OFF TOPIC

After very carefully tuning both the vertically polarized four element moxon and the horizontally polarized seven element broadband beam, I installed them onto the stub mast and mounted them on the main mast through the thrust bearing and into the rotator.

The mast was cranked back up to full height and the antennas were tested. [...]

My recent experience with the Drake TR3 brings to mind some less fortunate experiences.

I have always regretted selling my old, unwanted radios. I never sold anything that was not in prefect operational condition. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for stuff I have purchased.

This includes stuff purchased from dealers.

In general, hams dont [...]

I dont need a new radio but sometimes it is nearly impossible to ignore a good deal. The TR3 was advertized as a parts radio. The asking price was $25 and the seller was local. No shipping. I could go pick it up.

So I did.

Parts radios dont work. Moreover, some [...]

I recently sanded and painted my auxilliary tilt over mast. This started out as my first and original tilt over mast about 30 years ago. Yeah, we have been in the same place for over 30 years! We like it here.

The original mast became an auxilliary when the neighbors tree got [...]

I found this on the internet. ZZ Wave Net. This is a dual band loop antenna covering 80 and 40 meters.

I have been using a horizontal loop at 30 feet for over a year now and also have experience with a 40 meter delta loop. The 40 meter delta loop was an [...]

The big beam has been freewheeling for nearly a month. I finally cranked the thing down and took a look. Feedling is broken and the rotator sounds like it has marbles rolling around inside it.

The rotator is an Alliance HD-73. I had always thought it was much better than the CDE AR-22 [...]

The Moxon antenna is a compact two element beam antenna with amazing specifications. Free space performance claims about 6db forward gain with around 35db front to back rejection. The antenna can be built from aluminum tubing like conventional yagis but it also easily made from wire and bamboo spreaders similar to quad construction. [...]

Next to Collins, Drake is probably the better of the old boatanchor rigs. Not better than Collins, just better than anything other than Collins.

One of the more annoying aspects of using older tube type equipment is maintenance. The equipment rarely needs maintenance but when it does good parts are difficult to find.

A dead [...]