I have a Diamond V2000 and would like to change all the capacitors. Can anyone recommend a reliable UK source who sell decent caps with a tight tolerance?
TIA,
Ellis

RS Components
Digikey

Are superb

Regards

Keith G0TSH

Hi keith,

Many thanks for the info. I normally buy from ebay but the quality has dropped massively over the years.

Namaste,
Ellis

Hi Ellis, Have you had a look at this site? :-

https://ea4eoz.blogspot.com/2012/09/mod ... 0-and.html

I've modified a V2000 this way.

A friend bought some caps from the bay for his Amp, they were supposed to be 20%. Anyway he installed them but still had problems. I got the amp removed them and replaced with caps from RS, amp now works perfectly, when i measured the removed caps the best was within 50% of stated value. I only ever use components from RS or other reputable suppliers. Most of the stuff i have seen chap on ebay is from China they may look the same but are garbage.

Not worth it in my view just use quality parts its cheaper and quicker in the long run

Regards

Keith G0TSH

Thanks for the info....looks interesting and need to look further into it. Do you know if anyone has EZNEC'ced this?

Ellis

Yep, similar issues here as well. I bought caps of the stated value (but no tolerance levels) and all 3 V200 cap values were over 100 pf. The values I was looking for were 1, 12, 13, 15 and 18pf at 500v. I contacted the buyer and he said the 'tolerance' limits were outside his responsibility. To be fair, it is the first time in my life I actually measured capacitance values and I wonder if other whitestick antennas using wrong value capacitance values may explain the sometimes hit and miss VSWR characteristics of these types of antennas?

Still, its all interesting regardless of the outcome!!

Ellis

Blown caps are quite common in whitestick type antennas. One remedy is to use pieces of RG174 co-ax, with insulated end. The pf/ft figures are usually given, so it is relatively easy to knock up co-ax capacitors. These are easier to physically fit inside the antenna.

Have a look here.

https://pa0fri.home.xs4all.nl/Ant/X510N ... cation.htm

Hi,

Thanks for the info. These coax 'capacitors' should be operationally more robust and hopefully, less prone to changes thru time and humidity etc!! I also operate QRP so no issues with popping anything.

I will definitely try this method in lieu of capacitors.

Ellis