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Erratic SWR on 17M

AB7R
AB7R Member ✭✭
in Power Genius XL Amplifier

Working some FT8 on 17M. TGXL tunes to 1.15. With PGXL in standby and running 35W on the 8600 The SWR is nice and steady at 1.2. But if I change the amp to operate the SWR starts jumping around like crazy…up to 3.0 on peaks.

This only happens on 17M. Antenna is a DX Commander Rapide. I have lots of chokes installed but still sounds like it could be RF from Common mode currents. What do you think?

Tnx
Greg
AB7R

Answers

  • Flexed
    Flexed Member ✭✭

    Greg,I have the DXCommander Signature 12.4. Does the PGXL provide alerts when this happens? I’m in a very similar situation with my 80m. I’ll be replacing the element soon.

  • Erik Carling EI4KF
    Erik Carling EI4KF Member ✭✭✭✭

    If I were you Greg, I would run the PGXL into a dummy load on 17m if only for peace of mind to rule out anything wrong with the amp. Given the all-clear in that scenario, and that your RF line is common to other bands that do not exhibit trouble, you are left with either CMC or some kind of construction issue with the Rapide on 17m which should be thoroughly checked.

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