OK, I have this problem...

[tcp2525]

On 4/24/2025 at 10:43 PM, LeoG said:

Interesting that it was demonstrably affected by temperature.  At very specific temps.  At 26ºF the problem would go away.  As the temp approached and exceeded 32ºF the problem would return.

Certainly sounds like a water problem to me.

Cables were professionally made, doesn't make them infallible of course.

All connections were tight and secure.

All connections were triple sealed.  2 wraps of self fusing tape and electrical tape on top.

It's not like this is my first foray into electronics, electrical or radio.

Until I do some RF testing on both the coax and antenna I can't say what exactly happened.  All I know is it was broke.  I replaced the two components it could possibly be, and now it ain't broke lol.

If your coax is good I would cut both connectors off and install quality new ones, preferably N connectors.

Professionally installed connectors are the worst for quality and reliability. Only premade cables I would use that had "Professionally installed" connectors would be Heliax or RFS hardline.

[WRUE951]

On 4/24/2025 at 7:56 PM, LeoG said:

Ya ya.  Just what I need.  More toys

Actually,  the most used 'tool' i use.. Wished it worked on allegories.  Hot Damn-it  

[SteveShannon]

54 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

Actually,  the most used 'tool' i use.. Wished it worked on allegories.  Hot Damn-it  

I like my NanoVNA also.  It can do a lot, including measuring insertion loss and SWR. But I bought two different RigExpert analyzers and I haven’t used the NanoVNA since. However, the difference in price was a few hundred dollars.

[LeoG]

1 hour ago, tcp2525 said:

If your coax is good I would cut both connectors off and install quality new ones, preferably N connectors.

Professionally installed connectors are the worst for quality and reliability. Only premade cables I would use that had "Professionally installed" connectors would be Heliax or RFS hardline.

I had the coax assemble made by buytwowayradio and they looked like quality connectors.  I got my Heliax coax assemble from theantennafarm.  The only difference in the installation is I asked for shrinkwrap on the Heliax.  Not sure if it was an option on the 239.  Much better of a quality connector than in my younger CB days.

[WRUE951]

40 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

I like my NanoVNA also.  It can do a lot, including measuring insertion loss and SWR. But I bought two different RigExpert analyzers and I haven’t used the NanoVNA since. However, the difference in price was a few hundred dollars.

I picked up one of those mini Spectrum Analyzers.   Interesting device, seems to work o.k.  

[WRYZ926]

46 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

I like my NanoVNA also.  It can do a lot, including measuring insertion loss and SWR. But I bought two different RigExpert analyzers and I haven’t used the NanoVNA since. However, the difference in price was a few hundred dollars.

Same here. I find I grab my RigExpert Stick Pro most of the time. A good antenna analyzer is definitely more expensive. I do find that the Stick Pro does most of what I need and I hardly use my NanoVNA anymore.

There is a bit of learning curve with the NanVNA's but there are plenty of YouTube videos about how to use them.