Rick this is a bit off the subject but I have stradled railroads before and
it definetly had an effect on the directionality of my received signal.
When we think of interstate driving being somewhat of help with our signals,
the rebar is the reason.
Seems to me that I would make connection to the rails and see what happens.
I have used chain link fence at one of the little league ball parks by tying
a couple of my radials to a long stretch and used 2 watts to work Africa,
Canada and Mexico with a goodly sprinkling of US stations all on the same
day within a three hour period.
I say go for it.
Sounds like a fun project. Maybe even educational.
73,
George
----- Original Message -----
From: <towertalk-request@contesting.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 9:51 AM
Subject: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 33, Issue 22
> Send TowerTalk mailing list submissions to
> towertalk@contesting.com
>
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> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> towertalk-request@contesting.com
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>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of TowerTalk digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. ground radials and railroad tracks (Richard W. Harris)
> 2. Re: Rohn 65 (K7LXC@aol.com)
> 3. Rotor Control Box Needed (W7RY)
> 4. Coax Cutter (John Wagner)
> 5. Re: ground radials and railroad tracks (Orcena Lyle)
> 6. Re: ground radials and railroad tracks (k0dan)
> 7. Re Railroad tracks (Rob Atkinson, K5UJ)
> 8. Re: ground radials and railroad tracks (Tom Rauch)
> 9. Re: Re Railroad tracks (Ian White G/GM3SEK)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 15:34:01 -0600
> From: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:
> <DBC55FC363C9274CB71DB7600AB0F0500123F535@klondike.exch.ad.byu.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi,
>
> I am in the process of putting down 48 radials (approx 40M length each).
> Some are going to be shorter on one side. To the west my property line
> is about 32-33M away where I have a chain link fence. On the other side
> of the fence is an old railroad spur. I actually own the property but
> the railroad has an easement. They have not use the tracks in about 2-3
> years so I actually think their easement may have expired. In any event,
> I am going to run the radials under the fence for the last 7-8 meters
> and have them either on or just under the ground. My question is - can
> I make use of the rail tracks in any way. If I hooked my ground radials
> up to the rail would this help or hurt? Any other ways I might make use
> of this rail? Curious only.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Richard - KJ7CU
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 22:08:33 EDT
> From: K7LXC@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Rohn 65
> To: towertalk@contesting.com, jsloop@austin.rr.com
> Message-ID: <85.2f49c3f9.304e5421@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> In a message dated 9/5/2005 5:44:27 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
>
>> Who are the current manufacturers of Rohn 65 towers.
> Does anyone have any 65 parts and/or installation drawings?
>
>> I already have some sections but need additional parts and drawings.
>
> The info is available online at
> http://www.rohnnet.com/ROHNNET/rohnnet2004/html2004/index.html. You can
> also request a free cd catalog on the website
> and then you'll always have it.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve K7LXC
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 19:43:51 -0700
> From: "W7RY" <w7ry@centurytel.net>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Rotor Control Box Needed
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <000601c5b28c$d0e8a400$b900a8c0@w7ry>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> I have found a rotor. Thanks for the queries about it.
>
> Now I need a control box for a Hy-Gain CDE type rotor. What do you
> have? Don't want the older Ham-M style.
>
> Thanks and 73
> Jim W7RY
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 08:45:17 -0400
> From: "John Wagner" <jwagner@dxengineering.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Coax Cutter
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:
> <4239A4FA4FF82E44AD6D215C41024B5C02EDB43A@exchange.summit.network>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Cablematic makes a cutter that works well. Replaceable blades, etc.
>
> http://www.dxengineering.com/Parts.asp?ID=902&PLID=112&SecID=54&DeptID
> =20&PartNo=DXE%2DUT8000%2DP
>
> 73 John
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 21:13:30 -0500
> From: "Orcena Lyle" <olyle@cpinternet.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
> To: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>,
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <008601c5b288$93c84840$b7d33d40@noname>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I've heard that rails are carrying 4 volts, at least if the system is
> being
> used.
>
> 73 de Orcy W?QT
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 4:34 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am in the process of putting down 48 radials (approx 40M length each).
>> Some are going to be shorter on one side. To the west my property line
>> is about 32-33M away where I have a chain link fence. On the other side
>> of the fence is an old railroad spur. I actually own the property but
>> the railroad has an easement. They have not use the tracks in about 2-3
>> years so I actually think their easement may have expired. In any event,
>> I am going to run the radials under the fence for the last 7-8 meters
>> and have them either on or just under the ground. My question is - can
>> I make use of the rail tracks in any way. If I hooked my ground radials
>> up to the rail would this help or hurt? Any other ways I might make use
>> of this rail? Curious only.
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>>
>> Richard - KJ7CU
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 23:53:18 -0500
> From: "k0dan" <k0dan@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
> To: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>,
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <035001c5b29e$f25c2870$6501a8c0@k0dan>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Interesting...I'd sure give it a try, but be aware that they may still
> indeed have easement rights and if they should roll up on those tracks,
> you
> could be liable for any "damage" (???) thight might occur from you putting
> RF on their property. On the other hand, if they do operate on those
> tracks
> keep in mind that there is horrible noise, pulse, and other crud that is
> on
> railroad tracks. Surge suppression and good grounding would be
> well-advised.
> Good luck & 73
> Dan
> k0dan
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 4:34 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am in the process of putting down 48 radials (approx 40M length each).
>> Some are going to be shorter on one side. To the west my property line
>> is about 32-33M away where I have a chain link fence. On the other side
>> of the fence is an old railroad spur. I actually own the property but
>> the railroad has an easement. They have not use the tracks in about 2-3
>> years so I actually think their easement may have expired. In any event,
>> I am going to run the radials under the fence for the last 7-8 meters
>> and have them either on or just under the ground. My question is - can
>> I make use of the rail tracks in any way. If I hooked my ground radials
>> up to the rail would this help or hurt? Any other ways I might make use
>> of this rail? Curious only.
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>>
>> Richard - KJ7CU
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 14:18:43 +0000
> From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj@hotmail.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Re Railroad tracks
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Message-ID: <BAY101-F272FE1E0EFAAFB0D6642768EA70@phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
>
> This question came up at some point in the past year on one of the
> broadcast
> reflectors i look at. There was some station down near the texas gulf
> coast
> as i recall, that had a directional array along side a rail line, unused i
> guess, and the consensus was to forget it. The tracks went along
> tangential to the radial fields, which i think is your situation also, and
> most of your ground return and efficiency is controled by the amount of
> wire
> you can get down on the ground as spokes all around your feedpoint within
> 1/4 to 1/2 wave from it.
>
> I don't know anything about real estate law, but I would think that if I
> were to tie the counterpoise to one of the tracks, I'd eventually wind up
> getting a letter from a railroad lawyer, or worse....
> Depending on how sophisticated the rail spur is, there might be signalling
> current on the rails or a connection between both of them might trigger a
> crossing gate.
>
> rob/k5uj
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
> http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 10:12:56 -0400
> From: "Tom Rauch" <w8ji@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
> To: "k0dan" <k0dan@comcast.net>, "Richard W. Harris"
> <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <003c01c5b2ed$155655a0$6401a8c0@akorn.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I wouldn't make a connection to the tracks or mess with them
> in any way. They don't belong to anyone BUT the RR, no
> matter what we might want to think.
>
> Rails are used to complete signal paths of "where the train
> is at", the rail continuity is also monitored for breaks.
> Aside from not belonging to person who would make the
> illegal electrical connection to the rails wouldn't it be a
> shame if they thought it messed up signaling, right or
> wrong, and there was a train wreck?
>
> It very clearly isn't the property of anyone owning land
> around the rails. I have a pipeline crossing my property on
> an easement, and it is exactly like Colonial Pipeline owns
> that land. They certainly own their property within that
> easement if the pipes are being used or NOT being used.
>
> There is absolutely no significant or probably even a
> noticeable electrical advantage at all to connecting to a
> pair of rails. There's a significant liability for messing
> with them.
>
> 73, Tom W8JI
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "k0dan" <k0dan@comcast.net>
> To: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>;
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
>
>
>> Interesting...I'd sure give it a try, but be aware that
> they may still
>> indeed have easement rights and if they should roll up on
> those tracks, you
>> could be liable for any "damage" (???) thight might occur
> from you putting
>> RF on their property. On the other hand, if they do
> operate on those tracks
>> keep in mind that there is horrible noise, pulse, and
> other crud that is on
>> railroad tracks. Surge suppression and good grounding
> would be well-advised.
>> Good luck & 73
>> Dan
>> k0dan
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Richard W. Harris" <Richard_Harris@byu.edu>
>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 4:34 PM
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] ground radials and railroad tracks
>>
>>
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I am in the process of putting down 48 radials (approx
> 40M length each).
>> > Some are going to be shorter on one side. To the west
> my property line
>> > is about 32-33M away where I have a chain link fence.
> On the other side
>> > of the fence is an old railroad spur. I actually own the
> property but
>> > the railroad has an easement. They have not use the
> tracks in about 2-3
>> > years so I actually think their easement may have
> expired. In any event,
>> > I am going to run the radials under the fence for the
> last 7-8 meters
>> > and have them either on or just under the ground. My
> question is - can
>> > I make use of the rail tracks in any way. If I hooked
> my ground radials
>> > up to the rail would this help or hurt? Any other ways
> I might make use
>> > of this rail? Curious only.
>> >
>> > Thanks and 73,
>> >
>> > Richard - KJ7CU
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> >
>> > See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting
> Towers", "Wireless
>> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free,
> 1-800-333-9041 with any
>> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > TowerTalk mailing list
>> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>> >
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting
> Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call
> Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for
> Sherman, W2FLA.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 15:50:28 +0100
> From: Ian White G/GM3SEK <gm3sek@ifwtech.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Re Railroad tracks
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Message-ID: <Ox7rx5S0yaHDFAdz@ifwtech.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii;format=flowed
>
> Rob Atkinson, K5UJ wrote:
>>There was some station down near the texas gulf coast as i recall, that
>>had a directional array along side a rail line, unused i guess, and the
>>consensus was to forget it. The tracks went along tangential to the
>>radial fields, which i think is your situation also,
>
> On the other hand, if you happen to be operating in the middle of a
> switch-yard, all those parallel rails make a great reflector for NVIS.
>
> And if you have to haul up a tower, you can flag down a passing
> locomotive. Lots of mass, lots of traction, and the best slow-speed
> control you could ever imagine.
>
> BTDT, at a railroad museum. A Pullman car makes a nice comfortable
> shack, too :-)
>
>
> --
> 73 from Ian G/GM3SEK
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 33, Issue 22
> *****************************************
>
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
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