Hi W3LK, thanks much for replying,

I think you're exactly right on the assembly.  When I bought it used at a yard sale, it was believed to be properly assembled.  The Cushcraft documentation specifies exactly which element goes where.

-- But when I measured the elements and compared the figures with Cushcraft's, the lengths were slightly wrong (unless Cushcraft measures from end to end then subtracts a value)  

-- Another oddity,  the distance between holes is about the same, not spaced according to Cushcraft docs...  

-- It's an approximation to sequence the elements according to Cushcraft docs when some of the elements are exactly the same length.  

-- The passive reflector element is 2 inches too short, so that should probably be first priority - replacing or ahem, "lengthening."

-- I could probably diddle with the placement of the active element, by moving it forward or backward - not the manufacturers intent.

I can get some bolt cutters and re-do the elements properly, but I hesitate to mess with a commercial antenna.  Likewise, I can drill new holes and properly space the elements.

Other things come to mind that I should have done...

-- Like tightening the PL259s with pliers
-- Higher mast
-- Should have tried all directions with the MFJ259
-- Should have checked electrical connectivity with an ohm meter to make sure all elements were electrically connected.
-- My mast U bolts might be too long.

I think if I didn't have the MFJ259, I'd be dead in the water.
73/Jack

Hey, thanks much for the advice; guess I could look him up by address and callsign and phone first.

I looked up the antenna M2 KT 36, it's the $1500 Killer-Tribander
http://www.m2inc.com/products/kt/kt36/
Guess I could speculate it's called "killer" 'cause the element ends look like pitchforks, or maybe it's the top tribander in existance today.  I dunno.

Yeah, if I showed up with a chainsaw, he's got a lot of pitchforks he could throw back  I'll take the best behavior advice.  

Yeah, he put some serious cash into it, plus the tower, plus another beam on top of the Killer Tribander - whew!  

73's

Hi,
Although I don't have a homeowners assn to contend with, I prefer to be discreet with antenna(s).  

Cushcraft A148-10S bought at a yard sale.  I rebuilt the 10 element beam, cleaned corrosion, replaced all nuts bolts, then spray-painted it black after masking off the "electrical" contacts so as not to insulate something important.  Painted the mast dull brown.  

Tuning down the SWR is like trying to stuff hot butter up a wildcat's ass.  I've got it down to about 2.8:1 with 45-55 ohms; gotta take the MFJ 259 back on the roof and spend more time.  Moving the slider is like micro-surgery.  So far, my lowest SWR is about 3/4 inch from the long limit of the slider.  I think if I could tune past the upper limit of the slider, I might find a lower SWR spot for 147 or so.  Earth ground vs. no earth ground made no SWR difference.   Coax loss was about -3.3, better than expected.  

Oh yeah, it will resonate 1:1 at 124 mhz with the slider at about mid point. (bummer).  Maybe I need to take the bolt cutters to the ends of some of the elements.  

It's intended to be 2M only, not dual band, but, SWR on 70 cm was better, about 2.25 : 1

I'm almost tempted to run my RF output through the miracle whip antenna and then to the beam, in order to get some tuning capability at the transceiver end.  

Any tips on tuning a beam will sure be appreciated.

If beams could enter beauty contests, this would be Miss Universe.

Background - Neighbor a few blocks away, stacked beam on a tower.  The lower horizontal beam radials look like minature pitch forks on the ends, or maybe like minature j poles; he's got another beam on top, and a bunch of other antennas around.  

I've been driving by there for several years, and the beam has never turned; always pointed the same dir.  

So, what comes to mind is to knock on the door maybe and tactfully ask if he wants to sell his tower and beams, etc.  On the other hand, I might piss the guy if he infers that I'm being disrespectful. So, I'm  trying to figure out how to ask.

Have any of you other readers run across similiar situations?  

73

Hi,
I've acquired a well used yagi that will need restoration; bolts/nuts are well rusted (no problem replacing), elements are well oxydized (or galvanized).  

The final stage or restoration needs to be applying paint described already.  Do I need to remove the oxydation (by either sanding or using rust removal chemicals) prior to painting?  

The antenna in question is a Cushcraft 17B2 (2Meters) with a missing Ultramatch [balun] T-match box. [Dumb question time] Will any 4:1 or 1:1 balun suffice, or is there something unique about Cushcraft's balun that dictates that I'll need to order the part from Cushcraft?  

Thanks very much!
Jack

Yeah,
Hi John,

Like, take it outdoors, put sandbags all around it, and tie a 50 foot lanyard to the toggle switch.  Maybe some ear protectiton for the initial power up.  
Thx/Jack

Hi KB9CRY,

RE:
> What is the goal or use of each antenna on each band?

Good point, and thank you.  The ability to accomplish the most difficult task,
which I [correctly or incorrectly] assume to be DX,
better than other types of antennas would seem to be the appropriate criteria.

"Best all round" type of antenna might be a better query, "What type of antenna is considered the 'best all round' antenna for each band (where land and restrictions are not an issue)?

Correct me if I'm wrong, it would seem that the antenna that can best exploit unlimited terrain with no restrictions would be the best; like maybe a half wave dipole for 160 meters!  Maybe a full wave vertical for bands that do well with vertical polarization might be considered best.  Maybe anything that can do full wave is preferred.  

Or, if I wanted to go full wave vertical at 160 Meters, I'm looking at around 500 ft, and FAA airspace violation issues.  

Thanks again for replying,
73's/Jack

Hi KF7CG,
Thanks much for the detailed info.  

FWIW, I've heard the Blackberry referred to as a Crackberry
- the user becomes addicted to his work email.

Personally, I would never own one for myself; I use the one I use because my employer requires it.  

Thanks again,
73/Jack

Hi, I much appreciate the replies and insights.

Of course I won't go anywhere near a kilowatt; the goal is to legally and properly go from QRP to "above QRP," and to enjoy building it.  I anticipate having access to a spectrum analyzer before I even start the project, along with the training on how to operate it for certain things.  

I've been told that spectrum analyzers are great from finding out what stray signals are in a neighborhood to finding out the SPF of suntan lotion.  

Short of that, I don't have an oscilliscope, but do have a frequency counter, multimeter, and an MFJ antenna analyzer on the way.  

Again, thanks much for replying.
73's

Hi,

Assuming:  Law abiding Ham builds a homebrew Linear Amp, using:

-- A schematic from a reputable source
-- Does not exceed building 1 per year
-- Uses all new parts from a reputable source
-- Includes the bandpass filtering required by the schematic

Upon completion, he or she wants to ensure that there are no harmonics, no RFI, no out of band or adjacent band signals, and no misbehaviors prior to placing the linear into service.  

What should his testing checklist include?
What test instruments should he have on hand?
What potential problem areas should he concentrate on (ie. nearby TV set, or something else)?

Appreciate your comments,
73s
Jack

Hi KAISERSOUSE, appreciate your reply.  I have a Samsung cell phone that does not spew out RFI, so, perhaps that proves that there are prevention measures that the Blackberry developers failed to consider.  

I've seen the blackberry jam out PC computer audio, and  PA systems where the PA amp and speakers were at least 20 feet away.  

And this problem goes on and on and on with no FCC intervention.  Is the blackberry manufacturer above the law?  It would sure seem so. If I were to spew out RFI, get warned, and continue as a habitual violator, then I'll have to endure the consequences.  


73,
Jack

Hi Jackie,

CONGRATULATIONS on upgrading to Gen. Class!

I think that BHI, the makes of The Radio Mate, should provide a right angle Mini-Din 8 connector instead of the one they provide.  

73,
Jack

Hi, many thanks for replies.  

I should have clarified better to ask for The Perfect Antenna.  I truely don't know the answers, so I'm not trolling or anything by asking.

In asking, I refer to the radiating element and the RF ground elements,  and not the construction materials or structure that it will ultimately rest on.

So, please allow me to ask more specifically.  What is "The Perfect type of antenna" for each ham band (preferably, without the need for a tuner or baluns)?  

What criteria defines a "perfect antenna?"  DB Gain comes to mind, as does overall efficiency. Maybe the results of an antenna analyzer define the perfect antenna for each band.  

Example, What type of antenna is "The Perfect Antenna" for the 40M band?  
-- Doublet?
-- Long Wire?
-- Cubical Quad?
-- Beam?
-- Half wave Dipole?
-- Miracle whip (as a type of antenna)?
-- Carolina Wyndom?
-- Loop?
-- Quarter wave vertical?

70cm Example: What's The Perfect Antenna for the 70cm band?
-- Gnd Plane?
-- J Pole?
-- Yagi?
-- Rollup J Pole?

Why do I ask?  

-- Your expertise
-- The Perfect Antenna could be construed as a goal to work toward
-- Narrow antenna decisions to the best type

Hi,

With flat terrain, no obstructions, unlimited space, and no homeowners association, what is considered _the_ perfect [type of] antenna for HF, for VHF, and for UHF? Maybe "optimum" is a better term.  

73's Jack

Hi WA9SVD.

RE:
> If you do NOT posess a license issued by the FCC, posession
> (particularly for Class "D" CB frequency capable equipment)
> could be considered "de facto" use by the FCC,
> whether the equipment is actually connected or not.

Interesting.  So, does this interpret to mean that if such a linear amp is possessed by an unlicensed individual, that such an individual is in possession of "contraband?"  (where the linear becomes contraband if wrongfully possessed)

Have any cases of "possession of" or "unauthorized possession of"  such linears gone to trial (or before a federal magistrate)?  If so what were the judgements or verdicts rendered?  

73s