Antenna mavens: In addition to a large 10-el F12 tribander, I'm running a 121' dipole/balun with it's apex at 65' on a 6' insulated standoff, with both ends at about 50'. Sort of a gently inverted V.
Oops. I was thinking of 40M, but said 80. Nothing new, I've been groping in the dark since 1941. I do have EZNEC 3.0, but haven't yet sorted out what the effects of the tower proximity and the 33' bo
Looks like a heck of a radio, Jim, but I wonder why it's only 100W vice 200W like the other big guys? And even at 100W key down (for instance, RTTY) service, it requires an "accessory fan". If I fork
It also helps to pay attention to the size crane you order up. I thought a 100' boom truck was fine for my 80' R45 + 15' of mast, but because of the headache ball and attached rigging, we lost about
For good dollar value, the Red Wing steel shanked 8" boots are hard to beat. If money is no object, lineman's boots are available for in the $300 range. 73, Jerry W5KP What
My High Sierra screwdriver is going on vacation with me in July, including a 6' foldup aluminum tripod ground mount and four roll-out radials. My K1-4 and the antenna drive motor will both be powered
I have one of these, and although it works great for hoisting one end of something light or the center of a portable dipole/inverted V, I'd think they might be a bit willowy for four of them to suppo
Burqhart provides galvanized end sleeves and little push-on caps with their Phillystran grip orders - or at least they did with mine. I don't know if they just threw them in or if PLP supplies them t
Radio Works in Portsmouth, VA (the Carolina Windom people) sells 200' hanks of 3/16" dacron in olive drab color that will last a LONG time in the sun and is relatively inexpensive. I've used a lot of
Sounds like a great setup, but I believe not enough rotator. If you do use a Ham IV, buy several and be sure they are easy to change out, because IMHO you will be doing it often. 73, Jerry W5KP
A good point - my 80' R45 has a 23' 4130N mast with 15' sticking out up there, but the C3XLD is only 2' above the top plate of the tower. Other than a very hefty copper/bronze air terminal at the top
Certainly good advice, but on the plugging of the ends, I'd recommend a wad of fiberglass window screen material instead. That allows the conduit to breathe, because no matter what, it WILL have wate
Yep, conduit drains are good if there are "low points". Best is either a tower slightly uphill or downhill from the shack to allow end-to-end drainage (I'm lucky, mine is uphill), or if it's level gr
Shoot some DeOxit on a small rag or cotton ball, run the coil end-to-end several times with the rag firmly applied. I have to do this periodically on my two HFT-1500 tuners to keep the roller inducto
I suspect aircraft bolts with safety wire holes are readily available from many of the kit-built airplane outfits. I've considered this route myself, but would rather buy the bolts than drill them (u
Lots of good harnesses out there, K7LXC has recommended a couple of particular styles in the past. They will all keep you up there, the important thing is FIT and convenience of use. Do a Google sear
Dang good list, Dan. Minor comments: available I'd pass on any used fall arrest lanyards of any kind, from anywhere. They are not that expensive, and you simply can't tell for absolute sure what kind
It says two things: a beam's life in rough seas would be approximately five minutes, and omnidirectional performance is critical. Because it would be mounted on a rapidly rotating platform (the ship)
I keep hearing this "ground level" phrase tossed around, and I'd like to hear from crankup owners exactly what brand and model towers they are able to work on at "ground level" *with antennas install