I am very new at ham radio and find myself confused over an installation of a Carolina windom 80 special.

I attatched a 20m run of coax to the line isolator. When I switch on the rig I get nothing, even on strong BC stations. I assumed it was a coax prob and striped my plugs down etc. I then discovered that if the shielding was not touching the socket on the rig I got a very good signal. So I assumed there was a short in the coax. I checked the plugs and they seem fine but I note that even when I have just the co-ax plugged in (ie no windom) I get a good signal unless the shielding is connected. (I guess that would make sense though I thought the shielding stopped the centre core picking up a signal.

So where is my problem? Is it the antenna? Is it the ine isolator. (There is no indicator which way round it goes so I presume it is universal.) I have no tset equipment as yet so an easy solution would be valuable.


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On Sun, 27 May 2007 13:40:06 +0100, "Andre C" wrote:

I am very new at ham radio and find myself confused over an installation of a Carolina windom 80 special.

I attatched a 20m run of coax to the line isolator. When I switch on the rig I get nothing, even on strong BC stations. I assumed it was a coax prob and striped my plugs down etc. I then discovered that if the shielding was not touching the socket on the rig I got a very good signal. So I assumed there was a short in the coax. I checked the plugs and they seem fine but I note that even when I have just the co-ax plugged in (ie no windom) I get a good signal unless the shielding is connected. (I guess that would make sense though I thought the shielding stopped the centre core picking up a signal.

So where is my problem? Is it the antenna? Is it the ine isolator. (There is no indicator which way round it goes so I presume it is universal.) I have no tset equipment as yet so an easy solution would be valuable.


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An inexpensive volt-ohm meter, $10-20 American, would allow you to
test for shorts or continuity.

(Or maybe you could rig a flashlight to test for shorts.)

bob
k5qwg

On Sun, 27 May 2007 08:26:24 -0500, Bob Miller
wrote:

On Sun, 27 May 2007 13:40:06 +0100, "Andre C" wrote:

I am very new at ham radio and find myself confused over an installation of a Carolina windom 80 special.

I attatched a 20m run of coax to the line isolator. When I switch on the rig I get nothing, even on strong BC stations. I assumed it was a coax prob and striped my plugs down etc. I then discovered that if the shielding was not touching the socket on the rig I got a very good signal. So I assumed there was a short in the coax. I checked the plugs and they seem fine but I note that even when I have just the co-ax plugged in (ie no windom) I get a good signal unless the shielding is connected. (I guess that would make sense though I thought the shielding stopped the centre core picking up a signal.

So where is my problem? Is it the antenna? Is it the ine isolator. (There is no indicator which way round it goes so I presume it is universal.) I have no tset equipment as yet so an easy solution would be valuable.


--------------= Posted using GrabIt =----------------
------= Binary Usenet downloading made easy =---------
-= Get GrabIt for free from http://www.shemes.com/ =-

An inexpensive volt-ohm meter, $10-20 American, would allow you to
test for shorts or continuity.

(Or maybe you could rig a flashlight to test for shorts.)

bob
k5qwg

Most, if not all, Carolina windoms use a voltage balun and therfore
will show continuity between the coax's center conductor and shield.

Danny, K6MHE

On 27 May, 14:59, Danny Richardson wrote:
On Sun, 27 May 2007 08:26:24 -0500, Bob Miller
wrote:



On Sun, 27 May 2007 13:40:06 +0100, "Andre C" wrote:

I am very new at ham radio and find myself confused over an installation of a Carolina windom 80 special.

I attatched a 20m run of coax to the line isolator. When I switch on the rig I get nothing, even on strong BC stations. I assumed it was a coax prob and striped my plugs down etc. I then discovered that if the shielding was not touching the socket on the rig I got a very good signal. So I assumed there was a short in the coax. I checked the plugs and they seem fine but I note that even when I have just the co-ax plugged in (ie no windom) I get a good signal unless the shielding is connected. (I guess that would make sense though I thought the shielding stopped the centre core picking up a signal.

So where is my problem? Is it the antenna? Is it the ine isolator. (There is no indicator which way round it goes so I presume it is universal.) I have no tset equipment as yet so an easy solution would be valuable.

--------------= Posted using GrabIt =----------------
------= Binary Usenet downloading made easy =---------
-= Get GrabIt for free fromhttp://www.shemes.com/ =-

An inexpensive volt-ohm meter, $10-20 American, would allow you to
test for shorts or continuity.

(Or maybe you could rig a flashlight to test for shorts.)

bob
k5qwg

Most, if not all, Carolina windoms use a voltage balun and therfore
will show continuity between the coax's center conductor and shield.

Danny, K6MHE

I have done some tests and am happy with coax. So I am left with the
antenna.

I am sorry but the quoted comment means very little to me in my newbie
status.

Andre C wrote:
I am very new at ham radio and find myself confused over an installation of a Carolina windom 80 special.

I attatched a 20m run of coax to the line isolator. When I switch on the rig I get nothing, even on strong BC stations. I assumed it was a coax prob and striped my plugs down etc. I then discovered that if the shielding was not touching the socket on the rig I got a very good signal. So I assumed there was a short in the coax. I checked the plugs and they seem fine but I note that even when I have just the co-ax plugged in (ie no windom) I get a good signal unless the shielding is connected. (I guess that would make sense though I thought the shielding stopped the centre core picking up a signal.

So where is my problem? Is it the antenna? Is it the ine isolator. (There is no indicator which way round it goes so I presume it is universal.) I have no tset equipment as yet so an easy solution would be valuable.


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OK. Let's apply logic here ...

1) If you have used a VOM and there is continuity between the center
conductor of one end of the coax, with the center conductor of the
opposite end of the coax, the center conductor is ok.


2) If you have continuity between the outer conductor of one end of the
coax (shield) with the outer conductor of the opposite end of the coax
(shield), the outer shield of the coax is ok.

3) If there is NO continuity between the center conductor of the coax
and the outer conductor of the coax, the coax has checked out completely.

Without knowing the construction details of the "line isolator"
(probably a ~6:1 balun or rf transformer of some sort) it is impossible
to know whether a short in this unit is normal (ok) or not. However, if
the center conductor of the coax connector on the "line isolator" shows
continuity with at least one leg of the windom, it shows there is
continuity through the "line isolator" from the coax center conductor to
the antenna proper. And, if there is continuity to at least one leg of
the windom to the outer conductor of the coax connector on the coax
connector on the "line isolator", it demonstrates there is continuity
from the outer conductor of the coax to the antenna proper.

At this point, I would assume the "line isolator" to be defective in
some unknown way (most likely improper hookup at the factory, solder
short, open winding, etc.)

I am afraid that is the best I can come up with.

I am taking it for granted the antenna is the "Carolina Windom 80
Special" made by Radio Works and is 66 feet long (well, short
actually!) 80 - 10 meters and can be found on this page:
http://radioworks.com/ccwcover.html

Warmest regards,
JS

On Sun, 27 May 2007 22:40:57 -0700, John Smith I
wrote:


OK. Let's apply logic here ...

1) If you have used a VOM and there is continuity between the center
conductor of one end of the coax, with the center conductor of the
opposite end of the coax, the center conductor is ok.


2) If you have continuity between the outer conductor of one end of the
coax (shield) with the outer conductor of the opposite end of the coax
(shield), the outer shield of the coax is ok.

snip
Warmest regards,
JS


In view of your logic, let me tell you about my situation recently
when I tested a piece of coax on which I installed on connector.

There were already two connectors on the coax and I removed one that
was crimped and had slipped. I put on my connector and tested it with
my radio, no signal. Hmm, I needed to check the wire.

1) I tested the center conductor and the shield on the connector I
just installed... Short. OOPS!

I cut off the connector and replaced it.

2) Tested the center conductor and shield on the connector I just
installed... Short. OOPS again.

3) after cutting off my connector again, I tested the other connector.
between the coax and shield. Open. Great!

I soldered on the connector for the third time.
4) tested the center lead and shield of my connector... SHORT! Hmmmm

5) I cut off my connector and tested again. Open ?????

I tested the other connector again. Open.

ahhhh. I tested the center conductor from end to end.... OPEN!!!

I tested the center conductor to the shield on the end where I was
installing my connector.... SHORT!!!!


Time for a new piece of coax....

73 for now
Buck
N4PGW

--
73 for now
Buck, N4PGW

www.lumpuckeroo.com

"Small - broadband - efficient: pick any two."

Buck wrote:

You were either working with one EXPENSIVE piece of coax (and attempting
to save the pocket book)--else you demonstrate your super human
perseverance!

JS

On Mon, 28 May 2007 07:55:53 -0700, John Smith I
wrote:

Buck wrote:

You were either working with one EXPENSIVE piece of coax (and attempting
to save the pocket book)--else you demonstrate your super human
perseverance!

JS


actually, I was thinking I was just that sloppy.... lol

--
73 for now
Buck, N4PGW

www.lumpuckeroo.com

"Small - broadband - efficient: pick any two."

Buck wrote:

...

Buck:

I have fought things like you describe only to fail and go to bed angry
.... then get up in the morning and see the problem immediately! :-)

Regards,
JS

On May 28, 8:24 am, Buck wrote:


In view of your logic, let me tell you about my situation recently
when I tested a piece of coax on which I installed on connector.

There were already two connectors on the coax and I removed one that
was crimped and had slipped. I put on my connector and tested it with
my radio, no signal. Hmm, I needed to check the wire.

1) I tested the center conductor and the shield on the connector I
just installed... Short. OOPS!

I cut off the connector and replaced it.

2) Tested the center conductor and shield on the connector I just
installed... Short. OOPS again.

3) after cutting off my connector again, I tested the other connector.
between the coax and shield. Open. Great!

I soldered on the connector for the third time.
4) tested the center lead and shield of my connector... SHORT! Hmmmm

5) I cut off my connector and tested again. Open ?????

I tested the other connector again. Open.

ahhhh. I tested the center conductor from end to end.... OPEN!!!

I tested the center conductor to the shield on the end where I was
installing my connector.... SHORT!!!!

Time for a new piece of coax....

Sounds like too much heat.. You may be melting the clear jacket
and shorting the pin to shield. Be careful using too much heat when
soldering the shield. Sounds like you have a manly soldering gun..
MK