So I’ve finally gotten around to some of the antenna work I’ve been planning since the spring. Today I worked on modifying the MA5B. I had ordered 4 6 foot pieces of the appropriate diameter aluminimum from Texas Towers back in the spring. This replaced the section just out from the middle of each element (the piece that connects to the “traps”). I’ll have to re-measure so I can post some accurate measurements, but basically I did the “cut and test” method to find the right spot. For better or worse, the reflector is 5% longer than the dimension I ended up wtih for the driven element. This should at least give me some foward gain. I was able to get the antenna to tune well on on 10 or 15 meters (this was 10 feet off the ground on a mast). If it’s tuned for 10M, it resonates at 17M as well. If it’s tuned for 15M, it resonates at about 30.5mhz. Since we’re at the sunspot minimum and 10 is a dream, I tuned the beam for 15M, that way I can always be on two bands when contesting (using the tribander on 10 or 20 and this new antenna on 15). On the 13th I hope to get the antenna up in the air.
It has become clear that I’m not going to get the tower moved over to a permenant base this year. Say a prayer that the rope guys hold through the winter. Next spring I’ll have to get the base dug and poured. Oh well – like I said, hopefully the rope guys hold up through the winter.
Another project that I’ve decided I’ve got the money for is to install a single point ground where all the coax lines enter the house. I’ve got a 16×16x8 NEMA 4 box on order from Electrical Replacement Parts (an ebay seller). My local distributor wanted about $175, I was able to get one for $110 with shipping. It should arrive in a week. I’ve also ordered 2 polyphaser bulkhead surge supressors, 5 bulkhead so-239 connectors, a bunch of coax jumpers and a K5FD SP12 Surge Protector to put into the box. The box will hold my two RCS8V coax switches as well as all this stuff. The Polyphaser protectors will be in line after the switches. If I had to replace those two switches due to lightning damage, I’d be fine with that. They’re both at least 15 years old.
I’ve also orderd an EZ Hang. I’ve had many hours of frustration getting one end of my 40M diople up. Hopefully with the EZ Hang I can get it up in the top of the tree at around 50 feet instead of at 30 feet where it is now. If I can get it up that high, I plan to install it as an inverted V with the apex up in the tree rather than a flat top like it is now. I hope to get this done on the 13th as well.
Obviously, I’ll have another update after the 13th. Hopefully with some pictures.
Until then,
73 de Al, KE1FO
