[Lowfer] Final design for new antenna at Beacon " XR "

[Andy - KU4XR]

Hello fellow LF'ers:

After quite a bit of deliberation, I have finally decided on the final
design for the new antenna for Beacon " XR ". The new antenna is a 
necessity because it must be self supporting with the exception of the
guy ropes. I started running into some problems with the utility Co. by using the power poles to tie my twine to , to be able to hold the top
hat up. They told me I can't use their poles due to liability issues.
Makes sense... and I had some of the twine running over pine branches,
and so I was constantly having to put lines back up because of breaks.
The sun wasn't very kind to the twine either. Using all the advice, and
available info. I could get, I have finally decided to go with a 40 foot
mast, made of wood, and schedule 40 PVC. Stuff that I either had on hand,
or could be bought very inexpensively. The vertical part of the radiator
will be 35 feet in length, with 5 feet turning horizontal, and coming into 
the window to the loading coil. The horizontal section will 5 feet above 
the ground. For the time being, I have opted to stay with the base mounted
loading coil/variometer. The elevated coil, if done right, presents many
constructional, and tuning difficulties. I won't rule out the possibility
of an elevated coil at a later time though..... The top hat will be a
9 foot in length " semi - circle " similar to the old antenna I had,
only half the size. The old top hat was 18 1/2 feet in length and had
13 wires in it. On the 9 foot top hat, I will be using most likely number
18 insulated wire from a bunch of rotator cable I have on hand, and will
put as many wires in the perimeter as I possibly can to try and get the
capacitance to ground as high as possible. I'm going to try for 32 wires.
I will use a # 10 bare wire for the perimeter wire. It will be easy to
solder the smaller wires to. 
I will use 3 - 10 foot lengths of 1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC to hold up the
top hat, and a 3 foot vertical pipe with tensioning wires to help keep 
wire sag to a minimum. It will look like a big fan standing up there. 
That is, If I can get it stood up there to begin with. I plan to guy it
at about 36 feet, that is where a pipe joint will be at, and I hope this
will help to minimize shaking at the joint from wind. The wooden " A " 
frame will be secured to the side of my mobile home.
So, in comparison, The old antenna was 30 feet AGL, the new one will be
40 feet AGL. The old top hat was 18 - 1/2 feet long, and the new one 
will be 9 feet long. So, I am gaining 10 feet in height, but loosing
9 - 1/2 feet in top hat. The overall antenna length will still be the 
same 49 feet, +/- an inch or two. The new antenna will be a little less
obtrusive to the surroundings, and thus hopefully draw less attention.
I have all the materials on hand, and now comes the slow process of 
working in the heat, and putting it together in small portions. I will 
not be able to attach the top hat, and the radiator wire until I am 
ready to raise the antenna into position. I hope to put this antenna
together in such a manner that it will be able to stay up for a few
years, but that may be wishful thinking though. Wind, and weather do
take their toll.  I hope everyone has a great day; 73 to all : 


Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz ( QRSS-60 )

*** Temporarily OFF, while constructing a new antenna ***

Coordinates:  N:  35º 43' 54" - W:  84º 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr