VHF antenna

[demetrik2]

I installed a wire antenna at the top of my mast for my VHF radio. There is continuity between the wire antenna and the center wire of the coaxial cable, but also between the wire antenna and the outer (braided)wire of the coaxial. Does this sound right? Should the wire antenna be connected only to the center wire of the coaxial? Please advise.

[joub]

If your antenna is a typical quarter wave whip i.e about 20" high, there should not be continuity between the braid and the center wire when the cable is disconnected from the radio. If the antenna is supposed to provide some gain then it''s possible that phasing stubs etc. could provide a path to the braid. Disconnect the co-ax from the ant and see if the short still exists. if it does, the problem is obviously in the coax. If you assembled the co-ax cable double check the connectors for a possible short. i.e. disconnect one connector and check, if still shorted, check the other end the same way.
There is always the possibilty of water contamination shorting out one of the connectors.
Also make sure no screws or sharp edges have cut into the co-ax.

Jim

[obiec]

Some one a wile back was asking a very simalar question. The answer however was dramaticly diferent. The last person answering this question had a very good explanation and said that most will show a short. try looking back several pages.