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ATU OK, but SWR very high when transmitting ?

Teijo OH1TSM
Teijo OH1TSM Member ✭✭
edited June 2020 in SmartSDR for Windows
Sorry this poor beginner question... 
I am very experienced DX-listener. But this is my first transceiver and first transmitting antenna...    :/

Problem:
When I use ATU, it says SWR is OK / Bypass. But when I transmit CQ from WSJT, the SWR is over 3 (max) and Flex cut the transmission power very low.

I am using:
Flex 6400 (+ATU) with Alinco DM-330MW power supply.
Antenna is HyEndFed 8 band antenna (from Holland), 40 meter long at 17 meter height with Ecoflex 10 coaxial cable.
HyEnd Line isolator in the coax, near receiver.
Two grounding rods and one point grounding for: Flex, power supply and coaxial cable cover.
SmartSDR v3.1.8 and WSJT-X.

CAT operates OK.
DAX operates OK.
WSJT Test CAT is OK.
WSJT Test PTT is OK.

Here is picture:


image

Comments

  • Bill W2PKY
    Bill W2PKY Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    The ATU software in 3.1.8 can stop trying before acquiring a low SWR. When you click the ATU button watch the SWR indication. If it stops but the SWR is high keep clicking the ATU until a low SWR is achieved. Hope this helps.
  • Brian Hemmis
    Brian Hemmis Member ✭✭
    edited April 2020
    This has been a known issue for some time. Apparently downgrading to a previous software version will fix it. Sure wish Flex would fix it. I’m in FL operating remotely back to OH and run into the same problem every time I try to use the rig. It can’t be fixed remotely so I’m stuck till I get back up there.
  • Bill W2PKY
    Bill W2PKY Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Hello Brian-
    Try re-clicking the ATU continuously until a low SWR is achieved
  • Teijo OH1TSM
    Teijo OH1TSM Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    This is not the reason, I think. This antenna should work even without tuner. https://www.hyendcompany.nl/antenna/m...
  • Brian Hemmis
    Brian Hemmis Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Eventually- sometimes it can take 20 or more attempts it will tune. Sometimes it tunes after a few tries. Sometimes it just won’t tune at all. Frustrating.
  • bobby
    bobby Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    It works first time everytime on version 2.4.9 which is the latest version it worked on before it was updated so now the tuners about useless and its been about a year and still not fixed kinda like profiles also.
  • Alan
    Alan Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2020
  • Brian Hemmis
    Brian Hemmis Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Flex giveth and Flex taketh away.
  • WX7Y
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited April 2020
  • Patrick
    Patrick Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
  • Teijo OH1TSM
    Teijo OH1TSM Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Problem solved. My antenna connection number 1 have failure. I put antenna to the number 2 and it works now.

    Thanks for your support ! 73s Teijo OH1TSM
  • Teijo OH1TSM
    Teijo OH1TSM Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Steve Ellington’s theories are familiar to me. - Respect !
  • Luis del MOlino
    Luis del MOlino Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
  • Steven WA8Y
    Steven WA8Y Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Why can't you select ver. 2.6.1 on startup?
  • FISHULA X
    FISHULA X Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Yes Flex, It works the first time everytime on version 2.49. Can you please FIX it in out next update ? coming after 3.18?? most of us have been having issues with the ATU on SSDR 3.18. What good is a remote when your ATU has to be pushed 20 times to achieve a reasonable SWR???.. Please Add this fix to our next update. Anyone else wanna weigh in on this? After all, we paid extra for the ATU option correct? We pay for updates correct? So Flex needs to get on this soon and make this hardware work correctly with a software fix. We all love our Flexes but, why have an ATU if you gotta keep pushing it more then 3 times. And I have tried it on a dummy load. It works when it wants too.  I do love  my Flex. Please fix this issue. Thanks for reading. And this I post with respect. I got an email from Flex and  some Flex guys have time off because of the Corona virus. This would be a great time to try and fix it. Just try for us please. Thank you Flex.
  • Steven WA8Y
    Steven WA8Y Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    How much power are you sending in Tune? Anyway, try WSJT-X at that power level. If it works, then you have a bad connection, like a lose PL-259 or wing -nut at the balun.
  • Brian Hemmis
    Brian Hemmis Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    It's not a good word of mouth advertisement for Flex when a group of hams I talk with regularly know of the issues I have trying to get on the air all due the AT / software issue. The most disturbing thing is it wasn't fixed in an update as soon as it was seen to be a problem. 

  • Paul - K6HR
    Paul - K6HR Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
  • KC2QMA_John
    KC2QMA_John Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Overall version V2.49 seems to be the most stable.
  • Teijo OH1TSM
    Teijo OH1TSM Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Yes, I will.

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