Up the side of the house today, removing the remains of the wind shattered 2m slim jim, and salvaging its coax. Luckily, the rain hasnt got into the coax, so that can be rerouted up the rear of the house and into the loft, where i can then use it as a test bed for smaller, short term antennas, with a dipole orientation N-S (so a chance to work the African continent on the higher HF bands!)
Anyone who knows me will know i have no fear of hights, but i hate ladders!
Ive already made an 80m inverted V for use with the 10m mast, plus a 10m J-pole. However, with the new year started and the offer of the SES for the Doncaster Show in september, somewhat more radical, practical and portable antennas are now needed! Apart from 2m FM (the mainstay of town SES'es) such a 2 day event calls for HF, and a selection of bands to cover eventuallities. Ideally of course, i'd be able to use any band, but that would call for a compromise of the G5RV type, and two masts, at least. This may be possible using mine AND G7PZLs 5.4m clansman masts, but it wouldnt be very high. So, a fan dipole/maypole design based on the 10m telescopic mast is needed. The question is - which bands?
In the past, ive found 80m to be a prerequestite for SES. So which others? 40 and 20? What about 15, 12, and 10m? Topband is out on the practicallity side, and 30m isnt needed as this will be a phone op.
Im going to test a few ideas out tomorrow based on the clansman 5.4m mast, at the very least to verify that it will take the 2m vertical without any issues!
On the operating side recently, not much! However, yesterday i was very pleased with my little tune around on 17m whilst taking a break from gardening. Heard VP8LP Bob, calling CQ, no replies, so thinks i, grab him if i can before the EU zoo arrives! So, i called him, little realising i was set to 10w. Anyway, to my immense amazement, he replies! I quickly hit the button to go to 100w, as 10 just wasnt going to be reliable, and instead hit the AM/FM button. A good few seconds later i was back in control, and Bobs phone is ringing! I QRX, he returns and we have a pleasent natter for a few minutes. I give my 73 as i need to crack on with the veg plots, but Bob asks if i'd like to work another VP8 before i go? (Having been after the Falklands ever since i got HF, then its a moot question!), turns out Zorro VP8DNT is visiting Bob, they quickly change over, and ive got two VP8s logged in 10mins!
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