Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Welcome to the Charlie Tango DX Group. The home of ALL things Radio - CB, 11m DX, Amateur, PMR446, PLD, Network and Data. We welcome all radio enthusiasts of all knowledge levels. Join today and claim your own unique World Famous CT Call-sign
Join in with the fun of the Charlie Tango DX Group Summer 10m Challenge - from April 1st 2024
Call Sign : 108-CT-226 / MM0IMC Posts : 86 Times Thanked : 2 Join date : 2023-03-10 QTH or Location : Ayrshire Equipment Used : Amstrad 901 Sidebander
Subject: Some Silver Rod Repairs... Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:44 pm
Here's some items I've posted elsewhere regarding silver rod antennas, specifically the matching transformer (coil) and how I repaired it...
Did you ever wonder what was in the base of those cheap "silver rods", that have been on the UK CB market for at least 40 years?
No doubt, something like this... This is a recently manufactured one with awful quality soldering inside. I've had to resolder a few, in my time.
The 1mm enamelled copper wire going from the centre pin of the SO-239 socket, on to the matching transformer, always has a dry or cold solder joint on it. This was probably the cause of my recent RFI problems on 12m. I have changed the base for another one, where I had already resoldered the coil.
The VSWR has improved substantially.
Note to self.. Always check which position the antenna switch is on, dummy load or antenna! I guess my cheap silver rod antenna doesn't like 1.5kW (+/-). Edit : Thankfully, the amplifier still seems to be working okay!
I've removed the burnt out transformer coil, from the 'silver rod' CB antenna. You can see the charring on the outside of the former and bubbling on the inside. I've cleaned it up and most of the charring has been removed. I'm going to try to rewind the coil with some fresh 1mm enamelled copper wire. With the carbon charring removed, I'm hoping that it will be less likely to arc over again - that and being more careful about power levels and which position the antenna switch is on!
Last edited by MM0IMC on Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
Victor likes this post
Victor CT Directors
Call Sign : 26-CT-3228 / M7VIC Posts : 5803 Times Thanked : 352 Join date : 2019-11-10 QTH or Location : Bedford Equipment Used : Various
Subject: Re: Some Silver Rod Repairs... Mon Mar 20, 2023 6:23 am
I doubt you'd be the first to whack too many Watts into one, or the last either!
Thanks for posting Ian, a good graphical show & tell that everyone can appreciate.
(Did you eventually rewind it?)
rabbi and MM0IMC like this post
MM0IMC Contributor
Call Sign : 108-CT-226 / MM0IMC Posts : 86 Times Thanked : 2 Join date : 2023-03-10 QTH or Location : Ayrshire Equipment Used : Amstrad 901 Sidebander
Subject: Re: Some Silver Rod Repairs... Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:20 am
I did. It required six and a quarter turns of the 1mm enamelled copper wire, on to the former.
Today at 10:27 pm by 
Subject: Some Silver Rod Repairs... 
