[Lowfer] Proposed Beacon " XR " Top Hat: Boom, or Bust !!

[Andy - KU4XR]

For your viewing amusement, some photos of the Top Hat I have
been constructing for lowFER beacon " XR ". It will either be 
a fabulous Idea, or a horrible disappointment. But I am game 
to give it a try just to be able to say that I did.
Pass, or Fail; it will definitely be a learning experience.
For myself, as well as others who may have been curious about 
trying this type of Top Hat setup. Basic details as you will 
see in the photos. The entire Top Hat is made from HVAC foil
tape. To further the experiment; I found that overlapping
pieces of tape conducted to each other. This gave me the idea 
to try covering the entire length on 2 inch PVC pipe with the
foil tape. The outside diameter will be 2-1/2 inches. I am hoping
that this will act almost the same as a 2-1/2 inch Aluminum
pipe, greatly increasing the size of the radiating section.
A total length of 20 feet will be covered with the foil tape,
and connecting to the 10 foot square Top Hat. All of the foil
covered area will be above the side of the mobile home in the 
clear. At the moment, I have the Top Hat on 14 feet of PVC, 
and I have it standing in the open, a few feet from the mobile
home. I used my LCR meter to see if I could measure any
capacitance on it. I stuck 1 probe into the soil about 1/2 inch,
and touched the other probe to the PVC pipe at the bottom, 
14 feet below the Top Hat. On the 20nF scale, it shows .070nF
which I think is 70pF. I had hoped for more than that on the
meter, and in the real world when I have it above the ground
radials, it might actually have much more capacitance to ground.
But it will be 40 feet in the air when I get it up, so this is
completely an " I don't know what is going to happen " scenario.
I do have some stabilizing to do to the Top Hat to keep it from
flopping wildly in the wind. It might turn out to be one of the 
" it was fun while it lasted " events. I'll certainly see over
time won't I ?? < :~) >

Photo link, I hope it works:  

http://ku4xr.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=9876191


Well 73 to all for now:



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