[RTTY] Thanks Jim, AD1C, for 2012 RTTY Roundup Plaque - Low Power W/VE

[Don Hill AA5AU]

I'd like to thank Jim, AD1C, for sponsoring the NM7M Memorial plaque for first place W/VE Low Power in the 2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup. I
received the plaque today and it's already on the wall! Thanks to the ARRL for sponsoring the contest.

Looks like I just might finish my 3rd antenna-system rebuild in the last 7 years, this time from damage due to Hurricane Isaac, in
time to participate in my 25th Roundup. It's hard to believe the Roundup has running for 25 years.

I still have to install my 40M inverted vee and if time allows, add the 30/40 meter fiberglass loop to the 2-element SteppIR that I
built from parts taken from the damaged 3-element SteppIR. This antenna took place of my KT34 on the 2nd tower. The KT34 developed
some sort of problem during the storm that killed 20 meters.

The ARRL RTTY Roundup is obviously my favorite contest and I can't wait 'til next weekend. Here's a rundown on the work I had to do
to so far which is documented at:

http://www.aa5au.com/antennas/antennas.html

Remove damaged 3-element SteppIR from tower.
Remove all other antennas and rotor from same tower - 80M inverted vee, 2M yagi
Strip all cables from tower including guys.
Take top 3 sections of tower off and replace bent section. Rebuild tower and re-install guys.
Rebuild damaged 3-element SteppIR to a modified 2-element SteppIR on 72" boom.
Remove KT34 from second tower and replace with 2-element SteppIR.
Build new 3-element SteppIR and install on main tower along with rotor and cabling.
Re-install 80M inverted vee off main tower.

Work yet to be done:
Re-install 40M inverted vee off main tower.
Add 30/40M fiberglass loop to 2-element SteppIR on second tower.

I have to say that even though it's unfortunate that I've had to go through all these rebuilds, I really enjoy doing all this
antenna work. It's fun and I guess it's one of the reasons I enjoy being a ham radio operator.

CU in the Roundup!!!

73, Don AA5AU
http://www.aa5au.com
http://www.rttycontesting.com