My Antennas
By Bob Wexelbaum, W2ILP
Before
I talk about my dipole antennas, I have to explain some recent before and after
work in my back yard. My back yard is
and was a terminal place for not only utilities which serve me, but for diagonal
lines that serve my neighbors. This has
always posed a problem for the instalation of antennas. There are wires cutting across my back yard
for power, cable TV/ISP, and telephone.
The telephone lines were underground when I moved to
JULY 2007 VOL. 80 , NO. 7 CIR
120
I want to warn you that you should
never buy the big metal pullies that are in Home Depot. I have gotten pullies in the past from marine
supply stores and they are best for any outside use, as they are mechanically superior
and designed for all weather use, even in salt spray conditions. Unfortunately I couldn’t find my good pullies
and bought the ones from Home Depot in a rush to get them, as well as eye
screws and links, before the tree workers arrived.
Now for some history. When I first moved to
This finally reached a point where I
asked myself if keeping the tower meant more than being a good neighbor. What is the use of making friends in in other
states or foreign nations when you may make enemies in your own
neighborhood? So I had my younger son
take down the tower, because he is not
afraid of heights. I took pictures of
him on top of the tower removing what was left of the beam as well as the
rotator. Without the weight of the
antenna and rotator it was easy to guide down the tower, using a winch that I
had bought by this time. It is all
documented. My oldest son, who lives on
I don’t think any mechanical
advantage short of a WMD could remove the pedestal. I once considered building a brick barbeque
oven over it to prevent it from denting lawn mower blades..
The week after my son took down my
tower.. my neighbor chopped down his poplar tree. My XYL had complained to his XYL that the cloud
reaching poplar, which was growing higher than Jack’s beanstalk, might fall on
our house in a storm. The poplar arbolist
neighbor has since moved to
I now have the driven element of a
Mosley tri-band beam in my atic and feed it from my IC-706. I have managed to make DX QSOs using digital
modes with it. Surprisingly I have made
QSOs with stations in Europe and
Obviously
I can’t rotate my house. I am not very active on HF now, except for trying to
work the 40 Meter WAG net with my east-west favoring 40 meter straight diopole when the tree leaves
are dry, and experimenting with digital modes.
I don’t know if the center tree removal will be of much help but I will
try if I can wake up early enough on Sunday mornings for the 40 Meter Wag net.. Until then you can work me at [email protected] . As reported priviously, I have worked
GARC FIELD DAY 2007
I was at the FD site early Saturday and Sunday. The site was
the old picnic area of what is left of McKay Field. This area was more than adequete and better
than the site used dureing the last three years. I was expecting a good turn out because the
weather was excellent. Perhaps that is
why some folks found better ways to enjoy the good weather elsewhere. I suspect that this FD we scored lower than
any other I had attended. A list of
those hams who signed the sign-in board included: KE2LJ, W2DKM, N2NTD, WB2PUE,
WA2PYK, N2SFT, K2IFB, KC2OPX, N2XOB, AB2EF, W2ZZE, KADZR and W2ILP. I learned that KB2UB and AB2NT, who helped
set up on Friday, missed signing in. If
I missed anyone else let me know. We
were visited by our ARRL EC, Tom Carrubba Ka2D and his assistant, KA2DZR. I’ll let Pat say more about FD 2007:
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
BY
KE2LJ
We have three things to
discuss this month; Field Day, the 146.745 situation, and my
trials/tribulations in
As for the repeater, we have it all set up in
our trailer by plant 14. The small antenna is mounted on the roof. We have coax
running up to it, and connected. The repeater operates, but the signal is very
low. We’re discussing a plan to put the amplifier back online. We also seem to
have some interference from another repeater on that frequency. I have sent an
email to the Coordinating body, MetroCor, but they haven’t responded yet. I
have tried to notify the owner to vacate that frequency, but his posted email
address is not valid. I’m trying to get his real home address. If this doesn’t
work, we notify the FCC. Meanwhile, let’s try to hold our Thursday night net on
there at 8:30 like we have done for decades.
My house closing is roughly
scheduled for 7/18. On 7/1 we took another truckload of stuff to our
Hope to see you at the meeting on 7/18 if I
can make it.-pat KE2LJ
GRUMMAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING -6/20/07
Secretary, Karen KC2OPX
The
meeting was called to order by Pat at
TREASURERS REPORT – Ed, WB2EAV REPEATER REPORT – Gordon, KB2UB
Finances
continue to be in good shape. The
Four
more members paid dues. We’re waiting
for safety people, an electrician,
and facilities group. We have to
move the duplexer
and then the repeater will be ready.
VE REPORT – Bob, W2ILP NET REPORT- Zack, WB2PUE
6 applicants applied.
3 passed General exam,
Propagation was so poor on Sunday morning that
1 passed the Technician exam, 2 failed. stations were doubling and
NY stations couldn’t .
4 VEs were present: KC2OPX, AB2EF, AB2NT, hear
and W2ILP.. .
OLD
BUSINESS:
Discussing
the continuation of this Newsletter when Pat retires and we can no longer get
newsletters reproduced at Grumman. We
will either need to find a company to reproduce the newsletter or use a web
site to send it to members who have internet access, or both.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Discussing
preparations for Field Day, which is on the following weekend.
PROGRAM
Plans
for Field Day were the topic of this meeting.
A two tent, two station set up was planned. This required the installation of two poles
on Friday night. at
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM.
GARC NETS:
40 Meters:
7.289 MHz at 7:30 AM EST Sundays.
2 Meters
(via repeaters): 146.745 MHz (-.600)at
145.330 MHz (- .600) at
[Tone for
both repeaters is 136.5 Hz]
(ARES/RACES) Mondays
MEETINGS
General Meetings of the GARC
are held on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at
GARC WEB SITE
The web site of the GARC can be found at http://www.qsl.net/wa2lqo/ Webmaster is Pat Masterson KE2LJ. Pictures of GARC activities, archives of
newsletters, roster of members, and other information about the GARC may be
found there including Field Day pictures.
INTERNET LINK OF THE MONTH FOR
INTERNERDS
It is a small world for
people who are hams. I want to introduce
you to a web site that is loaded with streaming videos of interest to
hams. It has lots of stuff that could be
used as presentations at our club at meetings when we have no live
speakers. Included in downloadable
videos is a trip to a digitally run multiple broadcasting station. There are photography tips and ham project
tips. There is also video coverage of
the Dayton HamVention and a HamVention in
There is a lot of footage (in
the form of episodes) at this site, so get out your popcorn and enjoy!
PUZZLE
Here is another cryptogram. This should be easy.
AIW
AOJJC KNAIW KRQF
QFI FNUI QFIC
KRSS WIPIJ VFOWBI.
KNAIW AOJJC AIW
KRQF
QFI FNUI QFIC
KRSS VFOWBI . RWPOJROMSC
QFIC OJI MNQF
YRGOUUNRWQIY.
---OSMIJQ IRWGQIRW---
Solution to the June Cryptogram:-
THE
EMBARRASSING THING IS THAT MY SALAD DRESSING IS OUTSELLING MY FILMS.
--PAUL
NEWMAN--
The embarrassing thing is that two extra
letters crept into Newman.
GARC VE SESSIONS We
are continuing to proctor exams for all classes of ham licenses on the second
Tuesday of each month starting at The present
exams are: Element 2:
Technician Element 3:
General Element 4:
Amateur Extra Class. The fee for
2007 is $14 for all exams taken at one sitting. Applicants
for upgrades should bring a photocopy of their license and any CSCE and their
FRN number. New, first
time applicants should be aware that their Social Security number will be
required on their application form. All applicants should bring driver’s license
or other picture ID. Until
further notice, VE exams will be at Room: Briarcliffe
in All
applicants should contact W2ILP to preregister so as to confirm location. If no applicants apply, exam sessions may
be cancelled. For any information
e-mail: - [email protected]
or phone: - (631)
499-2214 Study
material information is available at the http://www.arrl.org or the http://www.w5yi.org web site. All VECs use
the same Q & A pools. Since the
beginning of the VE program the GARC has provided opportunities to take ham
exams monthly, during all twelve months of every year. Bob
Wexelbaum, W2ILP and
the Grumman VE team. |
CQ de WA2LQO VOL.
80, NO. 7 EDITOR Bob Wexelbaum W2ILP (631) 499-2214 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PAT MASTERSON, KE2LJ And all the members of GARC (we hope!) CQ de WA2LQO is published monthly by
the Grumman Amateur Radio Club for its members and friends. Send articles
and amateur equipment advertisements to: KE2LJ or W2ILP ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS If you want to
submit articles or amateur equipment ads via e-mail do the following: 1. For
submission direct to editor call him at above number to set up a transfer. 2. For e-mail
transfer: Internet Address On the first page of “Newsday”, A two page article on this subject is headed by:-
“NOTHING IS FOREVER- Navy’s pride for three decades, Grumman F-14s being shredded
for security”. Although I
didn’t work on the F-14s (I spent most of my time on the EA-6Bs) I did see them being built in the
hangers, and even sat in an F-14 cockpit once (after removing all foreign
objects from my pockets). The F-14
was more than just a “Top Gun” jet fighter to all of us Grummies…and so I
write about it here with sadness… almost as I would about a human silent
key. I can only agree with the
quote by Dan Polofsky 74, who worked for Grumman for 40 years, writing
software for the F-14. “Nothing is
forever, including me”, said Polofsky, “Someday they’ll shred me”. I am also 74
years old, so I know how he feels.
Yes… Nothing is forever…but some things may fade away slower than
others. 73, Bob w2ilp (I Like Philosophers) GRUMMAN
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB OFFICERS FOR 2007 President Pat Masterson KE2LJ V01-01 516-346-7125 Vice President Gordon
Sammis KB2UB Retiree 631-666-7463 Secretary Karen
Cefalo KC2OPX 631-754-0974 2Yr Board Member
Zack Zilavy WB2PUE Retiree 631-667-4628 2Yr Board Member
Bob Christen W2FPF 1Yr Board Member
Bob Wexelbaum W2ILP Retiree 631-499-2214 1Yr Board Member
Jack Cottrell WA2PYK
Retiree 516-249-0979 Trustee
WA2LQO Ray Schubnel W2DKM Retiree STANDING
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Meeting
Programs Contact a Board Member FCC
Exam Coord. Bob Wexelbaum W2ILP
631-499-2214
EDITORIAL
Treasurer Ed Gellender WB2EAV X02-14 516-575-0013
2YrBoard Member Dave Ledo AB2EF
20 Years Ago- “CQ DE WA2LQO” –
July & Aug 1987 Vol. 59 N0.1&2 CIRC 407
The
July meeting was a recap of Field Day. The August meeting was set to be at the
Pink Panther picnic, which was one week earlier than usual. Members of the
Sperry Amateur Radio Club were also invited to the picnic.
Ken
Fitch, KC2DH told how the GARC did a good job on FD, which was better than the
previous year. Hank W2ZZE had found the power
cables just in time for FD, when it was believed that they had been lost. Ray, W2DKM tallied up the result:. Over 800 CW contacts and 650 phone contacts,
plus bonus points for the FD message, QSO with an Armed Forces station,
publicity, etc. There was a Novice
station operated by Glenn, WB2QDS and Jim, WB2QDT. It used a generator provided by John, W2MFN
and racked up additional points. Bert,
K2DOD supplied two tube type rigs. It
was then believed that tube rigs were best for FD because they didn’t overload
from nearby stations. Abe, W2BLH
provided a Ten-Tech rig. Fred, N2GCW was FD coordinator. Jack, WA2PYK and Virginia Stone ran the
culinary area. It was reported sadly
that Bill Leiber, W2EFL became a silent key in June. Jack, AD4N provided an updated net schedule
page. An article from WorldRadio, Dec.
1966 showed how to make several Quickie antennas and supports.. Included were a 2 meter “Tape-tenna”, a
drooping ground plane antenna, and a low cost mobile mast. There was a list of
all those who were at FDs in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. The list was made from the sign in boards at
each FD and might not have included everyone.
I’ll include it in the next newsletter.
Because of vacation schedules the July and August 1987 newsletter was a
combined issue.