We have found out that the HF antenna does in fact work. Signals just aren't passed from the antenna to the radio very well when a dog has chewed the feedline in two. A mug shot of the offender is seen at the right!This morning while doing some cleaning. a piece of chewed coax was found. It didn't take very long to assume that it could be the reason why the HF radios aren't working correctly. In short time, a gap in the HF antenna feedline was found behind a desk. Of course, the dog chewed through in a location that we would have to specifically be looking in order to find it - it is somewhat hidden.
It is safe to say that she has been thoroughly chastised and I have threatened to put 100 watts through her mouth should I catch her chewing the coax in the future...
After fixing thie feedline with a couple of PL-259s and a barrel connector, we put the FT-897D on the air and tried everything out. Using the North American QSO Party as a testbed, I worked 26 stations; 20 on 20-Meters, 20 on 40-Meters, and 6 on 80-meters. Everything is now working as it should.
Mac McCormick III, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
