This is a R/L sweep of the 23CM35, with the DE returned to the stock standard position.
![Image](http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab209/VK4CP/23cm35-return-loss_zps26940cdd.png)
No wonder it tunes up so well, down on the satellite band.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
I found that altering the length of D2 (the element most susceptible to "finger proximity") did not affect the frequency of best match.
Same with D1.
This verifies what the AV-1000 SWR meter was telling me.
Moving some nuts, (as per the M2 advice), along D4 did though.
Having a "better" reflector, some solid aluminium plate, made no difference.
As per the M2 advice, moving the DE close to Reflector lowers the frequency of best match. You reach a point where moving it closer to D1 does nothing, and this is no where near 1296MHz.
If you can imagine it, having two fingers touching the DE, where the DE tubes are welded to the aluminium box, has a huge difference. There is a nice dip in return loss @ 1290 MHz.
M2 actually have a replacement DE in the mail to me.
When it arrives, it will be interesting to see if there is any difference, and whether the original DE was simply "out of spec".