[VHFcontesting] Time to move on.

Tue Nov 5 12:54:18 EST 2024

Dave,

I am so sorry to hear this.   As already mentioned by someone else, thankfully there was no one injured.   I did not realize you had "so much stuff" up in the air at FN47mj.   Knowing the amount of maintenance required for large antenna arrays I fully understand your decision.   I made a similar decision in 2017.   I did not have near that "much stuff" up as you did, and there wasn't any incident to prompt a decision.  But, when we decided to retire from our day jobs and sell our farm I decided I was done climbing towers.   I hired a crane to come in and lift each of my 3 towers and antenna arrays and lower them to the ground for disassembly.    I then sold all the towers.   Here at my retired location in FM07, I put up a pair of US Tower crank-up / tilt-over towers.   I also purchased a 38ft reach manlift that I use to do maintenance by lowering the towers without having to tilt them over except on rare occasions.     This has been a blessing.   The manlift is almost always parked under my VHF tower. 

The biggest downside to changing to crank-up towers was giving up hardline/heliax, and the cost of concrete for under the towers!   I did end up buying the best low loss flexible coax I could find for the 222 and up bands.   Messi & Paoloni Hyperflex 13.   Not near as good ad hardline, but better than LMR400 or even LMR600.    

I am glad you have decided to stick with 222 and 432.    Speaking of 222,   I hope to hear you tonight.

de K3SK
Dave Buckwalter
FM07th

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Hobbs <ve3kh at icloud.com> 
Sent: Monday, November 4, 2024 5:41 PM
To: David Olean <k1whs at metrocast.net>
Cc: NEWSVHF at mailman.qth.net; vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Time to move on.

That sux … luckily no one was on the tower !

But … maybe this is a good opportunity to revisit 10 GHz

Thanks, KH

> On Nov 4, 2024, at 5:11 PM, David Olean <k1whs at metrocast.net> wrote:
> 
> With a lot of sorrow, I have made the decision to dismantle my VHF/UHF station in FN43mj.  This move was precipitated by the failure of a rock anchor that was part of my new 130 ft Rohn 45 tower.  The new tower was only up and completed for two days when the failure occurred. I was preparing to install the coax and antennas.  The tower came down in the trees as the old tower had done back in 2021. It fell across some guy wires for my three stack of ten meter yagis and that 70 ft tower buckled and came down as well. In just a few seconds I lost 200 ft worth of Rohn 45 tower.  Two towers were destroyed. Thankfully, no one was killed or injured. The 130 ft tower had a brand new Prosistel rotator installed, that was destroyed in the fall.  Surveying all of the damage has convinced me that it is time to stop and dismantle what is left there as I am getting too old to maintain everything, The amount of hardware is daunting for one old person.  I am not happy.
> 
> I am going to sell my large stacks of loop yagis for 902 thru 3400 MHz
> 
> 4 X 47 element 902 MHz Loop yagis complete with H- frame and LDF4 (1/2" Heliax) phasing lines and tower mounted preamp. New price around  $2000      Used $600
> 
> 4 X 45 element 1296 MHz Loop yagis  with H frame LDF4 phasing lines, power divider and tower mtd preamp.   $500
> 
> 4 X 76 element 2304 MHz Lop yagis with H frame  LDF4 phasing lines, power divider and tower mtd preamp    $500
> 
> 4 X 112 element 3456 MHz Loop yagis with UT-141 phasing lines, and power divider      New price around $1700   Used price  $550
> 
> around 290 ft of heavy duty neoprene style 8 conductor #12 rotor cable  Two lengths.   $200 ea. One run may be smaller than #12. not sure
> 
> 100 Ft Rohn 45 with 4 X 7 el 50 MHz yagis on ring rotors  with electrical phase steering   Feedlines are four phase matched 7/8" Heliax that terminate indoors with the antenna selector and electrical beam steering system in a wall mounted box.   (Tower is still standing with all hardware)   Make an offer?  I will not break up the four yagis.  Tower guying uses Pjillystran and 1/4" EHS steel.
> 
> Assorted runs of 1 5/8" Heliax about 140-159 ft long that fed 902,  & 1296.  N connectors on each end.  (two lengths)  $300 each.
> 
> 120 Ft of LDF7 1 5.8" heliax with grey plastic plenum covering. N connectors on each end.   $300
> 
> 220 Ft of LDF7 1 5.8" heliax  N connectors on each end.   $500
> 
> LDF7-50 Heliax prices are scrap copper price.
> 
> For the moment, I am trying to keep the 222 and 432 stuff working, but that may change.   Let me know of there is any interest.  Most of the antennas are in the air at this time.
> 
> 
> 73
> 
> Dave K1WHS
> 
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> 
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