Grounding Antenna/Transmitter Switch

[Blue Ox2]

I mounted the Tram 1499 yesterday. Does it need to be grounded through the
MFJ -1700C Antenna/Transmitter Switch the same way I did the DR-Dipole?

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[Blue Ox2]

I figure it does. but wanted to hear it from someone else, too.

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[jessejamesdallas]

That antenna looks to be a plug & play type antenna where all you have to do is screw your coax on the end of it...Wouldn't hurt to have a ground wire running off your antenna pole to a ground stake.

On a side note...I'm not real sure how good a 3' base antenna is going to work on 11 meter... I would get it as high in the air as possible to get any kind of range out of it.

[Blue Ox2]

Thanks Jesse. There are some HOA restrictions and I think
I'll get it straightened out this coming week.

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[MDYoungblood]

I believe the MFJ-1700C grounds all unused positions so you should be good there. Looked up the antenna because I wasn't sure what it was, that model has made it's rounds, started out in the 80's as a Saturn ,

A little secret if you don't know yet, pop the top off the antenna tube and there is a screw adjustment for the SWR. I normally install a lightning/surge arrestor inline of the coax before it enters the house.


3's

Greg

[Blue Ox2]

I have the arrestor inline at base of the antenna on the coax. There is a short in the house when I key up. The outlet with the breaker reset in it trips when I key up. This is directly grounded to the rod in the ground. A local friend in radio says it is because I am not using a steel pole as part of the mast. I have a shower curtain rod with a broom handle inside mounted to the dish mount on the house with the Tram 1499 on top of that.

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[MDYoungblood]

That problem could be a bad "GFCI" receptacle. Try an extension cord and a different receptacle.
If you look at the instructions I posted, the coax has a length chart, one of the few antennas needing to use the coax as a counterpoise.

3's

Greg

[Blue Ox2]

I have the 50' coax but prolly 12 to 15 foot is in here in the shack. I could pull it all back out the window and just let it lay around on the roof if that is necessary. I'll check into the outlet being bad but I don't think it is and really wouldn't know if it was unless it wasn't working. The only thing causing the noise and breaker trip is the new antenna connection.

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[Blue Ox2]

I think the problem is solved. Not the antenna at all. The problem is an old hair dryer that was in the outlet. The outlet doesn't pop at all. LOL, unplugged the hair dryer, problem solved, antenna is GREAT just the way it is. NO additional climbing at this point.
Thanks for the assistance.

73 ya'll

Mike

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