[K6BW] Fw: TH7

[David Mueller]

  Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the meeting
tonight since I have an AutoCAD class tonight from
6-10PM at the College of Marin.

  Regarding your questions...I know the shack has a
couple rotators, but I wasn't able to find a mast
mount adapter for any.  Even if I did, I would feel
uncomfortable putting such a large antenna atop a
HAMIV  rotor - they just aren't designed to support
stress from side to side.  I decided to save the
rotator for the crank-up tower, where it can be
mounted inside the cage and side loads supported with
a thrust bearing.  
   Unfortunately, guy anchor points lined up as they
did so the elements caught the tree.  I could move the
antenna further away from the trees, but I wouldn't
have the anchor points, plus the elements would be
closer to guy wires and possible interaction.
   As for mounting stuff on the big tower, I won't
climb the tower without the proper safety equipment. 
I'm waiting for the USCG to reimburse my moving
expenses, and I'm using some of it to buy the correct
climbing safety gear.  I get asked to climb often (I'm
usually the youngest guy around), and I'm not really
comfortable with heights, especially while working
with  gear of unknown quality.  I expect in a month or
so I'll finally see the money and will buy the stuff I
need to mount some big low band HF antennas on the
tower.  
   I personally prefer doing the legwork myself.  It's
easier to get the power company to fix a noise source
if I can tell them exactly which pole is the problem.
Bill mentioned that he has some line noise sniffing
equipment.  It's a fun learning experience to track
the stuff down yourself.
   Bill and I have been talking about the crank-up
tower.  Once I get the third guy anchor point dug,
we'll be able to pour some concrete and start making
progress in that direction.  The tower isn't that
heavy (I can lift it myself), and I think we can get
it in the air pretty easily without outside
assistance.
   In the meanwhile, I'm preparing to compete in the
North American CW Sprint this weekend, the fastest
paced contest in the hobby.  It's only 4 hours long,
held Saturday night, and one of the rules is that you
must QSY after every QSO.  It makes for a very
high-paced, confusing, and fun contest, where you make
lengthy exchanges (both calls, QSO number, and name),
averaging 36-38WPM.  I'll be operating from W6NL's
3200ft QTH in Los Gatos, operating two radios at the
same time, one in each ear: Two Kenwood TS950's, two
Alpha 87A KW amplifiers, and monoband yagis.

73, Dave N2NL

PS - Nice job with the DX from home, Paul!  If not for
the big flare we're getting right now, I'd bet you
would be able to work Europe pretty easily from the
club with the new antenna (20M).  The other day I
worked several, with a dipole before the TH7 was
installed.  I'll turn the antenna toward Europe before
class incase anyone wants to give it a listen anyway.



 
    
--- ab6mt <ab6mt at sonic.net> wrote:

> David,
>    Congrats on getting the antenna up!  Can we get a
> rotator to fit
> somewhere (ebay?).I would be happy to help.  As for
> the trees, what has
> priority in space over there?  As for the big tower,
> have we approached the
> armed services guys nearby, or PG&E, or cable
> company , etc. to donate use
> of a boom-hoist and a little labor?  Re. the
> interference, if there IS
> arcing on the nearby power lines, we can help PG&E
> save some power by
> helping them locate it and repairing it.  Perhaps
> the goodwill could result
> in services of a hoist to get the tower up!  Just
> some suggestions.  I am
> now AE6UI, thanks to you and the Hamilton Club
> getting me through the
> General.  I hope the scouts are using the
> transceiver I donated.  It seems
> that if the word went out through that organization
> that you needed some
> help with the tower, it might fall on the right ears
> too.
>             I have an icom 760 Pro and a folded
> Dipole and a vertical for
> six meters and a vertical for two meters.  I am not
> very active, I just drop
> in when I have a spare hour or so, but have worked
> Europe, Eastern Europe,
> Japan, South Pacific, Canada, and eight U.S. States,
> mostly on 20 Meters
> using the folded dipole (got it at HRO in a box). 
> Just having fun.  Thanks
> for the encouragement when I decided to get
> re-licensed after 40 years off
> the air.
> 
> -        Paul Claeyssens
> -        AE6UI in Petaluma
> -        (QSL card attached and card on eQSL.cc)
> 
> http://www.sonic.net/~hbcs/hwa/AE6QIQSL.jpg
> 
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> K6BW at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/k6bw
> 



	
		
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