires until you get the swr to an acceptable range. Whatever you trim from one end, you HAVE to take the same from the other to keep it balanced. Try about an inch at a time off both ends until you see a change.

Third, before you start trimming, be SURE that the antenna is positioned how you intend to operate it... be it inverted V for local, or horizontal for base and dx use. If it's horizontal, also be sure the flat side is parallel to which direction you want to talk.

I'm running mine horizontal and have 1.2 or less all the way across the band, and even down on 26.915 and lower.

[Choirboy]

OK, I'll try that. Can I put the center of the antenna in the corner of the ceiling and run the "arms" along two walls at a 45 degree horizontal angle (entire antenna at ceiling level)?

Thanks, 521. I figured I could count on ya... :D

[521 Houston]

Yes, you can, but it would be better to run it across the center of the ceiling or straight along one wall. Straighter is better, unless you choose the inverted V, in which case the center of the antenna would be as high as possible and centered on the wall, with the legs angling down from there.

Just remember, however you run it, keep the legs as tight as you can get them without ripping the antenna apart. You'll be able to tell when the slack is out of it.

[521 Houston]

This is what you can expect in a horizontal pattern... looking down from the top. As you can see, the direction you talk in most should be towards the side of the dipole when mounted, so the lobe of the antenna radiates in that direction.

In an inverted V pattern, it would be more circular around the whole antenna rather than directional as shown above.

[Choirboy]

Well, I remounted the antenna as I said, and started trimming. I've taken about 10" off each end in 1" increments with no lessening of the SWRs. Do I need to keep going, or could something else be wrong?

Thanks!

[Rex_foxhound]

Your getting sleepy, very sleepy... (just look at that picture long enough) HAHA

[Choirboy]

BTW, the antenna is in a "L" shape when looking down from the top. I don't have a big enough room to mount it straight across....

[521 Houston]

Mine has about 2 1/2 inches of wire sticking out each end from the jacket.

Good thing about a dipole is, if in the event you DO end up cutting it too short, it's easy to add wire back by simply wrapping a piece of wire to the ends and soldering it in place.

I am assuming you are restretching the antenna tight ALL THE way to the tips and not leaving the ends hanging loose after you are trimming it?

[Looney]

they work good? i have never saw antenna like that

[Choirboy]

I remounted the antenna in an inverted "V" on my only outside wall and rerouted the coax to avoid some electrical interference, but I'm still not hearing much.

I'm down to about 5" from the end of the covering, but the SWRs are still way in the red. Does this thing need to be grounded?

Is there hope, or is it time for Plan B

Thanks, y'all!

[Choirboy]

Here is a photo of my current configuration for anyone who might help me troubleshoot....

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Thanks again, y'all!

[Phaze91460]

Send a PM to Falkon Mx5 and see if he can help you with that. He has researched more antenna theory than anyone I know. He has also made one of those from scratch.

[Gadfly]

Bring your coax straight down below the ends of the Vee THEN run it at a right angle to where you want to connect it. I suspect that having your coax paralleling the leg of the dipole may a detrimental effect.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't run a lot of power sitting under that thing!

Hope this helps.


Gadfly