Tower for an old guy. Thanks for all of the good info. Typical hams!
N0UU
On Monday, March 30, 2026 at 05:40:58 PM CDT,
towertalk-request@contesting.com <towertalk-request@contesting.com> wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Lawrence Stoskopf)
2. Re: RE; Looking for Remote Rotator Control Methods
(Mike Fatchett W0MU)
3. Re: New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Jim Brown)
4. Re: RE; Looking for Remote Rotator Control Methods
(Joe Subich, W4TV)
5. Re: New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Gene Smar)
6. Re: New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Joe Subich, W4TV)
7. Re: New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Tim Duffy)
8. New antenna? (Gary Smith)
9. Re: New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Loyd richey)
10. Re: New Yagi for an old guy. ? (Stan Stockton)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:55:56 +0000 (UTC)
From: Lawrence Stoskopf <lstoskopf@cox.net>
To: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID: <2103213190.1182854.1774904156296@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I'm a long time ham (1954) and like to play antennas.? I use the DX contests as
activity events, not contests.? I have a hill here SE of Salina, Kansas called
Iron Mound, with about a 400 ft drop to Eu and JA.? Lots of work with the
terrain programs show that the optimum height is about 45 ft for 20, 15, and
10.? In 2004 I bought tower sections for Height Tower Systems:? AJ26-225,
AJ22-225, AJ18-172, AJ14-172, and AC11-131 plus the stuff to run a 12 ft Al 2"
mast down to a rotor with the antenna at the tower top.
Soon after SteppIR came out, I bought a 4 element one and found a military
surplus 40 ft sectional crank-up at Hamvention.? Loved the system.? I could
crank it down, put a step ladder in the pickup, fix it and back up.? That hill
has 90 mph wind up the slope and I had to rebuild it about every year.
This year things were OK until just before March we had weeks of high winds and
things went to ...? At age 86 I didn't want to do that for the contest.? SWR
was bad on all bands:? 20m wouldn't go below 2.8.? 10m would work a bit if I
tuned it to 29.6, but didn't seem to work.? 15m gave one narrow tuning range to
1.08, but only if I pointed NE.? NW was horrible and the winds didn't quit.?
And tuned to the NE if I went above 320 watts, it seemed to arc.? Finally in
the contest with the ACom2000A at 250 watts if just stopped turning on.? So I
finished limited on 15M with the Yaesu at 48 watts.? Worked all of Eu, Galados,
JA, actually a comment from LY of nice signal!, lost of "your signal is broken
up".? Shouldn't have pushed it for the 150 QSOs!
So rebuild time. No more of that 48 watt stuff with a bad antenna!? ?I'm
thinking of using the Heights tower, putting a tri-band up there with only coax
going to it.? Getting a crane to stand the completed system and hoping it lasts
for 5 or 6 years.? I can assemble the tower up the side of the hill, put the
antenna on from the truck and pull it up, bolt it on the base and pray.? No
tuning, etc.
So question:? I don't want traps, etc.? Something like the SkyHawk 3X10.?
That's only 3 Elements rather than the SteppIRs, but when things are working I
don't have trouble breaking pileups.? I fact, multiple times I'll call a S5 or
S6 station:? KL7, South Africa, JA, etc. and get questioned where I am as the
band isn't open yet!? The reason for the switch is strictly wanting something
that goes up, works pretty well, and stays up.? My Bernese Mtn dog and I used
to take 4 breaks a day and walk up and down the perimeter and the ponds, no
more.
Antenna suggestion?? Sorry for the long note.
N0UU
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:05:49 -0600
From: Mike Fatchett W0MU <w0mu@w0mu.com>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] RE; Looking for Remote Rotator Control
Methods
Message-ID: <c3166b18-9f31-4975-9523-d0fb0f22d9a5@w0mu.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
You should be able to run PSTRotator from a pc in the barn with a USB
controlled controller ie GH,? if you have network out there and remote.?
The program might allow control from another pc too.? I have not used it
in a long time but it worked really well when I did.
W0MU
On 3/29/2026 12:45 PM, George Collins via TowerTalk wrote:
> I want to thank everyone that replied to my question about controlling
> rotators on distance towers. The response was overwhelming with many
> different approaches. I am going to try locating a controller in a barn,
> 100 feet from the tower where I have AC power, and running CAT-5 cable as
> control and position lines to the shack approximately 350 feet away. I am
> hoping that this will get me operational quickly and then I can work on a
> wireless solution, perhaps using a WiFi connection to the barn, as time
> allows.
>
> Please pardon my slow response. I really appreciate everyone taking the
> time to share their experience and recommendations.
>
> 73,
>
> George, KC1V
> FN31
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:17:26 -0700
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID:
<4acf6ac5-d3b4-4698-8c9e-5d4eb72ee9a0@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
On 3/30/2026 1:55 PM, Lawrence Stoskopf via TowerTalk wrote:
> Antenna suggestion?
The N6BT designs for his Force 12 brand were excellent, came in at the
top of the very disciplined testing of what was available in 1999. I'm
not at all up to date on current tribanders, but I recall his company
being bought out years ago, and that they were selling updated versions
(perhaps mfg differences?) of those designs. I'd be looking at G0KSC's
InnoVAntennas -- I have one of his 7-el 6M Yagis just below that
SteppIR; it's a great performer, and built like a brick outhouse. One if
its virtues is that it's vertical pattern is a bit tighter than the 7-el
M2 it replaced, so it's a few dB quieter.
I'm still very happy with the little straight 3-el SteppIR I bought in
2008 -- not a single issue I could blame on the antenna.
73, Jim K9YC
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:39:39 -0400
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
To: Mike Fatchett W0MU <w0mu@w0mu.com>, "[TowerTalk]"
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] RE; Looking for Remote Rotator Control
Methods
Message-ID: <a65ba128-5090-45f4-9713-5eccbc97463e@subich.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Another option, if you have a rotator controller that emulates the
Hy-Gain DCU control set is the N1DKO Rotator-controller-controller
(provides a network interface w/WiFi for a HY-Gain compatible
controller).
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2026-03-30 5:05 PM, Mike Fatchett W0MU wrote:
> You should be able to run PSTRotator from a pc in the barn with a USB
> controlled controller ie GH,? if you have network out there and remote.
> The program might allow control from another pc too.? I have not used it
> in a long time but it worked really well when I did.
>
> W0MU
>
>
> On 3/29/2026 12:45 PM, George Collins via TowerTalk wrote:
>> I want to thank everyone that replied to my question about controlling
>> rotators on distance towers.? The response was overwhelming with many
>> different approaches.? I am going to try locating a controller in a barn,
>> 100 feet from the tower where I have AC power, and running CAT-5 cable as
>> control and position lines to the shack approximately 350 feet away.
>> I am
>> hoping that this will get me operational quickly and then I can work on a
>> wireless solution, perhaps using a WiFi connection to the barn, as time
>> allows.
>>
>> Please pardon my slow response.? I really appreciate everyone taking the
>> time to share their experience and recommendations.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> George, KC1V
>> FN31
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:41:08 +0000 (UTC)
From: Gene Smar <ersmar@verizon.net>
To: Lawrence Stoskopf <lstoskopf@cox.net>, Tower Talk
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID: <1765549887.1756434.1774906868178@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I've had a Skyhawk (original open sleeve feed design by Bencher) on my tower
since 2001. I work everything I hear with it. I frequently get unsolicited
"nice signal" comments while running 100W.?
And it's 4 elements on 10M, 3 on 20 and 15. It was a lot of fun to assemble,
too. A few tips: use NoAlOx sparingly on aluminum joints; use one Scotch-Brite
pad to clean the inside and outside of joints and a second to apply the thin
NoAlOx; and insert the 2 or 3 pop rivets into each joint before you fasten any
of them with the tool.
I also use the Skyhawk as top loading to shunt feed my tower on 160M. I shorted
all the parasitic elements to the boom with aluminum straps that I fastened to
the boom with hose clamps and to the elements with a #10 SS screw through the
element and its insulating sleeve.
73 de?Gene Smar AD3F?
Sent from my Radio Shack TRS-80 model 100 laptop
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:11:13 -0400
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID: <31e4e8b3-c6b3-428c-8b64-dddc04810351@subich.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
A quick look at DXEngineering indicates the SKyhawk is not
available. An alternative is the JKAntennas <JKAntennas.com>
Mid-Tri.
The Mid-Tri is a similarly sized (24 foot boom) with three
active elements on 20 meters (6.4 dBi), 4 on 15 (9 dBi) and
5 on 10 (~9.6 dBi). There is also an option for 2 elements
on 40 meters.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2026-03-30 5:41 PM, Gene Smar via TowerTalk wrote:
> I've had a Skyhawk (original open sleeve feed design by Bencher) on my tower
> since 2001. I work everything I hear with it. I frequently get unsolicited
> "nice signal" comments while running 100W.
> And it's 4 elements on 10M, 3 on 20 and 15. It was a lot of fun to assemble,
> too. A few tips: use NoAlOx sparingly on aluminum joints; use one
> Scotch-Brite pad to clean the inside and outside of joints and a second to
> apply the thin NoAlOx; and insert the 2 or 3 pop rivets into each joint
> before you fasten any of them with the tool.
> I also use the Skyhawk as top loading to shunt feed my tower on 160M. I
> shorted all the parasitic elements to the boom with aluminum straps that I
> fastened to the boom with hose clamps and to the elements with a #10 SS screw
> through the element and its insulating sleeve.
> 73 de?Gene Smar AD3F
> Sent from my Radio Shack TRS-80 model 100 laptop
>
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:13:57 -0400
From: "Tim Duffy" <k3lr@k3lr.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID: <008901dcc092$8176ff90$8464feb0$@k3lr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
The DX Engineering Skyhawk is in stock.
There is currently one left in stock - check this link:
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-3x10
73
Tim K3LR @ DX Engineering
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe
Subich, W4TV via TowerTalk
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2026 6:11 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
A quick look at DXEngineering indicates the SKyhawk is not
available. An alternative is the JKAntennas <JKAntennas.com>
Mid-Tri.
The Mid-Tri is a similarly sized (24 foot boom) with three
active elements on 20 meters (6.4 dBi), 4 on 15 (9 dBi) and
5 on 10 (~9.6 dBi). There is also an option for 2 elements
on 40 meters.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2026-03-30 5:41 PM, Gene Smar via TowerTalk wrote:
> I've had a Skyhawk (original open sleeve feed design by Bencher) on my tower
> since 2001. I work everything I hear with it. I frequently get unsolicited
> "nice signal" comments while running 100W.
> And it's 4 elements on 10M, 3 on 20 and 15. It was a lot of fun to assemble,
> too. A few tips: use NoAlOx sparingly on aluminum joints; use one
> Scotch-Brite pad to clean the inside and outside of joints and a second to
> apply the thin NoAlOx; and insert the 2 or 3 pop rivets into each joint
> before you fasten any of them with the tool.
> I also use the Skyhawk as top loading to shunt feed my tower on 160M. I
> shorted all the parasitic elements to the boom with aluminum straps that I
> fastened to the boom with hose clamps and to the elements with a #10 SS screw
> through the element and its insulating sleeve.
> 73 de Gene Smar AD3F
> Sent from my Radio Shack TRS-80 model 100 laptop
>
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:16:08 -0700
From: Gary Smith <wa6fgi@steeltrails.net>
To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] New antenna?
Message-ID: <3C0BDD85-FEED-455B-9666-18DE534DFA49@steeltrails.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Suggest you get catalog from Mosley and consider one of their monobanders if
you don?t want traps.
They perform well either mono band or 5 band if you change your mind.
Their antennas have been my go to since my early days of 27 mhz operation many
many year?s ago.
Gary?wa6fgi
Sent from Gary?s iPad
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:31:08 -0500
From: Loyd richey <richeylh@charter.net>
To: Tim Duffy <k3lr@k3lr.com>
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID: <34E1617E-8EA2-4670-9DEE-481CCC5C7B28@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I used the Sky Hawk on one of my UST HDX 589 towers during Covid.
It performed well for what it was.
Nice antenna. Easy to tame with a rotor and hey worked a lot of DX from my
Mountain location.
Good luck. By the way assembly is simple to me , that is.
I Like DX Engineering stuff. I have some of the larger JK yagis but very heavy.
For the money SKy Hawk or smaller JK should work for you. My 45 cents worth of
opinion and experience Hihihi
There are a lot of fantastic hams that have experience with these type antennas
and many would help you with their experience or opinion. Just keep asking.
Hiii
73
De
Loyd
WB4BMQ
Sweet Home Alabama.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 30, 2026, at 5:14?PM, Tim Duffy <k3lr@k3lr.com> wrote:
>
> ?The DX Engineering Skyhawk is in stock.
>
> There is currently one left in stock - check this link:
>
> https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-3x10
>
> 73
> Tim K3LR @ DX Engineering
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe
> Subich, W4TV via TowerTalk
> Sent: Monday, March 30, 2026 6:11 PM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
>
>
> A quick look at DXEngineering indicates the SKyhawk is not
> available. An alternative is the JKAntennas <JKAntennas.com>
> Mid-Tri.
>
> The Mid-Tri is a similarly sized (24 foot boom) with three
> active elements on 20 meters (6.4 dBi), 4 on 15 (9 dBi) and
> 5 on 10 (~9.6 dBi). There is also an option for 2 elements
> on 40 meters.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>> On 2026-03-30 5:41 PM, Gene Smar via TowerTalk wrote:
>> I've had a Skyhawk (original open sleeve feed design by Bencher) on my tower
>> since 2001. I work everything I hear with it. I frequently get unsolicited
>> "nice signal" comments while running 100W.
>> And it's 4 elements on 10M, 3 on 20 and 15. It was a lot of fun to assemble,
>> too. A few tips: use NoAlOx sparingly on aluminum joints; use one
>> Scotch-Brite pad to clean the inside and outside of joints and a second to
>> apply the thin NoAlOx; and insert the 2 or 3 pop rivets into each joint
>> before you fasten any of them with the tool.
>> I also use the Skyhawk as top loading to shunt feed my tower on 160M. I
>> shorted all the parasitic elements to the boom with aluminum straps that I
>> fastened to the boom with hose clamps and to the elements with a #10 SS
>> screw through the element and its insulating sleeve.
>> 73 de Gene Smar AD3F
>> Sent from my Radio Shack TRS-80 model 100 laptop
>>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:40:12 -0500
From: Stan Stockton <wa5rtg@gmail.com>
To: Loyd richey <richeylh@charter.net>
Cc: Tim Duffy <k3lr@k3lr.com>, TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
Message-ID: <B7EAB5A7-6D52-45C7-8557-B42586D6812C@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I would buy or build the equivalent of a JK Mid-Tri. 3L20,4L15, 5L10 on 24
foot boom.
Stan, K5GO
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 30, 2026, at 5:35?PM, Loyd richey <richeylh@charter.net> wrote:
>
> ?I used the Sky Hawk on one of my UST HDX 589 towers during Covid.
> It performed well for what it was.
>
> Nice antenna. Easy to tame with a rotor and hey worked a lot of DX from my
> Mountain location.
>
> Good luck. By the way assembly is simple to me , that is.
> I Like DX Engineering stuff. I have some of the larger JK yagis but very
> heavy.
>
> For the money SKy Hawk or smaller JK should work for you. My 45 cents worth
> of opinion and experience Hihihi
> There are a lot of fantastic hams that have experience with these type
> antennas and many would help you with their experience or opinion. Just keep
> asking. Hiii
>
> 73
>
> De
> Loyd
> WB4BMQ
>
> Sweet Home Alabama.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Mar 30, 2026, at 5:14?PM, Tim Duffy <k3lr@k3lr.com> wrote:
>>
>> ?The DX Engineering Skyhawk is in stock.
>>
>> There is currently one left in stock - check this link:
>>
>> https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-3x10
>>
>> 73
>> Tim K3LR @ DX Engineering
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe
>> Subich, W4TV via TowerTalk
>> Sent: Monday, March 30, 2026 6:11 PM
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New Yagi for an old guy. ?
>>
>>
>> A quick look at DXEngineering indicates the SKyhawk is not
>> available. An alternative is the JKAntennas <JKAntennas.com>
>> Mid-Tri.
>>
>> The Mid-Tri is a similarly sized (24 foot boom) with three
>> active elements on 20 meters (6.4 dBi), 4 on 15 (9 dBi) and
>> 5 on 10 (~9.6 dBi). There is also an option for 2 elements
>> on 40 meters.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>>>> On 2026-03-30 5:41 PM, Gene Smar via TowerTalk wrote:
>>> I've had a Skyhawk (original open sleeve feed design by Bencher) on my
>>> tower since 2001. I work everything I hear with it. I frequently get
>>> unsolicited "nice signal" comments while running 100W.
>>> And it's 4 elements on 10M, 3 on 20 and 15. It was a lot of fun to
>>> assemble, too. A few tips: use NoAlOx sparingly on aluminum joints; use one
>>> Scotch-Brite pad to clean the inside and outside of joints and a second to
>>> apply the thin NoAlOx; and insert the 2 or 3 pop rivets into each joint
>>> before you fasten any of them with the tool.
>>> I also use the Skyhawk as top loading to shunt feed my tower on 160M. I
>>> shorted all the parasitic elements to the boom with aluminum straps that I
>>> fastened to the boom with hose clamps and to the elements with a #10 SS
>>> screw through the element and its insulating sleeve.
>>> 73 de Gene Smar AD3F
>>> Sent from my Radio Shack TRS-80 model 100 laptop
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
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------------------------------
End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 279, Issue 13
******************************************
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