[UK-CONTEST] Further to Generators...

[G3SJJ]

Adrian, I would suggest the following :

1 - If at all possible base the shack in or near the house. You are 
seriously going to limit your on-air time otherwise. You can then split 
the project in two halves, optimising the shack and optimising antennas.

2 - Then run a length of LDF to a waterproof box and install a remote 
antenna relay switch. I use the Topten Devices 6 way box but microHam 
now do 9 and 10 way I think. You will need a 7 (or 10 or 11) way cable 
run, you may need to double up on the cable or use 24v to overcome I2R 
loss. 

3 - Make a long term plan. What do you want to achieve in five years time?

4 - Make annual short term plans to upgrade or add something each year. 
Do it in bit sized chunks, don't plan to do it all in one go. It just 
won't happen.

Here, I started building up the station about 6 years ago at the height 
of the sunspot cycle so just had a 4 el monoband yagi for 10m, no 
rotator, beamed east in the morning and west in the afternoon by pulling 
on a rope! Added a rotator the next year, then when 10m started to 
decline changed to an A4S. Another year I added the 40m 2 el phased 
vertical array, then the 80m gp, adding more radials each year. Last 
year I added 30m delta Loop and now plan to make up a 12/17m rotatable 
dipole. Though no real hurry, I haul up wire dipoles to work specific 
dxpeditions.

Having just visited several contest stations in the US including W3LPL  
M/M, I am quite fired up to make some more drastic changes!! Though I 
had to agree with the Management that I didn't spend any more money on 
radio this year after 11 days socialising at FOC D.C. Dinner and Dayton 
Hamvention, and bringing back a K2 kit!! Of course, I readily agreed!! 
(Hmm, well I am chief accountant, as well as a good cook!!)

So, take it steady and plan.  Good luck.  Chris G3SJJ


ADRIAN REES wrote:
> Hi all
> I have recently moved into a new QTH. Its a good VHF location as its located 1,200 Feet ASL with a clear take off North round East to South (Clear to some 90 - 120Km) with a flat take off to the West.
>  
> I am planning on putting the shack in what I call "the top field", which is located some 450 Metres from the house. This is the best location, height wise, and for positioning of the masts, as they will be impossible to view from all but one of the neighbours due to the way the land lies. However, supplying power to the shack is going to be a problem...I suspect. 
>  
> It seems to me that I have a number of options, in general:
>  
> 1. Cable (costly in terms of Cable...and losses...and equipment what would a 12 - 20 V Drop do to a Valved Linear ?)
> 2. Generator (costly to purchase...and run ?)
> 3. Relocate the Shack (costly in terms of Coax Feeders...although I have a good supply of used LDF 4-50, 5-50 and 6-50). 
>  
> Comments anyone ?
>  
>  (I have emailed one of the forum members about this (Thanks for your assistance) although I have mislaid his email address apologies). 
>  
> Adrian Rees
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