Lost all my contacts / bookmarks when I switched computers.

I'm looking for a specialist in the restoration of R-390A's; someone who can turnaround a rig in months. I'm open to anybody who has an established  track record in this field.

Thanks & 73!

N9LCD

WN2C:

My constraints are:

COST: the antenna, required hardware, masts, guys, etc.  The gutters are paid for.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY: staying away from the power lines at the southwest corner of the house.  I don't want an antenna that parallels power lines into the house (line noise) or that power lines can fall on.

PERSONAL SAFETY:  working on the roof.  The XYL doesn't want me breaking something  if I fall off the roof.

THE QTH:  avoiding problems caused by drilling into the roof.

THE ATTIC:  really a crawl space -- height at highest point, about 4 FEET.  Fiberglass insulation between ceiling joists(?) may have aluminum foil backing.

RETIREMENT:  no antenna to take down and sell (or give away) if this venture doesn't pan out.

73

N9LCD

 
 

I've gutters on  about decided to use the rain gutters on our house for my first HF antenna.  Yeah, there are better antennas - whatever is your favorite and works for you.  BUT the gutters would save the cost of an antenna, supporting mast(s), guys, etc. and the joys (hi, hi) of installing an antenna.

Our house is approximately 25 feet wide by 45 feet long, with an east-west orientation.  My general plan is:  bond the gutters for electrical continuity at the southeast and northeast corners; electrically isolate the gutters facing west; electrically isolate the downspouts for safety reasons; and feed the gutters/antenna with a high voltage wire from a wide range tuner.

The gutters are approximately 12 to 15 feet above the ground.

I know I'll never get 6-band DXCC, WAS and WAZ, but, after 20 years on VHF and UHF, I want to get on HF and the "gutter antenna" meets the constraints I face.

QUESTIONS:

Does anybody have any experience using their rain gutters as a HF antenna?

Any guidance for the planning & implementation processes? 

What could I expect from a transmitting & receiving standpoint running 100 - 150 watts output?

What kind of a pattern could my "gutter antenna" have?

Thanks & 73!


N9LCD

I respectfully disagree with AA4PB.

The president (and board members) of a club or, for that matter, any non-profit (charitable) organization are ultimately responsible to a higher authority, THE COURTS, if matters get really out of hand.

If the membership is wrong on some matter, like underage drinking, smoking in prohibited areas, overcrowding, etc. then, if the president has any guts, he or she has to go against the members or QUIT!

Shape-up, or I ship out!

N9LCD



 

Took my 22-foot extension ladder to an antenna party last Sunday -- helped take down the old analog outdoors TV antenna for a retired couple that finally went cable.

While bundling-up the old RG-6 type coax, I noticed something -- NO LIGHTNING PROTECTION.  I asked around.  None of my fellow "party goers" could recall anybody in the 'hood having lightning damage.  Wind damage, yes.  Lightning damage, NO.

I'm trying to plan lightning protection for my upcoming installation project knowing that my neighbor doesn't have any lightning protection on his outdoor TV antenna and. over the last 15  years, hasn't had any lightning damage to his TV's.

QUESTIONS:

Are ham-band antennas more prone to attract lightning than a TV antenna at the same height?

Is ham gear. both hollow- and solid-state more prone to lightning and other collateral damage than consumer electronics?

N9LCD

      

Now that the Nigerian fraud squad apparently has been "chased" off the internet, they've taken to cell phones.  Get a load of this one:

"mobile1winner11@gmail.com // Your Mobile No Has Won ?750,000.00/Contact Dr.John Mbeki With / REF:/7417152
Email:supperrlotto649@gmail.com
Tel:+447045758316"

If this ain't a scam, then I don't know what it is.

And to top it off, I get charged by my carrier for receiving a text message!!!!

FECES!

N9LCD

Thank-you to all the hams who took time to reply.  W8JI's article ranks up there at the top for presentation and communication.  I have some literature coming from Polyphaser.

Since there won't be any rotators, mast-mounted preamps or remote antenna tuners, my first concern will be protecting the coax coming into the shack.

Is the present level of protection on the power and phone lines adequate protection?  We're looking at two pieces of gear that won't be interconnected or won't interface to the phone lines. 

I've always unplugged all gear at night.  Is unplugging the power and disconnecting the antennas enough protection with lightning protection on the incoming coax?

Thanks & 73!

N9LCD

We moved in to our new house about a month ago and I'm hard at work -- planning antenna installations.

I tried installing an antenna it our old house.  Studied he League manuals.  Lots of theory and what SHOULD BE done.   I tried "helpful" ham from my radio club.  "Lightning protection?  Why do you need that?  I don't have any."  Talked to commercial lightning protection specialists.  "We're fully bonded and insured; we do everything to NEC standards or better.  Oh, yeah!  Maybe about five thou..."

I'm planning for a VHF-UHF discone antenna and a terminated folded dipole for HF.  Please, no questioning my choice of antennas.

Given that a "direct hit" by lightning probably will wipe-out my lightning protection and my gear,  what can be done for practical and reasonable lightning protection?

N9LCD     

Pete:

I've had a number of 390A's but I can't recall one with a 6020-A.  The only 9-pin tubes were the 5814A & the two rectifiers.  Maybe somebody "substituted" on you.  Which tube is it?  Where is it on the chassis or in the circuits.

Jerry

N9LCD

PS:  If you need shields for the 390A, try Fair Radio Sales in Lima, Ohio.  419-227-6573

Went to the local Shack a couple od days ago to get a 12-foot RG-6/U cable to hook-up our new cable box.

The cable:  $15.99

A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY FOR THE CABLE, a $1.49!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe they're running out of people to fool!

N9LCD

The bulbs come two to a pack.  The price was about $8.00 at West Marine in Chicago.

You might be able to find other brands of 12-volt bulbs.  I used to have a 100-watt G.E. bulb in a "work light" for changing tires at night.

73!

N9LCD

I had a problem with a HP linear power supply; the output voltage under load would shoot-up to about 22 Volts.  I was in danger of cremating my IC-271A.

I hit upon using 12 Volt light bulbs as the dummy load.  I found 12 volt, 50 watt light bulbs by Ancor at a local marine supply house.  The bulbs are rated at 4.17 "design" amps and screw into a standard light bulb socket.

Besides being a good dummy load, the bulbs are good for a work light for your vehicle or lighting for nocturnal field day or EmComm operations.

N9LCD     

You can also cash a check, money order, etc. at any office of the bank that it's drawn on.  This isn't a problem if you're dealing with Citi Bank, Chase, TCF, PNC, Fifth-Third, or a large bank in your area.

I sold a rig earlier and took a check drawn on Chase from my buyer out in the Rockies.  Went to the nearest Chase branch to cash the check before shipping it.  Sure, there's a fee but it's worth it.  I found out that there were problems with my buyer's account, so I didn't pay the fee.

I didn't ship the rig until I got another check and until Chase cashed it!

N9LCD

Eric, use the phone for questions.  That should give you a good idea of the kind of seller you're dealing with.

N9LCD

Check the manual or schematic and see what are the conditions for voltage and resistance measurements.

Most "hollow state" gear requires a high impedance VTVM.  A VOM or DVM can load a circuit and give "false" low voltages.

Check the tolerance of resistors and other components with ohmic resistance.  You won't have 1% voltage tolerance with resistors having 20% tolerance.

Check the specified settings for "Gain", "Drive" and other variable controls.  Then check the controls themselves to make sure there's no "hot" spots or :Dead" spots

Some you'll never figure out!  I had a URM-25D signal generator.  On low one band the oscillator would completely drop-out at about 245 KHz.  A royal pain when you need 262.5 KHz for an alinement.  Checked all voltages and resistances. 
Swapped-out  signal path tubes.  Checked external accessories and connections.  NADA!

Another ham finally sent me the oscillator from his junk box and said "Try this".. I did and it worked.

But I never found out why the first coil wouldn't oscillate over the middle of its range!

N9LCD