A masthead antenna with a base loading coil...

Question 1 / 27070dcBtzSlwWz2u6ncbxLa0

Question 1 of 27070dcBtzSlwWz2u6ncbxLa0

A masthead antenna with a base loading coil appears shorted to an ohmmeter check. What might this indicate?

Question 1 of 27070

A masthead antenna with a base loading coil appears shorted to an ohmmeter check. What might this indicate?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Base-loaded / shunt-fed antennas and how they look to a DC ohmmeter • Difference between DC continuity (ohms test) and RF performance at operating frequency • Normal readings you might expect when checking a VHF antenna/coax with an ohmmeter

💭 Think About

• When you put an ohmmeter across the antenna feed, what are you really measuring at DC in a base-loaded or shunt-fed design? • Could a low or near-zero resistance path in the loading coil be part of the normal feed arrangement, or must it always mean a fault? • Which answer choices assume that a "short" reading automatically means a problem, and which recognize that some antenna systems are designed that way?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check how a loading coil or shunt feed is connected between the feed point and the mast/ground. • Verify whether VHF marine antennas with base loading coils can show DC continuity (near zero ohms) yet still be properly tuned at RF. • Make sure you distinguish between a shorted PL-259 connector or coax and a design that simply looks like a DC short due to the coil or shunt path.

Question 1 of 27070

A masthead antenna with a base loading coil appears shorted to an ohmmeter check. What might this indicate?

Positive proof of shorted coaxial cable plugs.

May be normal for a well working shunt fed antenna system .

Immediately repair both upper and lower PL-259s.

No VHF antenna should measure a short circuit.

Question 1 / 27070dcBtzSlwWz2u6ncbxLa0

Question 1 of 27070dcBtzSlwWz2u6ncbxLa0

A masthead antenna with a base loading coil appears shorted to an ohmmeter check. What might this indicate?

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Question 1 of 27070

A masthead antenna with a base loading coil appears shorted to an ohmmeter check. What might this indicate?