VHF engineer in Warsash area - Mast Antenna needs testing

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scottyb

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Does anyone know of a VHF engineer in the Warsash area?

Id like my mast antenna tested before going up the mast, I have a suspision that the strong winds recently have caused an issue up there.

I thought about testing myself using a SWR meter (marine VHF band) but the cost of the tester may out weigh the cost of an engineer to test. He will also know what he is doing!

Thanks
 
I bought my SWR for less than 30 quid off EBay. That has to be cheaper than an engineer, and you will have many friends wishing to borrow same.
 
Full Circle - Which SWR meter did you get?

Ive just mailed the local Ham radio club to see if anyone there can test for a club donation...
 
PM sent. Happy to bring one along and show you the use of the power/swr meter.

Can measure the actual power output from the rig, then both the forward and reflected power readings of the antenna system (thus giving the SWR).

Rgds Martin_J (call sign M0MMT)
 
Beware testing an antenna with VSRWR meter from the radio output is not always as successful or clear as you might hope. Coaxial cable especially the 6mm outside diameter stuff can have large losses at VHF. On a large yacht this can be 40% or more of power loss going to the antenna. This loss does not matter so much in practice. However a VSWR meter measures the ratio of power up to power back down. A fault in the cable or antenna will reflect all the power back to the transmitter. The losses then mean that the reflected power will lose 40% going up plus 40% coming back or give a result of apparently reasonable if not good antenna when it is really bad.
If you have good low loss cable or short cable run, this is not such a problem. The 12mm OD stuff tends to have much less loss. The best test is done with connection near the antenna.
So as said a cheaper option if OP thinks radio is not good performance is to replace the antenna and cable with new. It will give a longer life into the future and not be as expensive as having a techy fiddle around and you pay for his time. (as with so much electronics these days) good luck olewill
 
Thanks all for your replies

Martin J has kindly agreed to take a look

If it's up the mast then a new Aerial and cable is the way forward

Cheers
Scotty b
 
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