I have setup several radio stations for amateur operators. Though I am not an amateur radio operator myself, I am slim and not afraid of heights. I will climb the towers and not think twice about it. I also have a good knowledge of antennas, making power supplies, modifying transceivers from other services to operate on the amateur radio bands, and making a lot of improvisations work well together. HF band is the one I setup the least. The equipment is very expensive and there is little equipment that can be converted to HF amateur radio bands, unlike VHF and UHF surplus equipment that can be converted. It is everywhere.
Passed within five miles or so of your house last Fall as we traveled up from FL to visit our son in Belvidere. I was very active for about 20 years when we lived in Aurora. I was N9AKE for most of that time. Rod K4QG
By the way, if I interpreted the QSO correctly, it sounds like the guy you were talking to uses frequencies at 146 MHz as well as 144 MHz. 146 is generally FM operation and 144 is normally "weak signal" or SSB/CW operation. FM antennas are normally vertically polarized (such as your stick, and repeaters) while weak signal is usually horizontally polarized (beams). While it doesn't make a difference which mode one is on or which antenna, there cross polarization can account for about 20 dB loss in signal (both send and receive) That could easily account for the difference in signal strength he was reporting. Although there's no actual rule that says so, the band plan for 2 meters calls for FM above 146 MHz and reserves the lower half for weak signal modes. Nothing messes up a SSB/CW QSO, especially if it's meteor scatter or aurora like a big ol' wide splash of FM.
I'll be up to Fairfield in June. I'm in Florida for the winter K4GEO George, but I will try to catch you on 146.520. when I get there and get set up, 7 3 till then.
Your better off hitting me in advance. shoot me an email if you want to connect at kapper@kapperoutdoors.com and give me a little notice and I'll give you some channels to program in if you want. :)
lol, well its all pretty much the same! Just different carrier waves (CB is AM, Ham can be anything; AM, FM, USB, LSB, CW, data....). I still have my cb stuff as well :)
Sounds like fun but I have more crap around the house, garage, sheds, closets, every dang corner there's something I accumulated. Man, I don't need to get into another hobby and start more accumulating (ha). May sound crazy but if I was still in my 50s, I'd probably give it a whirl but I'm trying to thin out stuff now. Guns, knives, fishing rods, trucks, dogs, ....the list goes on. Hey, you want some stuff? (ha) Get some rest my friend. Say hey to Mrs K.
takes your grounds to ONE point. you don't want to get a ground loop, meaning a length is at a resonate frequency. I have a 10ft grd rod by my tower and brought a #2 THHN wire in with the coax to a ground to ground the equipment
I noticed when you were leveling the tower that you had to install spacers which are fine but normally you put nuts and flat washers on the studs first before you put tower base down that way you can adjust the nuts under the base plate and it gives you an air space to prevent rust from forming under the base. Also the tower is old so all the specs are not correct anymore and the wind loading is going to be much higher than you think so guy wires might be good idea. Also when you have to weld on a galvanized pipe you need to lightly grind off any galvanizing and if all you have is a AC stick then beg , borrow, or steal a DC welder or if nothing else put 3 car batteries in series and put your leads on them an use DC rods believe me you will appreciate the difference. Good luck .by the beautiful picture quality.
Thanks, its a work and learn-in-progress! lol I figured the opposite on the plate adjustment that the washers would keep the platform much stronger as opposed to having nuts under it, whereas the steel bottom plate could shear much easier with just the nuts holding it up. Had 40+mph wind storm the other day!
Have you ever picked up GBTSW at all . They tried to help me get me amateur license 🇬🇧 but I’m dislexic so I failed ... I’d still want GB*** as I’m housebound and miss being able to talk to people. Great vlog sir .
I don't know Windy, I say keep at it!!! You would really enjoy it from the house!!! They have tons of practice exams you can take as many times over and over to help you study. They will also accommodate you if you need someone to read the questions, they do that for the blind and other impaired folks. Keep studying! You can do it!
Kapper I went way back. How is Iron Mike? . Did you tower build up any ice in that ice windstorm? Kapper I recall you and CJ by your computer desk. I know your 6’5? I am 5’11” , but really long legged and my back pain was bad in old computer chair and hated using computer. I thought about your height and back pain and the chair I bought might make all that editing more comfortable. I also bought the large rubber wheels as a extra and so much better, rolls easy on carpet or wood floor, no matt required. Rolls right over oxygen hose and does not smash it or get coiled up with those rubber wheels. Check it out on Amazon. La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall Executive Office Chair with AIR Technology, High Back Ergonomic Lumbar Support, Brown Bonded Leather. It’s hard to pick a chair without sitting in one. Only thing is sit too long your rear might get hot, but if you sat that long you should get up and walk a bit. It arrived the next day from northern Il. Now it’s fun to sit at computer.
I came across your channel and your trespassing video caught my eye. Then I seen you were a ham operator. If you don't mind me asking where did you get your tower? I've been wanting one for years but haven't made the sacrifice. I don't know whether to buy new or get a good used one. I like the way you did the top of it with the antennas. I need to do that with a antron and diamond antenna I have on one end of the house. Right now I have them staggered. I have to take it down to replace the antron because it was hit by lightning a couple years back. I'll have to try to make contact with you one evening. 73s! KB3HAK
I got a great deal on a used tower. If cash is not a big deal maybe get a new one. But you can look around the countryside at homes with towers maybe find one not in use any more and make them an offer. Or put an add in, 'looking for used tower.' Good luck and 73's. thanks.
Are you HF yet. I might have missed that. Antennas are my favorite part. Love to build them. Working on a directional hex beam now. Can’t wait to chat. ‘73. KD9ISO
I'm waiting for a gov't grant to build a great walking bridge there! lol. No, it is just there because the garage had to be so high due to the hillside and someday we might put a landing there :)
We don't use that one as much as our other main stay. Shoot me an email at Kapper@kapperoutdoors.com and I'll give you some info and frequencies. I'd love to catch a viewer on the air!
Mike, same thing, shoot me an email if you want, kapper@kapperoutdoors.com and I'll give you some local towers and the northern ones I can hit right now. That would be cool to meet up on the air!
Wow I remember when my brothers had their ham radio n all , and the Vietnam war was going on and my brothers were always patching ph calls for their families, n all and back then, when my dad got the phone bill, and my brothers would tell my dad awe dad can’t u help the poor soldiers out, and of course, my dad would just shake his head, lol ,
wow that is awesome man. I recall being on ship on a float and I got to call home via a ham station on the ship, that was so cool!!!! Your pops did a great service! Thanks!
Go online and get a study guide and start taking practice exams. There are a lot of sites with practice exams that you can keep taking. Coupled with a study guide it is not that hard, just takes some study time!
@@lrodpeterson3046 When I first got my license I used a borrowed Globe Chief 90A transmitter with ONE 80M crystal and a Hallicrafters SX-99 receiver that I bought out of the local classifieds for $40. I used a 80M inverted-V antenna supported in the center by a pole made from a tree I cut down strapped to a clothsline post. I made a lot of contacts with that old CW rig. Later I upgraded to a Heathkit DX-40 with a Heathkit VF-1 VFO that I bought for $50 at a Ham Fest and thought I was in radio heaven. :-) That old Globe Chief was a bit tricky to tune the final as if you weren't careful the setscrew in the tiny "Tune" knob would give you an RF burn if it came in contact with your finger.
Still dont know about all this? Guess its productive if you have several people to talk with. I'd be afraid the FCC would be listening to everything being said and waiting for something to get you in trouble. Other than that, have fun you guys.
