It has been a few weeks since I’ve posted under this rubric.
One of you readers sent me a laser measuring device, which should be helpful. Thanks! Also, I got some Anderson Powerpole stuff. Thanks!
I have some serious to do lists over the next couple days, but hopefully I’ll be able to get out this week with the new rig.
Also, you may recall that me older Kenwood had an brush with Zuhlsdorf’s Law. One of the parishioners is an electrician and he has done stuff with radios. He was kind enough to have a look. When he got back to me, he said that he had good news and bad news. The good news is that there is nothing wrong with it. The bad news is that there is nothing wrong with it. Thus, we are not sure what happened. That said, I hope never to recreate the problem.
Meanwhile, I have now a transceiver that I could take southward to my maternal parent’s house. Alas, having just visited there, I noticed that there are powerlines running in two directions through her back yard. I also noticed while driving around in the area that there were antennas everywhere! I suspect that quite a few people who retired there from the north – or perhaps their heirs – may be ready to shed some equipment. Just a thought for later.
I received links to some amazing videos of a Contest Station here in WI, near Eau Claire. Pretty amazing. Interesting music choices, too!
Meanwhile, I struggle to figure out how to string something minimal up.
I’m in limbo.
Congratulations on getting your Extra license!
I got a Technician license five years ago (where did that time go?!). I’ve been intending to get the General and Extra, but other stuff keeps getting in the way. I need to make it a higher priority.
Very, very cool!
[Very.]
Thanks, Father Z for posting this! The contest farm is W0AIH just SE of Eau Claire near Brackett. There are around 60 towers that range from 50 to 200 feet in height. That is my FIL, Reverend Paul Bittner (retired, Missouri Synod) in red on the top of the 140 foot tower where the crane lifted an 80 meter yagi beam two weeks ago. It is actually made of tower sections and weights around 3000 pounds (thus the need for the crane). You also see the wind generator that he is very proud of. He will be 83 years old on Christmas Day. I know he would be very happy to host any of you hams at the farm for upcoming contests.
String up something minimal? Do you have the ability to string a wire up about 10m/33ft? I’ve had a lot of luck with an earchi style vertical. It’s about as minimal as you can get. There’s a wire, a 9:1 UNUN, a 25′ of coax, and your radio.
I run mine up an ash tree in my back yard with my QRP rig, and it works quite well (though not as well as the Alexloop, I must admit).
https://youtu.be/BrVgcxVqwng
always liked the quad. https://youtu.be/BrVgcxVqwng