[TAC] Antenna discussion

[Jeff]

At 01:39 PM 9/13/05, you wrote:
>All...
>
>RE: BC Special
>
>I remember too...we put it up in relatively calm WX, guyed securely 
>to trees, fence post, etc.  Lots of radials.  It came down -FAST- in 
>rainy, windy WX.  The last 20 foot drop caused by the base slipping 
>out.  No damage except to heart muscle and nerves.   Question is, do 
>we have enough support(s) to keep it up in November(?)



>Yes, it was in a wooden crate (or maybe a golf bag).  This was an 
>aluminum mast antenna...didn't we use the wire version on 
>Saipan...sloped up from the base to the flagpole/lightning arrestor 
>on the elevator shaft and then sloped off to the other wing section 
>of the Saipan Diamond Hotel.  As I recall, no aluminum mast was 
>involved(?) except for the base plate.  Had to go to the roof to 
>manually change bands.

Stan,
Your recollection is correct on KH0.  The wire version (and also the 
aluminum one) were switched between 160 (18 ohms) and 80/40 (32 ohms) 
by a toggle switch, which selected taps on a ferrite unun.  There are 
a number of ways to skin this cat.  You could use a tuner and 
dispense with the switching, since loss won't be an issue on the low 
bands.  I think I built a remote relay switch which was powered by 12 
volts through the coax... but we opted to use the more bulletproof 
method of manual switching when we went to Miquelon in the late '90's.



>The FP setup did play well, and we were loud in EU on 80 for 
>sure...BUT ... would we still be loud enough from there with the B&W?
>
>With the way band condx have been lately the low bands will probably 
>be very important in the test.
>
>If we take it we should be prepared for overweight and/or extra 
>baggage charges.

By itself, I don't think the antenna will weigh in as heavy as the 
aluminum military masts. It is made of much lighter weight 
aluminum.  The first 32 feet or so is 2" x .058" wall.  The upper 12 
feet is 1.5" x .058 wall.  Add traps and wire, brackets, rope, 4 
small tarps for anchors.  The issue is, there is room (and the 
temptation) to store other stuff  in the hard golf case.  That will 
increase the weight, of course.

Jeff - N8CC