[TowerTalk] Building a "little pistol" contest station and the C-31XR

[Andrew Roos]

A couple of months ago, I posted asking about antenna suggestions for my
"little pistol" contest station. Thanks to all those who replied. This
post summarizes my plans (comments welcome), with a follow-up question
about the C-31XR.
 
I am purchasing an 18m free-standing tower 750mm (2 foot 6") on a side,
which will be professionally installed at my new QTH. The tower is not
telescopic or tiltover, but can be climbed on the inside, which
satisfied my XYL that it would be safer than a smaller tower that would
have to be climbed on the outside. This also means that I can locate it
closer to my shack - the tilt-over tower would have had to be about 200
ft from the shack, which is the only place with sufficient room for the
tower to tilt. 
 
Rather than starting with an "all-band" antenna, I've decided to get the
best tribander that I can (almost) afford, and add antennas as finances
permit. I'm getting a Force 12 C-31XR - the ultimate deciding factor was
its ability to have three separate feedlines. 
 
My "Mark 1" station will be the C-31XR at 70 foot, with wire antennas on
40 and 80m, without SO2R capability. This will still be a big
improvement over my previous stations, which have been wire antennas
only. 
 
The "Mark 2" station will consist of adding SO2R capability via a second
radio, SO2R switching, and Array Solutions "six pack" antenna switch and
W3NQN band filters using the separate feedlines on the C-31XR. The
intention is to learn to use SO2R, otherwise much as above. I will also
be able to enter in the multi-two category, by planning the equipment
layout so it is convenient for two operators (this is nice as my XLY is
also an amateur, although not yet a contester; and I would also like
multi-2 to increase the social aspect and introduce new amateurs to
contesting). Of course, multi-two will only be one radio per operator. 
 
The "Mark 3" station will consist of adding a 2-element 40m beam, such
as the F-12 Delta 240, above the C-31XR.
 
The "Mark 4" station includes additional switching, filtering and power
amps required to operate high power - except that legal limit is ZS is
400W, so I'm not not sure that I'll bother. 
 
Now for the question:
 
To use the C-31XR with three separate feedlines,
 
(a) Do I simply need three baluns, or is there something else I should
order. 
(b) Do I need to order the C-31 specifically for three-feed operation,
or do I just order a "standard" C-31?
(c) How easy/hard is it to convert between one and 3 feedlines once it's
on a tower? I imagine this may be hard, so I should probably use three
feedlines from the outset, even if I don't have the band filters and
second radio for SO2R.
 
Many thanks and hopefully see you in CQWW CW,
73
 
Andrew ZS6AAA (ex ZS1AN). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Andrew Roos
Poynting Antennas
 
Telephone (011) 262-5155
Facsimile  (011) 262-5156