I talked to a Celwave technician, Bill, about our PD340-3 two meter VHF antenna.

After explaining the noise problem and how we listened while Glen Ogle was on the tower, he had the following suggestions. One is to check the input connector. Shake the jumper cable and check the N connector. The other is to check the harness jumpers to the elements. Make sure all connections are tight and that there are no cuts or chafing of the coax coming out of the mast. There are a shield and center conductor connection on each of the four dipole elements.

The harness is sealed [unrepairable] and inside the mast. Replacement harnesses have to be tie-wrapped to the outside of the mast.

The bad news: Celwave discontinued making the 140-150 mHz harnesses. Celwave also discontinued making 8-element antennas [our band would have been the 1500-8 model] except for the 161-169 mHz Coast Guard band. This is due to a lack of sales and that not many people wanted to put up 43' antennas. Bummer.

Bill asked if the noise problem was there from the start after hearing that we just put this antenna up a year ago. I told him yes. He then suggested checking the two items above and getting back to him if they are OK. It seems like Celwave might be willing to do some type of warranty solution to our problem. We ought to pursue this.

Bill mentioned that this exposed dipole design has been used successfully since the mid 1970s, with minor changes in materials. The noise problem is not something they have problems with. His question about the harness's jacket being worn away by vibration [causing the outer braid to rub on the mast] was dismissed when he realized the antenna was only one year old and that the noise was there from the beginning."

Mark Hoenecke WB9YZR