[TowerTalk] Suggestions for antennas for a Caribbean contesting station

[Rudy Bakalov via TowerTalk]

Hi John,

This is very helpful.  How does fiberglass age in such environments? Would that be an option?

Also, did you try to do anything with the palm trees? Verticals, wire beams, etc.?

Rudy N2WQ

Sent using a tiny keyboard.  Please excuse brevity, typos, or inappropriate autocorrect.


> On Jun 9, 2014, at 9:56 PM, <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
> 
> I have used temporary antennas from a number of countries in the Caribbean
> and they worked pretty well with no issues. I even tried the verticals on
> the beach from Cayman Is. For a decade I owned a station in Aruba with two
> towers http://www.qrz.com/db/p40a and I quickly learned how damaging salt
> spray can be. Steel towers and guy cables require regular painting in an
> attempt to slow down corrosion. You will still lose the corrosion battle,
> but at a slower pace if you paint it. Most of my antennas were homebrew,
> built very heavy duty with 100% stainless steel hardware. Unfortunately in a
> corrosive environment, the stainless steel destroys any aluminum it is in
> contact with. Steel hardware quickly rusts away. If you intent to keep
> something up for a few years or longer you will have some maintenance
> issues.  I do not think there is any way around this. Quality Yagis hold up
> fine with the constant wind for a while however I am not sure that a quad
> would last long.  The good news is even a little antenna produces a big
> signal from the Caribbean!
> 
> GL,
> John KK9A - P40A
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rudy Bakalov [mailto:r_bakalov at yahoo.com] 
> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2014 8:50 PM
> To: <john at kk9a.com>
> Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Suggestions for antennas for a Caribbean contesting
> station
> 
> John,
> 
> That would be a permanent installation. On the flip side, I don't want to
> grow a forest of towers.
> 
> Rudy N2WQ
> 
> Sent using a tiny keyboard.  Please excuse brevity, typos, or inappropriate
> autocorrect.
> 
> 
>> On Jun 9, 2014, at 8:23 PM, <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Is this a permanent or temporary installation?  
>> 
>> John KK9A
>> 
>> 
>> To:     "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject:     [TowerTalk] Suggestions for antennas for a Caribbean
>> contesting    station
>> From:     Rudy Bakalov via TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Reply-to:     Rudy Bakalov <r_bakalov at yahoo.com>
>> Date:     Mon, 9 Jun 2014 14:47:15 -0700 (PDT)
>> List-post:     <towertalk at contesting.com">mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Seeking suggestions/ideas from anyone with relevant experience owning and 
>> maintaining antennas on the Caribbean. Specifically, I was wondering what
>> would 
>> be a good set up on the upper bands- 2 or 3 el yagi/tribander, a quad, hex
> 
>> beam, etc. Primary consideration is the ability to withstand strong 35-50
>> mph 
>> winds (thankfully, no hurricanes!) and the harsh weather. Proximity to the
> 
>> beach is about 500 yards and about 100' above sea level.
>> 
>> 
>> Rudy N2WQ
>> 
>