Since, I finally got my repeater online and I am using my big stick antenna, I needed to come up with a better solution than using a mag-mount with a Phantom Stubby antenna sitting on the windowsill of my shop. So, I decided to install a mobile antenna configuration in the attic above my shop since I only need to hit a few repeaters from my base station. I used a Laird Base Coil Non-Ground Plane antenna with a Laird NMO Mount/Male N Adapter and a bracket affixed to wall near the top pitch of the roof and in front of the vent and ran about 25' of LMR400 cable to my radio on the bench that sits on top of the repeater.
You would think that would be good-to-go for just hitting a few nearby mountain top repeaters that I can do with a 4 watt portable with no problem. No, that wasn't good-to-go because the screen in front of the vent liked to reflect some RF back that I didn't like so I relocated the antenna further away from the screen. Well that did take care of the reflection of RF and I kinda like the VSWR, under two so that seem to be good-to-go. I ran a test with a radio repeater club member on the main repeater and everything sounded good and I was still liking the reflection and VSWRs so I decided to put everything back in its place. I started tacking down the coax, reinstalling a metal grid type shelf that was in my way when I was installing the antenna in its original location and than relocating the antenna, put away all the tools and decided to check the reflection and RF out.
Damn, I popped the GFI that I originally thought was the breaker. I was wondering how can I pop 20 amp breaker with hardly a load on that circuit. I didn't have that problem before so I went to the electrical panel and all the breakers were Ok. I went to the outlet and saw the little itty bitty red light on the GFI reset so I reset and keyed the radio and damn it, the GFI popped again. I ran an extension cord to another 20 amp dedicated circuit and I was still popping the same GFI outlet.
I decided to relocate the romex wire for the four-plex that I use for my radio stuff further away from the antenna. I had to lower the metal grid type shelf again in order to relocate the romex wire further away. I also relocated the LMR400 further away from the romex wire and tacked it down on the roof/ceiling cross-members. After relocating the romex and retacking the coax. I went downstairs to the radios and fired everything up and walla, the GFI didn't popped alright. So, I went back upstairs to put everything back in its place, take my tools back downstairs. Yes, I did key the base radio again and guess what, the GFI popped again. Are you kidding me. I went back upstairs and again relocated the coax LMR400 further away from the affected romex but, I didn't do anything with the metal grid type shelf, there was no reason to because the shelf wasn't in my way and I already replaced the three boxes what I had on the shelf which, were boxes full of Christmas decorations.
Went back downstairs and keyed the radio Pop goes-the GFI. I go back up stairs and took the boxes off the shelf and checked again, and Pop. Now, I'm trying to think what worked before and I know what is not working now. The only thing I can think off is lower the metal grid type shelf and try again. I'm thinking what in the hell does this shelf have to do with anything but, I did lower it. I went back downstairs and keyed the radios and nothing popped, are you kidding me? I went back upstairs and kinda popped up the shelf and went back downstairs and keyed the radio, Pop, goes-the-GFI.
Went back upstairs and lowered the shelf and rekeyed and nothing popped. Wow, are you kidding me, so I left the shelf down. I put everything away and I keyed the radio and nothing popped. Unbelieveable, its fixed, I hope.
You can post now and register later.
If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.
Question
nokones
Since, I finally got my repeater online and I am using my big stick antenna, I needed to come up with a better solution than using a mag-mount with a Phantom Stubby antenna sitting on the windowsill of my shop. So, I decided to install a mobile antenna configuration in the attic above my shop since I only need to hit a few repeaters from my base station. I used a Laird Base Coil Non-Ground Plane antenna with a Laird NMO Mount/Male N Adapter and a bracket affixed to wall near the top pitch of the roof and in front of the vent and ran about 25' of LMR400 cable to my radio on the bench that sits on top of the repeater.
You would think that would be good-to-go for just hitting a few nearby mountain top repeaters that I can do with a 4 watt portable with no problem. No, that wasn't good-to-go because the screen in front of the vent liked to reflect some RF back that I didn't like so I relocated the antenna further away from the screen. Well that did take care of the reflection of RF and I kinda like the VSWR, under two so that seem to be good-to-go. I ran a test with a radio repeater club member on the main repeater and everything sounded good and I was still liking the reflection and VSWRs so I decided to put everything back in its place. I started tacking down the coax, reinstalling a metal grid type shelf that was in my way when I was installing the antenna in its original location and than relocating the antenna, put away all the tools and decided to check the reflection and RF out.
Damn, I popped the GFI that I originally thought was the breaker. I was wondering how can I pop 20 amp breaker with hardly a load on that circuit. I didn't have that problem before so I went to the electrical panel and all the breakers were Ok. I went to the outlet and saw the little itty bitty red light on the GFI reset so I reset and keyed the radio and damn it, the GFI popped again. I ran an extension cord to another 20 amp dedicated circuit and I was still popping the same GFI outlet.
I decided to relocate the romex wire for the four-plex that I use for my radio stuff further away from the antenna. I had to lower the metal grid type shelf again in order to relocate the romex wire further away. I also relocated the LMR400 further away from the romex wire and tacked it down on the roof/ceiling cross-members. After relocating the romex and retacking the coax. I went downstairs to the radios and fired everything up and walla, the GFI didn't popped alright. So, I went back upstairs to put everything back in its place, take my tools back downstairs. Yes, I did key the base radio again and guess what, the GFI popped again. Are you kidding me. I went back upstairs and again relocated the coax LMR400 further away from the affected romex but, I didn't do anything with the metal grid type shelf, there was no reason to because the shelf wasn't in my way and I already replaced the three boxes what I had on the shelf which, were boxes full of Christmas decorations.
Went back downstairs and keyed the radio Pop goes-the GFI. I go back up stairs and took the boxes off the shelf and checked again, and Pop. Now, I'm trying to think what worked before and I know what is not working now. The only thing I can think off is lower the metal grid type shelf and try again. I'm thinking what in the hell does this shelf have to do with anything but, I did lower it. I went back downstairs and keyed the radios and nothing popped, are you kidding me? I went back upstairs and kinda popped up the shelf and went back downstairs and keyed the radio, Pop, goes-the-GFI.
Went back upstairs and lowered the shelf and rekeyed and nothing popped. Wow, are you kidding me, so I left the shelf down. I put everything away and I keyed the radio and nothing popped. Unbelieveable, its fixed, I hope.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
14 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.