Yes you have two problems. I can't imagine the Arizona summer killed
your antenna. It's hot, but it isn't the surface of Mercury. Borrow or
buy an MFJ 259/259B antenna analyzer and check the resonant frequency of
the antenna, and make the appropriate adjustments. Do this when the
antenna is located where it is normally used. If you have it stuck on
top of your radio, and I can think of a few reasons not to do that, then
check it there. If it is on top of the car, check it there. The readings
will be different every time you move it.

DmxDesigner wrote:

Hi all... Does anyone know how to find out if a coil is good/bad for a
Wilson 5000?

Reason I'm asking... I have a DX 99V Galaxy Mobile which I've not used for
several months. I then took a trip to the hot AZ desert and returned back
east. Didn't use the radio on the entire trip... Once I got back east.. I
decided to test out my radio and notices a weird non speaker sound when I
key the stock mic... Sounds like a relay that doesn't know open/closed... so
it vibrates.... Thus I immediately assumed that maybe the set had suffered
from the heat... I've since tested it on a dummy load and it does the same..
So I now rule out an antenna only problem.

But... I then put the magnetic mount antenna onto my Pres. Madison base to
check out the antenna and the AWI "antenna warning indicator" comes on
brightly... Now when I again remove the antenna and put the dummy load onto
the Madison... the AWI light acts normal and goes out.

Is there a ohm test or something I can do to be sure the antenna is "OK"?
I've hardlyh ever used the Wilson 5000. Like maybe 20 hrs. outside, but I've
kept it stored inside the trunk of the car which it too experienced 120
degree heat for several months while in AZ.

Thanks if you can give some advice.... I don't have a base antenna yet for a
third testing option... so I'm stuck unless someone can either test the set
/ antenna or both...

Thanks Dmx Bill

its supposed to read like that lol

I just found out last night that there is a dead
short in the coil on mine

MrTimNebo wrote:
its supposed to read like that lol


I just found out last night that there is a dead
short in the coil on mine



wonder if a milliohmmeter (sp?) would prove otherwise...

Wrong...

The Wilson antennas have a dead short to DC in the coil, and they're
SUPPOSED to.. AT RF, the impedance is close to 50 ohms. It's a hard
concept to wrap your head around, but a short at DC in a tapped coil
matching network is perfectly normal. You do NOT need to replace your
coil.

-SSB

David Tilley wrote:
Unscrew your coil from the base and check for continuity. Check the coax
base, then check the coil.I just found out last night that there is a dead
short in the coil on mine. If that's the case you need to replace the coil.
I went through 2 PL-289 ends thinking it was my soldering skills until I
checked it with a multimeter. Let us know what you come up with!