[Lowfer] " XR " antenna

[Andy - KU4XR]

I have had to rebuild the " A " frame masting for the antenna.
Not using good judgement, I mixed new 2X4's on the bottom, with 
old 2X4's for the top part of the " A " frame. When attempting to
raise the antenna, the results weren't pretty at all. The masting
broke at the joint of the 2X4's. Fortunately no one was hurt.
The masting broke while the antenna was still very close to the
ground, and no damage was done to the vertical portion of the
antenna when it hit the ground. Today, I finished the rebuilding
with all new wood, and added cross members, and angle supports to
stabilize the masting from side to side movement. It is very
sturdy now. While the mast was down, I also replaced the tent
stakes I was using for the tilt over swivel. I had 18 inch stakes
in the ground, and when the antenna fell, they pulled out of the 
ground, so I replaced them with 3 foot stakes. 
After finishing the masting, and putting the antenna back together,
I re-did my resistance measurements after Ralph mentioned that my 
meter might be reading wrong. His assumption was correct. The LCR
meter I have has a low resistance scale that is very sensitive.
With the leads open, it shows infinity of course. But when the 
leads are shorted; it reads 1.3 Ohms, I can squeeze the ends of the
probes with my fingers, and the reading drops to .7 Ohms. 
So definitely it will produce erroneous readings. Taking the 1.3 Ohms
and subtracting it from the measured value of 3.2 Ohms today yields
1.9 Ohms as measured today. And that was measured over the entire
40 feet of the antenna. ( tip of the down lead to the tip of the
top hat )...
The antenna is ready for another attempt at raising, hopefully with
better results this time.

73 everyone :



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"
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