That’s a lot to consider. A few points to consider..

An antenna analyzer is not cheap. They’re wonderful instruments and way, way better than an SWR meter, but you’re looking at several hundred dollars.

I’m not familiar with any automatic antenna tuners that work at HF/UHF frequency ranges. One antenna to cover 108 all the way up to 160 Mc isn’t optimum, but not unreasonable. However covering 450 Mc is really a different antenna.

In general where an antenna is can be much more important than what an antenna is. It sounds like you’re using a telescoping whip antenna inside the house. There are a lot of obstructions between your antenna and whoever you’re trying to listen to.

I’m not really coming up with any solutions for you here, sorry. Just some thoughts before I get my first cup of coffee.

Steve K0SR

Knob Creek! Good stuff.

Last night about 8:30 the sun got eclipsed by something and I didn’t see it again until about 7 this morning. Didn’t have to travel anywhere.

To me this is like people driving up north to look at leaves change color. I can stand in my backyard and see that.

SR

“with the flow so low in the rivers, can I ask why you looking for one ouncers?”

The last couple of trips down to Pool 4 I was a lot more successful if I had the jig just barely off bottom. That’s easier to do if you’re fishing more vertically, which means a heavier jig.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Steve

suzuki wrote:

I felt relieved that my snowblower didnt break.

I wish I could say that. The old monster Toro failed on me AGAIN. I made it about 10 feet and that was it. I think I’m going to drag it out into the back yard and beat it to death with a rock.

Well heck. Guess I better cut back on the number of Pool 2 Walleyes I eat

(Full disclaimer: This was a feeble attempt at humor. I know Pool 2 is catch-and-release)

I’ve had both Carp and Buffalo suck up a jig. I wish it would happen more often since they’re big and fight hard. Nice fish!

I lost a bucktail one morning on Bald Eagle. The snap broke on the leader. That bucktail just kept going, and going, and going right over the horizon. NASA called me later that week to help identify whatever it was that had just entered orbit.

SR

If you never had the opportunity to meet Jane, you missed out. A wonderful lady. So sorry to hear of your loss Jon.

SR

The last Rapala I bought was the infamous “DT” series. They all fell apart the first day. Hitting the water at the end of a cast was enough to destroy them. OK, maybe a bad batch. I contacted Rapala to see if they would make this good and the reply I got was that “you probably wrecked them by hitting them against the side of your boat to get the weeds off”.

So you make a laughably inferior product and then insult my intelligence with a nonsense reply like that. They lost my business, lots of people sell crank baits. I’ve gotten pretty good at tuning Flicker Shads.

SR

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like you have a ton of good memories.

494 access was jam packed this afternoon with some guys out parking on the road.

PM sent

That was really something to see. And the fish were biting today. Thanks for getting me out Mike.

I live in enough of an urban environment that firearms of any kind are out of the question. I use intimidation. I see a cat or rabbit in my yard, and I’m out the door chasing them down the street waving my arms and yelling like a maniac. It seems to be effective even if my neighbors do think I’m crazy.

That is, except for the little kitten last September. Out the door, yelling, acting threatening, etc. And the cat walked over to me, leaned against my leg and started purring. Well, heck. It’s pretty much impossible to act like a goon when the critter is being so sweet. Anyway we had a chat about things and I told him to go home, and I haven’t seen him since.

SR

I always know what day of the week it is. I just look at my weekly pill box and count the empty spaces

SR

Happy Birthday Sharon. You make your old man proud every single day.

I’m soooo happy I’m retired. I worked with a bunch of guys like that over the years. Don’t miss it at all.

SR

I think the decision should be based on biology, on what is best for the fishery. Anything else is short sighted.

SR

At least for now the door has been slammed shut. There’s one small patch of open water visible below the bridge, I could see water vapor forming above it. It sure was fun while it lasted.

Steve

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Offensive line men. Draft some linemen. I don’t care who they have for a quarterback, you can’t play if you’re laying on your back. And get somebody on defense that isn’t a 37th round draft pick that never makes the pro bowl. Can the Vikings GM do any of that? I have my doubts.

SR

Dutchboy wrote:

Ulterra or Ultrex? How many volt?

Terrova,, 24 volt/80 pound thrust, with universal sonar.

A guy can dream…..

“And put who in there? He’s the best of the three bad options available”

I’m still available. And I work cheap, all I want is a new trolling motor.

SR

“Larry”

It’s been the opposite for me lately, I’ve been finding numbers of fish but no monsters. There is a zillion tons of bait in the water as well as a large number of low 20’s inch long fish. The future looks pretty good.

Yesterday was tough for me. I found a couple of Saugers and one White Bass. I would imagine the sudden rise in water temperature and flow along with the sudden decrease in visibility has shaken things up. Once it settles down I think things will pick up again.

SR

What the heck was he going to do with a small Tarpon? They’re inedible, too small to mount. It’s called wanton waste. What a jerk.

SR

Got out yesterday and the motor ran like a champion. Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

Steve

Wow, that thing is an absolute monster!

The state record White Bass was 20 inches long. On Pool 2 there are 18 inch fish being caught fairly regularly. Makes me wonder.

SR

“some contact cleaner spray may help as well”

Good idea. I do have a can of the “good stuff”, DeoxIT D5.