Hi Jeff, Its not an issue. There is even less chance of this happening if you use pvc coated wire as I do (rather than bare wire). ALL of my wire antennas (for the past 23 years at this qth) are touc
Jeff and Jim, I do understand that the ends of the antenna and radials are high voltage points, and as such the potential exists for arcing and fire, but I have not had that experience in 23 years at
What can I say Jim you and your trees are just a pack of trouble! :-) I wonder if the type of tree makes a difference or not. Here in CT we have Oaks, a few Pines and lots of hardwoods Burr Oak, Cher
Hi Rudy, At my qth in Connecticut, I have and continue to use WIRE 4-squares with ELEVATED radials on BOTH 40 and 80 at my qth since 1995. In that time I have won the US in the SOABHP UNassisted cate
I LOVE the organization of that problem and your solution with a clear and detailed step-by-step explanation. Reminds me of the very best way to learn and understand a complex concept by thinking abo
Im sorry to learn that Tonno lost his tower and incredible 8 x 5 L array. Its terrible that it happened when it was so easily preventable! For each of my tower guys, I always cut them so that each gu
Hi Tonno, I am so glad to learn that your 15M array is alive and well (AWESOME you-tube video!) but sorry to learn that you did lose another tower. For guy wires at my qth I only use the preformed PL
234/f is the formula used for calculating the length of a 1/4 wavelength wire or vertical element 246/f is the formula used for calculating the spacing between elements in an array 246/f x Vf is the
Hi Dave, I hope that you didnt have any damage from Irma. If you had flooding and your tower sections were immersed then that film could be anything. If all the towers got was rain then it is probabl
There is another potential factor that I have not seen anyone mention specifically, that of resonance. The interplay of wind speed (constant or intermittent) and direction, wind vortices around the t
Don you mentioned W7GG is that the same W7GG (Bob) who later became AI7B? 73 Bob KQ2M Amateur radio is more than a hobby, but that is certainly one part of the definition. I think we, including mysel
Yes, A LOT of experience at my qth! My 130 Rohn 45G tower rests on a pier pin on a Rohn 45 flat base on a very wide and long concrete base ranging from only 9 18 deep MAXIMUM! To spread out the stres
Answers interspersed below in Blue... Whoa... a lot of information there, and many questions. Please keep in mind I am on the lower end of the learning curve, so some of what I say or ask may be tota
Rock can fracture or erode. Then what do you do? Or you can get Frost heaves as we do in New England. Then what? Bob KQ2M If you actually have solid rock, why have a base for the pier pin at all? See
So much for Blue.... :-) Trying again with ## in front of my responses.... Whoa... a lot of information there, and many questions. Please keep in mind I am on the lower end of the learning curve, so
Wards and others comments on this remind me of an experience that I had at my qth a few years ago. After what I thought was a direct hit on one of my towers, we lost cable (no surprise there). Turns
Gentlemen, I am in the process of rethinking my entire ground system and would appreciate your thoughts and comments. I have two 4-squares and a 160 meter Inv L which are located anywhere from 100 20
I have one element of my 80 M 4-square stuck in a tree and I cant get it down even with trying a variety of methods. I believe that the element is not actually stuck but rather the 3/16 rope that it
Hi Jim, Until last week I had not heard about my good friend Wards book I certainly intend to buy it. I have read many materials over the years and been involved in the building and ground of many st
Not an option for me Keith the only access to the tree is through the septic field so I cant use a bucket truck or other vehicle. Bob, KQ2M Rent a bucket truck, one like the tree trimming people use?