From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Mon Nov  2 12:49:32 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2020 08:49:32 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] 2m Array Down
Message-ID: <202011021749.0A2HnX0i003721@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>

We've had very strong winds yesterday and today.  I discovered my 2m 
array came down last night.  My wife heard a big noise about 9pm and 
thought something hit the house.

The array was mounted on a Hazer lift and it appears it dropped which 
indicates the brake failed and maybe the hauling cable broke, as 
well.  The array stopped before hitting the ground so antennas look 
OK, but the 50-foot Rohn-25 tower is bent near the base.  All the 
guys went slack but this is normal when the array is lowered.  I 
realized that the top guys to the tower were not attached (which is 
normal for operating eme).  Had they been attached to the guys the 
tower might have survived.

Still strong winds so have not gone out to inspect, closely.  I 
suspecting one of the Hazer guy attachment gave way to cause the tower damage.

At this late in the season, probably unlikely to get tower down for 
repair (if possible).  It will take a boom truck to pick it off (not 
safe to climb).  Ground has been rain soaked for the last month or 
tow so will not likely support a boom truck.

6m eme array looks fine.  4.9m dish was removed last month and is on 
the ground with weights on the edge.  Pictures later.

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Mon Nov  2 13:35:53 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2020 09:35:53 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] [Moon-Net] 2m Array Down
In-Reply-To: <202011021749.0A2HnX0i003721@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011021749.0A2HnX0i003721@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <202011021835.0A2IZrhO003935@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>

I may have a backup to the 2m-eme array (maybe).  I installed two 
11-element KLM yagis in Vpol above my 6m eme yagis.  So all move with 
az-el.  The KLM yagis are rated for 2 kW PEP.  I would have to 
retrofit one of my 2m-eme preamps and TR relay to run eme on those 
antenna.  KLM claimed 13 dBd gain (I wonder).

I have 50-foot of LDF4-50A 1/2-inch line to the tower base and 
33-foot of LMR-600 up the tower.  Two-way splitter is made of RG-11 
with LMR-400 phasing lines.  Driven elements are folded dipoles with 
coax baluns.

Assessing the situation later.

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 08:49 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole via Moon-net wrote:
>We've had very strong winds yesterday and today.  I discovered my 2m 
>array came down last night.  My wife heard a big noise about 9pm and 
>thought something hit the house.
>
>The array was mounted on a Hazer lift and it appears it dropped 
>which indicates the brake failed and maybe the hauling cable broke, 
>as well.  The array stopped before hitting the ground so antennas 
>look OK, but the 50-foot Rohn-25 tower is bent near the base.  All 
>the guys went slack but this is normal when the array is lowered.  I 
>realized that the top guys to the tower were not attached (which is 
>normal for operating eme).  Had they been attached to the guys the 
>tower might have survived.
>
>Still strong winds so have not gone out to inspect, closely.  I 
>suspecting one of the Hazer guy attachment gave way to cause the tower damage.
>
>At this late in the season, probably unlikely to get tower down for 
>repair (if possible).  It will take a boom truck to pick it off (not 
>safe to climb).  Ground has been rain soaked for the last month or 
>tow so will not likely support a boom truck.
>
>6m eme array looks fine.  4.9m dish was removed last month and is on 
>the ground with weights on the edge.  Pictures later.
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
>_______________________________________________
>Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at 
>http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Mon Nov  2 14:48:59 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2020 10:48:59 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] [Moon-Net] 2m Array Down
In-Reply-To: <202011021835.0A2IZrhO003935@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011021749.0A2HnX0i003721@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>
	<202011021835.0A2IZrhO003935@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <202011021949.0A2Jn0aF020946@mail41c28.carrierzone.com>

Bottom section of tower is bent so all must be taken down. Upper four 
sections of tower look OK and most antennas OK (two lower one's hit 
the ground bending elements and broke end of one antenna (will need 
new boom to rebuild). Hazer Lift crashed and may be too damaged to 
reuse (cost $600 22 years ago). Winch may also be damaged ($150). 
Antenna H-frame and new rotator look OK. Going to attach guys from 
tower top to prevent total tower failure which would destroy it all 
($3,000+). Nothing can be done until next summer. Will ask my tower 
guys whether their boom truck can cross my lawn (may take boards for 
it to run onto or putting in a driveway to handle a 5-ton truck).

If concrete base is bent then a new base will be needed, as 
well.  Will think it over the winter.  I may opt to put up 30-foot of 
tower without Hazer with only preamps and TR relay on tower.  That 
would entail running cables to ground level where all amps would 
live.  Maintenance would entail using a man-lift but that is much 
cheaper than the boom truck.

I will explore using my two KLM yagis for 2m-eme in meantime.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com/2m-eme_down_1.jpg.
http://www.kl7uw.com/2m-eme_down_2.jpg

At 09:35 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
>I may have a backup to the 2m-eme array (maybe).  I installed two 
>11-element KLM yagis in Vpol above my 6m eme yagis.  So all move 
>with az-el.  The KLM yagis are rated for 2 kW PEP.  I would have to 
>retrofit one of my 2m-eme preamps and TR relay to run eme on those 
>antenna.  KLM claimed 13 dBd gain (I wonder).
>
>I have 50-foot of LDF4-50A 1/2-inch line to the tower base and 
>33-foot of LMR-600 up the tower.  Two-way splitter is made of RG-11 
>with LMR-400 phasing lines.  Driven elements are folded dipoles with 
>coax baluns.
>
>Assessing the situation later.
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>
>At 08:49 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole via Moon-net wrote:
>>We've had very strong winds yesterday and today.  I discovered my 
>>2m array came down last night.  My wife heard a big noise about 9pm 
>>and thought something hit the house.
>>
>>The array was mounted on a Hazer lift and it appears it dropped 
>>which indicates the brake failed and maybe the hauling cable broke, 
>>as well.  The array stopped before hitting the ground so antennas 
>>look OK, but the 50-foot Rohn-25 tower is bent near the base.  All 
>>the guys went slack but this is normal when the array is 
>>lowered.  I realized that the top guys to the tower were not 
>>attached (which is normal for operating eme).  Had they been 
>>attached to the guys the tower might have survived.
>>
>>Still strong winds so have not gone out to inspect, closely.  I 
>>suspecting one of the Hazer guy attachment gave way to cause the tower damage.
>>
>>At this late in the season, probably unlikely to get tower down for 
>>repair (if possible).  It will take a boom truck to pick it off 
>>(not safe to climb).  Ground has been rain soaked for the last 
>>month or tow so will not likely support a boom truck.
>>
>>6m eme array looks fine.  4.9m dish was removed last month and is 
>>on the ground with weights on the edge.  Pictures later.
>>
>>73, Ed - KL7UW
>>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>>   dubususa at gmail.com
>>_______________________________________________
>>Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at 
>>http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
>______________________________________________________________
>ak-vhf mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7bsc at gmail.com  Tue Nov  3 13:17:42 2020
From: kl7bsc at gmail.com (Brandon Clark)
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2020 09:17:42 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] [Moon-Net] 2m Array Down
In-Reply-To: <202011021949.0A2Jn0aF020946@mail41c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011021749.0A2HnX0i003721@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>
	<202011021835.0A2IZrhO003935@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
	<202011021949.0A2Jn0aF020946@mail41c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <e53a05f8-5d19-8e0b-1c5c-bfad1a7d54e7@gmail.com>

Hi Ed,

Just saw your emails about the array. That must hurt!

It looks like it's supposed to be breezy for another day or two, so I 
think you're on the right track to give it some time before doing 
anything with the towers.

You might think about posting something in the facebook group also. That 
would be a good way to get the word out, and maybe we can get a group 
together for some antenna work.

Brandon


On 11/2/2020 10:48, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Bottom section of tower is bent so all must be taken down. Upper four 
> sections of tower look OK and most antennas OK (two lower one's hit 
> the ground bending elements and broke end of one antenna (will need 
> new boom to rebuild). Hazer Lift crashed and may be too damaged to 
> reuse (cost $600 22 years ago). Winch may also be damaged ($150). 
> Antenna H-frame and new rotator look OK. Going to attach guys from 
> tower top to prevent total tower failure which would destroy it all 
> ($3,000+). Nothing can be done until next summer. Will ask my tower 
> guys whether their boom truck can cross my lawn (may take boards for 
> it to run onto or putting in a driveway to handle a 5-ton truck).
>
> If concrete base is bent then a new base will be needed, as well. Will 
> think it over the winter.? I may opt to put up 30-foot of tower 
> without Hazer with only preamps and TR relay on tower.? That would 
> entail running cables to ground level where all amps would live.? 
> Maintenance would entail using a man-lift but that is much cheaper 
> than the boom truck.
>
> I will explore using my two KLM yagis for 2m-eme in meantime.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> http://www.kl7uw.com/2m-eme_down_1.jpg.
> http://www.kl7uw.com/2m-eme_down_2.jpg
>
> At 09:35 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
>> I may have a backup to the 2m-eme array (maybe).? I installed two 
>> 11-element KLM yagis in Vpol above my 6m eme yagis.? So all move with 
>> az-el.? The KLM yagis are rated for 2 kW PEP.? I would have to 
>> retrofit one of my 2m-eme preamps and TR relay to run eme on those 
>> antenna.? KLM claimed 13 dBd gain (I wonder).
>>
>> I have 50-foot of LDF4-50A 1/2-inch line to the tower base and 
>> 33-foot of LMR-600 up the tower.? Two-way splitter is made of RG-11 
>> with LMR-400 phasing lines.? Driven elements are folded dipoles with 
>> coax baluns.
>>
>> Assessing the situation later.
>>
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>>
>> At 08:49 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole via Moon-net wrote:
>>> We've had very strong winds yesterday and today.? I discovered my 2m 
>>> array came down last night.? My wife heard a big noise about 9pm and 
>>> thought something hit the house.
>>>
>>> The array was mounted on a Hazer lift and it appears it dropped 
>>> which indicates the brake failed and maybe the hauling cable broke, 
>>> as well.? The array stopped before hitting the ground so antennas 
>>> look OK, but the 50-foot Rohn-25 tower is bent near the base.? All 
>>> the guys went slack but this is normal when the array is lowered.? I 
>>> realized that the top guys to the tower were not attached (which is 
>>> normal for operating eme).? Had they been attached to the guys the 
>>> tower might have survived.
>>>
>>> Still strong winds so have not gone out to inspect, closely. I 
>>> suspecting one of the Hazer guy attachment gave way to cause the 
>>> tower damage.
>>>
>>> At this late in the season, probably unlikely to get tower down for 
>>> repair (if possible).? It will take a boom truck to pick it off (not 
>>> safe to climb).? Ground has been rain soaked for the last month or 
>>> tow so will not likely support a boom truck.
>>>
>>> 6m eme array looks fine.? 4.9m dish was removed last month and is on 
>>> the ground with weights on the edge.? Pictures later.
>>>
>>> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>>> ? http://www.kl7uw.com
>>> Dubus-NA Business mail:
>>> ? dubususa at gmail.com
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at 
>>> http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html
>>
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>> ? http://www.kl7uw.com
>> Dubus-NA Business mail:
>> ? dubususa at gmail.com
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> ak-vhf mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> ? http://www.kl7uw.com
> Dubus-NA Business mail:
> ? dubususa at gmail.com
> ______________________________________________________________
> ak-vhf mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Wed Nov  4 19:47:16 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:47:16 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] [Moon-Net]   2m Array Down
In-Reply-To: <202011021949.0A2Jn0aF020946@mail41c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011021749.0A2HnX0i003721@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>
	<202011021835.0A2IZrhO003935@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
	<202011021949.0A2Jn0aF020946@mail41c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <202011050047.0A50lH2Y006687@mail42c28.carrierzone.com>

Update:

The tower is guyed to prevent further falling.

As many of you know, I put up a 6m-eme array in December 2018 and it 
is ready for use after replacing the azimuth rotator in Sept.
http://www.kl7uw.com/6m.htm

I also mounted two 11-element yagis made from a KLM 22c satellite 
x-yagi by drilling a second boom.  They are mounted above the 6m 
yagis in Vpol.  Array gain is about 15.2 dBd (17.35 dBI)  which is 
approx. 4-dB less than my XP20 array (21.3 dBi)
http://www.kl7uw.com/6M_eme_dualyagi.jpg

I tested SWR about an hour ago and have 1.2 at 144.000-144.300 so 
should make my 1500w amp happy.  The preamp/TR box needs to be moved 
from the old broken array to the 6m tower.  They will not be 
installed as close to the antennas as before, so I calculate 0.66 dB 
line loss so my NF will be about 0.75 dB.  I will have 1.25 dB line 
loss so my 1385w PA will result in 1038w at the feeds.   This is 83w 
more than I had at the 4x array.

So  working toward getting this backup system QRV before the ARRL EME 
WE (Nov.24-25).  I will run wsjt-x in single pol.  Still need to test 
the antenna system at QRO.

Elecraft shipped my serial interface (KIO3A) back to me today so 
should have K3 back in service by next Monday.  I have the KX3 set up 
for computer control so it is usable for 2m eme as an alternate. Both 
do 6m as well.

73, Ed - KL7UW



At 10:48 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole via Moon-net wrote:
>Bottom section of tower is bent so all must be taken down. Upper 
>four sections of tower look OK and most antennas OK (two lower one's 
>hit the ground bending elements and broke end of one antenna (will 
>need new boom to rebuild). Hazer Lift crashed and may be too damaged 
>to reuse (cost $600 22 years ago). Winch may also be damaged ($150). 
>Antenna H-frame and new rotator look OK. Going to attach guys from 
>tower top to prevent total tower failure which would destroy it all 
>($3,000+). Nothing can be done until next summer. Will ask my tower 
>guys whether their boom truck can cross my lawn (may take boards for 
>it to run onto or putting in a driveway to handle a 5-ton truck).
>
>If concrete base is bent then a new base will be needed, as 
>well.  Will think it over the winter.  I may opt to put up 30-foot 
>of tower without Hazer with only preamps and TR relay on 
>tower.  That would entail running cables to ground level where all 
>amps would live.  Maintenance would entail using a man-lift but that 
>is much cheaper than the boom truck.
>
>I will explore using my two KLM yagis for 2m-eme in meantime.
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>http://www.kl7uw.com/2m-eme_down_1.jpg.
>http://www.kl7uw.com/2m-eme_down_2.jpg
>
>At 09:35 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
>>I may have a backup to the 2m-eme array (maybe).  I installed two 
>>11-element KLM yagis in Vpol above my 6m eme yagis.  So all move 
>>with az-el.  The KLM yagis are rated for 2 kW PEP.  I would have to 
>>retrofit one of my 2m-eme preamps and TR relay to run eme on those 
>>antenna.  KLM claimed 13 dBd gain (I wonder).
>>
>>I have 50-foot of LDF4-50A 1/2-inch line to the tower base and 
>>33-foot of LMR-600 up the tower.  Two-way splitter is made of RG-11 
>>with LMR-400 phasing lines.  Driven elements are folded dipoles 
>>with coax baluns.
>>
>>Assessing the situation later.
>>
>>73, Ed - KL7UW
>>
>>At 08:49 AM 11/2/2020, Edward R Cole via Moon-net wrote:
>>>We've had very strong winds yesterday and today.  I discovered my 
>>>2m array came down last night.  My wife heard a big noise about 
>>>9pm and thought something hit the house.
>>>
>>>The array was mounted on a Hazer lift and it appears it dropped 
>>>which indicates the brake failed and maybe the hauling cable 
>>>broke, as well.  The array stopped before hitting the ground so 
>>>antennas look OK, but the 50-foot Rohn-25 tower is bent near the 
>>>base.  All the guys went slack but this is normal when the array 
>>>is lowered.  I realized that the top guys to the tower were not 
>>>attached (which is normal for operating eme).  Had they been 
>>>attached to the guys the tower might have survived.
>>>
>>>Still strong winds so have not gone out to inspect, closely.  I 
>>>suspecting one of the Hazer guy attachment gave way to cause the tower damage.
>>>
>>>At this late in the season, probably unlikely to get tower down 
>>>for repair (if possible).  It will take a boom truck to pick it 
>>>off (not safe to climb).  Ground has been rain soaked for the last 
>>>month or tow so will not likely support a boom truck.
>>>
>>>6m eme array looks fine.  4.9m dish was removed last month and is 
>>>on the ground with weights on the edge.  Pictures later.
>>>
>>>73, Ed - KL7UW
>>>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>>>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>>>   dubususa at gmail.com
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at 
>>>http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html
>>
>>73, Ed - KL7UW
>>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>>   dubususa at gmail.com
>>______________________________________________________________
>>ak-vhf mailing list
>>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>>
>>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
>_______________________________________________
>Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at 
>http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Nov  7 01:23:26 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2020 21:23:26 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET:  7 Nov. 144.200 USB
Message-ID: <202011070623.0A76NR4W025137@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>

The net begins at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.  I will also monitor 223.50 FM

During the high winds last weekend I lost my 2m-eme array so will not 
have it or their preamps for use.  Wednesday I used my dual KLM 
11-element array with good signals into Anchorage but I have an 
intermittent problem with high SWR so it is out of commission.  That 
leaves my ARX-270 17-foot long vertical.

However I mounted my M2 7-element yagi on the short satellite tower, 
today.  Tower  is laid over on a hinge plate so I will try to raise 
if before the net.  It will only be 12-foot high and probably not 
have more gain than the vertical.  But if I get it up we can compare signals.

I'm pondering whether to rent a man-lift to gain access to the dual 
KLM yagis and coax run.  I had plans to try 2m-eme with them later 
this month but need good SWR.  If I do this I might also try 
installing my 432, 900, and 1296 antennas on my HF tower fix-pointed 
to Anchorage.  Probably get them up near 40-foot.

My 4-yagi 2m eme system is down until next summer when the tower must 
be removed and a shorter tower reinstalled.  This is a complete 
re-build project.


73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sun Nov  8 03:24:24 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2020 23:24:24 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET:  7 Nov. 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <202011070623.0A76NR4W025137@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011070623.0A76NR4W025137@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <202011080824.0A88OP2M026910@mail40c28.carrierzone.com>

Net report:

I was only able to use my vertical so this hampered signals:
KL3WF - S1/2 good copy
KL4E - S0 barely copyable
KL2E - S0/1 OK
KL4VB - NR
others - NR

I powered up my preamps on the 2m-eme array which crashed to ground 
last Monday but there was no output (power wiring probably 
severed).  I had removed two of the lower yagis on Thursday.  The 
2m-eme array also held my 432, 900, and 1296 antenna so I am off the 
air on those bands, as well.  2m-eme array will no be restored until 
next spring/summer.

I have two KLM 11-element yagis at 45-foot but SWR is very high so 
not currently  usable (they worked fine during last Wed. 
Net).  Suspect cable intermittent somewhere above ground.  I will 
have to rent a man-lift to fix this.

Friday afternoon I installed a 7-element2m yagi on my short satellite 
tower and raised the tower in the morning before net, but one of the 
jumper coax lines had high SWR (connector short; I fixed it in the 
afternoon).  That antenna may work better than the vertical (need to 
do comparison test with someone in Anchorage).

Test with KL4E on 223.50 was difficult (indicating poor 
propagation).  I had good 222 signals with Craig on the Wednesday simplex net.

If I can rent a man-lift and wx permits I may have the dual 
11-element array fixed by next weekend (??).

73, Ed

At 09:23 PM 11/6/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
>The net begins at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.  I will also monitor 223.50 FM
>
>During the high winds last weekend I lost my 2m-eme array so will 
>not have it or their preamps for use.  Wednesday I used my dual KLM 
>11-element array with good signals into Anchorage but I have an 
>intermittent problem with high SWR so it is out of commission.  That 
>leaves my ARX-270 17-foot long vertical.
>
>However I mounted my M2 7-element yagi on the short satellite tower, 
>today.  Tower  is laid over on a hinge plate so I will try to raise 
>if before the net.  It will only be 12-foot high and probably not 
>have more gain than the vertical.  But if I get it up we can compare signals.
>
>I'm pondering whether to rent a man-lift to gain access to the dual 
>KLM yagis and coax run.  I had plans to try 2m-eme with them later 
>this month but need good SWR.  If I do this I might also try 
>installing my 432, 900, and 1296 antennas on my HF tower fix-pointed 
>to Anchorage.  Probably get them up near 40-foot.
>
>My 4-yagi 2m eme system is down until next summer when the tower 
>must be removed and a shorter tower reinstalled.  This is a complete 
>re-build project.
>
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
>______________________________________________________________
>ak-vhf mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Fri Nov 13 16:12:28 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:12:28 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 14 Nov. - 144.200 USB
Message-ID: <202011132112.0ADLCU29028981@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>

Net begins at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.  I also monitor 223.50 FM.

Last week I used the 17-foot 10 dBi vertical.  Since then have a 
7-element M2 yagi mounted about 12-foot on a short tower.
I will compare how well they workwith 120w, tomorrow.

I am renting a man-lift on Saturday afternoon for the weekend so hope 
to have SWR fixed for the dual 11-element yagis.  Also will try 
raising my 432-18 yagi, 900 33 loop-yagi, and 1296 45 loop-yagis 
bolted to the 6m tower pointed toward Anchorage.  Mounted on a small 
H-frame, the top antenna will be about 40-feet above ground.

Probably only have feed lines for 432/1296 installed (reuse of my 
LMR-600 2m-eme feedline cut in two 25-foot runs).  Electronics moved 
from 2m-eme tower next week (hopefully).

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Nov 14 19:38:53 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:38:53 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 14 Nov. - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <202011132112.0ADLCU29028981@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011132112.0ADLCU29028981@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <202011150038.0AF0ct3c030675@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

Net report:

144.200 USB
Using 7-element yagi at 12-feet:
KL4E - S0 but good copy
KL4VB - NR
KL7XJ - S0 good copy
WL7AU - heard voice but no copy

Using 17-foot vertical:
KL4E - S2 much better copy
KL7XJ - S5, Dale is 90-degrees from direction yagi points
KL6M - S1/S2
Propagation improving toward end of net

223.50 FM
using two 11-element yagis at 60-foot:
KL4E 2-bars improving to 3-bars
KL7XJ  3-bars
KL4VB - NR
224.94 repeater 1-bar (usually heard at 3-bar)

Conclusion is the vertical works better for being heard in Anchorage 
and hearing station from Anchorage.
I am using the FT-736R with 125w amplifier, no preamp.

146.94 repeater - S8/S9 (I monitor this repeater)
147.30 repeater - S5
147.33 repeater - S2/S4

I hope to have the dual KLM 11-element yagis at 45-feet working by 
next weekend (15.2 dBd/17.35 dBi per VE7BQH).  This is just 4-dB less 
gain than my eme array (which came down in the windstorm Nov. 
2nd).  I am planning to move my preamps & TR relay box to use with 
the KLM antennas which should greatly restore running the net.  I am 
hoping to use the KLM antennas on 2m eme (TBD).

Also plan to install my 432, 900, and 1296 yagis on the 39-foot 
6m-eme tower fixed toward Anchorage.  May take some time to get all 
functional but should be ready by January VHF Contest weekend (Jan. 16-17).

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 12:12 PM 11/13/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
>Net begins at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.  I also monitor 223.50 FM.
>
>Last week I used the 17-foot 10 dBi vertical.  Since then have a 
>7-element M2 yagi mounted about 12-foot on a short tower.
>I will compare how well they workwith 120w, tomorrow.
>
>I am renting a man-lift on Saturday afternoon for the weekend so 
>hope to have SWR fixed for the dual 11-element yagis.  Also will try 
>raising my 432-18 yagi, 900 33 loop-yagi, and 1296 45 loop-yagis 
>bolted to the 6m tower pointed toward Anchorage.  Mounted on a small 
>H-frame, the top antenna will be about 40-feet above ground.
>
>Probably only have feed lines for 432/1296 installed (reuse of my 
>LMR-600 2m-eme feedline cut in two 25-foot runs).  Electronics moved 
>from 2m-eme tower next week (hopefully).
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
>______________________________________________________________
>ak-vhf mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Wed Nov 18 19:06:06 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:06:06 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] Progress on alternatives to my eme array
Message-ID: <202011190006.0AJ067Nt008669@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

I rented a Man-lift yesterday and found the bad SWR (bad PL-259 
connector at the cox tee which splits RF to my two KLM 11-element 
yagis.  I used one of my ten foot eme phasing lines (LMR-400) to 
replace the bad coax jumper.  Surprised to see 1.0 SWR from 144-147; 
1.5 at 148.  I see not even a 'wiggle' on the SWR meter in reflected 
with 120w forward.

Comparing the vertical antenna with the KLM yagi array:  146.94 S9 vs 
S9+35: 147.30 S8 vs S9 (on FT-736R)

I am using a 50-foot run of LMR-400 from the house to 33-foot of 
LMR-600 up the tower, then about 20-foot of LMR-400 to the yagis.  I 
will substitute the 50-foot run with a 1/2-inch new LDF4-50 run of 
Heliax which will lower loss from 0.75 dB to 0.44 dB.  I bought the 
Heliax for my eme array but not need it until the eme tower is fixed.

I also put up a 4-foot wide F-frame to mount my 1296 loop yagi and 
900 loop yag (separated by 6-foot riser).  Ran out of time before the 
man-lift was due to be returned to install the 18-element 432 yagi.

Ran two coax lines for 1296 and 900 using ten-foot LMR-400 and 
20-foot of LMR-600.  They are not connected as yet.

I will move my 1296/432 amp box and the 900 amp box to the 6m tower 
for connection to the antennas.  They will share use of the Heliax 
for transmit.  Also will move the 2m-eme preamp/TR relay box so it 
can be used with the KLM yagis.

Got my K3 serial interface board from Elecraft, today, so that 
restores my K3 to full use.  Looks promising to do eme with the KLM 
yagis for the EME Contest Nov. 28/29.

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Nov 21 05:37:28 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2020 01:37:28 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 21 Nov. - 144.200 USB
Message-ID: <202011211037.0ALAbTiQ009428@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

The net will begin at 9:30 am on 144.200 USB.  I will also monitor 223.50 FM.
I will be using my two KLM 11-element yagis at 45-feet running 
120w.  Signals should be better than last weekend when I was using 
the vertical (with 7-dB less gain).

Hope to see you tomorrow!


73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sun Nov 22 00:19:22 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2020 20:19:22 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 21 Nov. - 144.200 USB
In-Reply-To: <202011211037.0ALAbTiQ009428@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <202011211037.0ALAbTiQ009428@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <202011220519.0AM5JNoi017402@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

Net Report:

144.200 USB:
First heard was:
KL3WF - S3
KL4E - S1 to S0 (not as strong as during the Wed. Simplex net where I saw S5)
KL4VB - heard only once
WL7AU - NR by relay via KL4E
KL7XJ - S2 (Dale using his eggbeater satellite antenna which is omni)
KL6M - S6/S7 (Mike running his yagi)
wx was very windy which I suppose disturbed any VHF enhancement prop.

2m propagation improved a little toward end of the net.  VHF prop 
always is unpredictable which makes it interesting.

223.50 FM:
KL4E - 2bars
KL7XJ - 2bars
which is about normal.

Next Saturday net will be on 146.52 FM
I will be working to improve my station so might have better signals.

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 01:37 AM 11/21/2020, Edward R Cole wrote:
>The net will begin at 9:30 am on 144.200 USB.  I will also monitor 223.50 FM.
>I will be using my two KLM 11-element yagis at 45-feet running 
>120w.  Signals should be better than last weekend when I was using 
>the vertical (with 7-dB less gain).
>
>Hope to see you tomorrow!
>
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
>______________________________________________________________
>ak-vhf mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Nov 28 00:22:54 2020
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2020 20:22:54 -0900
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 28 Nov. -146.52 FM
Message-ID: <202011280522.0AS5MtY5020520@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>

The net will begin at 9:30am on 146.52 FM.  I also monitor 223.50 FM

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!  We stayed home this year (normally 
eat dinner out) and Janet made a ham, sweat potato and coleslaw.
Easy-peasy.  All our family is in the lower-48.

I made some progress getting my 2m eme-station moved to the tower 
that holds both 6m and 2m yagis.  So I now have the preamp to help 
receive using the dual 11-element 2m yagis.  This will be the set up 
until I rebuild my eme array next spring/summer.

So hope you can join us for the net, tomorrow!

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


