Looking at the instruction sheet on the Cushcraft website (since I
wasn't familiar with this antenna), there is indeed no direct
connection
from the coax center conductor to the driven elements. This is a
gamma
matching network. The center coax conductor is connected to the inner
tube of the "reddi-match" piece. It has a plastic insulator around it
and slips inside the outer tube. This forms a capacitor. The RF
"jumps
the gap" from inner to outer conductor and then travels to the driven
element via the small shorting strap connected between the reddi-match
outer conductor and the driven element.
The places I would start looking for trouble is to measure the
distances
on the reddi-matches to match the instruction manual. Have you
checked
SWR with a meter? You also might check for continuity (and lack of
short circuits) between inner and outer conductors of the coax
"combiner" that attaches to each of the reddi-matches and allows a
single feedline up to the antenna.
You were careful not to get any of that silicone grease (insulator!)
into the center pin of the coax connector that is attached to each
reddi-match assembly, right?
In WWII the allies were able to pinpoint the locations of German HF
transmissions very accurately. They were able to pinpoint the
locations of U-boats, etc. when they transmitted. (or so I have been
led to believe).
Is it something duplicatable
with Radio Amateurs in general or does it require some special type
equipment
