Loss of Power

[Deleted User 30222]

I'll try to keep this short and simple. My Galaxy DX959 has only 1-2 watts of power no matter where the rf knob is set. I have checked all my cables. I even moved my antenna to use a different feed line, and same problem. Now when i connect to my salt water dummy load, i have a 4 watt dk and a swing to almost 12 watts. The only thing i can not test is my antenna. Which is a home made dipole. Starting to think i need to dump this home made thing and pick up a real dipole. Or should i adjust the radio with the antenna and not the dummy load?

[Gunner357]

Your dipole cant be the problem my2 cents unless you have something shorting out di you have a analyzer? I cant remember if ya did or not, If ya dont trust your Dummy load you can get a 100 watt at any cb or electronics shop I got mind for 27 bux.......now AM 4W; USB/LSB 12W PEP but wont do that hooked to antenna?? correct?? Ya Know I just remembered when my SWR was HI my RF power went down is your SWR meter accurate?

[Deleted User 30222]

I don't have a analyzer. And the meter on the radio has always been accurate, always same readings as my external meter. And i have no SWR

[Gunner357]

what do you mean no SWR

[MDYoungblood]

Since the dummy load is reading fine then there is really not a problem with the radio. The antenna is what is causing the bad reading, CMC, antenna not resonant, etc., it is the slight difference in resistance that you are seeing on the meter.

3’s

Greg

[Gunner357]

Since the dummy load is reading fine then there is really not a problem with the radio. The antenna is what is causing the bad reading, CMC, antenna not resonant, etc., it is the slight difference in resistance that you are seeing on the meter.

3’s

Greg

Correct do to the SWR from the antenna being out-A-wack correct Blood? At least in my case with the dipole round of BS I went threw the Hi SWR RF power dropped....

[Deleted User 30222]

Ok then, i guess i'll be buying a new antenna. I have this one on my list. Just not happy that it was about $40 and know it's closer to $60.
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[MDYoungblood]

Ok then, i guess i'll be buying a new antenna. I have this one on my list. Just not happy that it was about $40 and know it's closer to $60.
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Watch for a special or check out eBay, (we can recommend them now). I would look at the ones the the center is a balun, not just a fancy connector.

3's

Greg

[Deleted User 30222]

Yes [mention]MDYoungblood[/mention] i also have this one marked at Ebay [Please login or register to view this link]

[Bluerunner]

Check out any jumpers you may have. Jumpers are often the cause of a lot of headaches.

[Bluerunner]

Check the coax connector too on the feedline.

[Bobcat]

Yes, please check out your coax cables. My son had a 20' piece of RG58 made up at the local CB shop on I-10 near the truck stop...... never could get the SWR right....... he opened up both PL-259s and found whiskers of the center conductor sticking out against the shell. It happens.

[Deleted User 30222]

One end is factory sealed to where i can't open it. The other end i just replaced with a new one. I think i'm back to the same problem i seem to be running into. That a 1/2 wave dipole is a balanced antenna, but a coax line is unbalanced. There for i need a 1:1 current balun.

[Bluerunner]

Was the antenna working and then just quit?

[Deleted User 30222]

Was the antenna working and then just quit?

I'm not sure it was ever working right. I would go weeks with out even hearing the locals. It would seem to be fine one week, then give me trouble the next.

[arcone]

Are you using a 1:1 current balun with the dipole or at least a choke? It's likely the radio's meter is fond of a 50ohm load with and maybe a near purely resistive one at that, with no CMC.
A dipole is a dipole, I wouldn't bother spending more money on something that can be accomplished with wire, aluminium or whatever. Meter watching can be an expensive hobby.

[443 Arizona]

you can make a balun and add it to your existing rig, one good type is a 1/4 wavelength sheathed coax, from the antenna connection down, there are 4 balun types that i can easily think of, do a bit of reseaerch and see what you want.

[Deleted User 30222]

Probably gonna be buying the MFJ-918 very soon.

[nosaj]

Since no one mentioned it. retest the saltwater dummy load to make sure it's still 50 ohms.
also if your willing to spend 45 bucks why not use a steel whip?

nosaj

[Bluerunner]

If you are center feeding a dipole with coax and no balun or choke, then you almost certainly have CMC currents flowing on the surface of the coax.

CMC currents will make your meters lie and cause all kinds of headches.

A choke is easy. just wrap exactly 5 turns of the coax feedline (wraps snug & touching each other) around a short piece of 4" PVC. Try it just below the coax to antenna connection or 9' below the coax to antenna connection, or if you have enough feedline try a choke in both places. See if that helps. A coax choke uses up about 5' of coax length.

Is the dipole horizontal or vertical?
Is the feedline leaving the antenna at right angles?

[Deleted User 30222]

If you are center feeding a dipole with coax and no balun or choke, then you almost certainly have CMC currents flowing on the surface of the coax.

CMC currents will make your meters lie and cause all kinds of headches.

A choke is easy. just wrap exactly 5 turns of the coax feedline (wraps snug & touching each other) around a short piece of 4" PVC. Try it just below the coax to antenna connection or 9' below the coax to antenna connection, or if you have enough feedline try a choke in both places. See if that helps. A coax choke uses up about 5' of coax length.

Is the dipole horizontal or vertical?
Is the feedline leaving the antenna at right angles?

Put a choke on it last year per [mention]MDYoungblood[/mention] suggestion. Maybe i'll try that 2nd choke. And it's in a inverted V config.

[KOA4705]

I'll try to keep this short and simple. My Galaxy DX959 has only 1-2 watts of power no matter where the rf knob is set. I have checked all my cables. I even moved my antenna to use a different feed line, and same problem. Now when i connect to my salt water dummy load, i have a 4 watt dk and a swing to almost 12 watts. The only thing i can not test is my antenna. Which is a home made dipole. Starting to think i need to dump this home made thing and pick up a real dipole. Or should i adjust the radio with the antenna and not the dummy load?

Beachbum24 substitute the dipole with the dummy load and test power output again

[warlock35po]

Hello,did you try this? Unhook the coax from the antenna and from the xcvr.take a v.o.m. and touch one probe to the centre of one end of coax and the other probe to the shield of the other end of the coax.Make sure that you do not short accross between centre connections and shield at any time.If there is no problem with the connections you should see no resistance on your v.o.m. Regards,warlock35po

[Deleted User 30222]

Hello,did you try this? Unhook the coax from the antenna and from the xcvr.take a v.o.m. and touch one probe to the centre of one end of coax and the other probe to the shield of the other end of the coax.Make sure that you do not short accross between centre connections and shield at any time.If there is no problem with the connections you should see no resistance on your v.o.m. Regards,warlock35po

One of the first things i did. From everything i have read. A dipole is what is termed a balanced antenna. In an ideal world a balun should be used with coaxial feeder (which is unbalanced) to make the transition between balanced and unbalanced systems. The use of a balun will prevent the coax radiating any power or picking up any noise.

[Bobcat]

As I understand it, a common halfwave dipole exhibits a 75 ohm impedance. If you cable that straight to a 50 ohm transceiver one would expect the best SWR to be 1.5:1 which in not the "end of the earth"! If you use a 1:1 balun I think it would help to reduce common mode current in the coax but would not do anything for SWR.