[EIDXA] N0YY - Antenna Update

[reheinri at rockwellcollins.com]

So close, yet so far....

Thought it was time for an update on the N0YY tower and antenna project. 
Let me preface the update with the perspective of "things are not always 
as they appear..."  I got the tower down, later than I had planned, with 
the help from Terry, W0AWL with the intent of replacing the bent parts 
with those I picked up at Dayton this year.  Well the damage was worse 
than planned and this was a bit of a setback.  I had to order a couple of 
other single rails and a few more cross braces for the tower.  Well those 
were received after a couple of weeks of pleading to "express" ship them. 
The problem was a package that was greater than 50 pounds and more than 6 
feet long.  So finally I found a courier that would ship form Canada and 
"expedite" the shipping.

Well lo and behold a UPS truck pulled into my driveway and dropped off the 
package.  Well dropped off was the operative word.  It came flying out the 
back of the truck with a clang.  So back to the drawing board to get the 
parts again, one of the rails was bent AGAIN from getting dropped and 
driven over what looked like several times.

So I now have the tower parts.  But when the antennas were assessed I 
needed even more aluminum.  Well that finally arrived.  And when the tower 
bent, I lost two of the coax feeds - the cable was crushed at the folded 
metal point.  And of course the rotor was full of water - a wonderful rust 
colored ooze poured out when Terry and I looked at it.

So to make a long story short...  I am still waiting for a few parts.  I 
have all the fabricated stainless steel parts from Storm Steel for the 
accessories.  Richard at K0XG Systems did a wonderful job of getting me 
the replacement Chrome Moly mast nice and galvanized for an outstanding 
price.

But now I don't have access to the fields next to the tower because we 
just entered sheep breeding season and I have lost access for at least 7 
weeks.

So the tower project will recommence in Spring 2009.  I will lose another 
season of DX and contesting from home.  Good thing N0NI and PJ2T will fill 
some of the void or I would go CRAZY!!!

So I may call a few of you to chase Glorioso if and when it is active.

Let me know if you are looking for a guest op as well.  Maybe this winter 
I will get to the QSL process that I am about 20 years behind in as well. 
Plus other inside projects so they won't challenge me next spring.

ARRGGGHHHHH

Rick N0YY