I think it is kind of pricey too. Mine hangs loose from the ceiling with a metal wall box around it. Will be moving the shack to new digs soon and will make it more permanent then.

Jim

Or replace the glass in 1 pane of the window with masonite or other thin composite, drill holes for barrel connectors along the outside edge use washers on both sides of the panel. Aluminum sheet would also work, but tends to get pretty cold in the winter. If you move put the saved glass back in.

Jim

Looking at the second link that you listed, they show a plate that would fit several 220V outlets. "3/4- P/N 1304 - Power Single Device.(SSR)" seems to be of an appropriate size to fit a 22V socket.

Jim

If you wanted to take a leisurely drive in the country, would you set out on the freeway during Monday morning rush hour. Then proceed to pull off on the shoulder every few miles to look at the scenery?  Would all those people trying to get to work be violating the law because they wouldn’t let you back on the road?  Would you have them arrested if they honked at you for driving 45 in the left hand lane with a speed limit of 75? Some of you folks sound like you would. The thousands of them are making it difficult for the dozens of you.

Better get used to it. It isn't going away any time soon.

Jim

I want to build a new operating desk and am looking for some ideas. I made a mistake with the first one I built years ago and it ended up in a room that was too small to set it up so that I could walk around the back of everything. Now with 6-10 antenna feedlines, 2-3 HF rigs, amp, several VHF-UHF rigs, a couple of computers, interfaces, monitors, keyboard, mouse, etc. there is a horrible tangle of cabling there behind the desk that I can't easily get to. This summer I plan on setting up a bigger shack with enough space to set my desk up so that I can get to the back of everything. What I am looking for is suggestions for cable management and getting maximum versitility in the 8-10 foot long, ceiling high space I want to build. What have others done? Doors on the back? Trays for cable runs? Shack is in basement so the top of desk will probably fastened to floor joists to keep it in place. What kind of shelving do you use? Any and all suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,
Jim

Notice that all the math in the article is about a plain old folded monopole. Then at the bottom he throws in the "hairpin monopole".  I don't know what one has to do with the other or why he included both in the same article. Build it if you want, but don't expect miracles.

Jim

OK, never mind. I see the pin sockets just come out of the base & then I could pull them off 1 by 1. Neat! Learn something every day if you pay attention.

The pins were pretty snug in there. Is this pretty much they way they are supposed to fit?

Jim

Forgot to mention that the socket is an Eimac SK500.

Jim

I am trying to tear down a HB 4-100A amp so I can see what is in the tank circuit & why it won't load on 80M. What I am having trouble with is how in the heck to get the tube out of the socket! I have had this amp setting around with occasional use for over 10 years and it was far from new when I bought it. Who knows how long that tube has been in that socket. I sure don't want to break that big glass bottle trying to get it out. Does anybody have any words of wisdom here?

Thanks, Jim

A 2m beam might TUNE on 440, but that doesn't mean it will WORK on 440. It certainly would not be a real gain antenna. At least not in the expected direction. Any directivity would probably be off the ends of the DE. But who knows.

A 2m 1/4 wave used on 440 exhibits gain pretty much in the up direction. Not good for mobile work. but it does tune. So does a dummy load.

Jim

OK, with 2 votes I will go with the Handbook. Having never done this before, I didn't want to just dig in with only one reference, without checking to see if the reference was any good. Just from glancing at some of the tables without reading much (a dangerous practice if there evere was one) it does look like there might be way too much inductance built into this old thing on 80. All the other bands look like they might have been taken right out of the same table. Have to tear into it & check values on everything first.

Thanks Alan & Steve. This project might cost me some sleep, but it looks like fun.

Jim

Can anyone point me to a good source of information on tank design? I have an old HB amp that doesn't tune well on 80 meters and I would like to redo the tank circuit. How does one go about setting up, tuning , testing , etc. I am not looking for "This is what I did on my...", I am looking for basic how to go about calculating values for components, etc. Good online sources or books that I could add to the library.

Thanks,
Jim

OK, I stand corrected. The batteries are 3 each #357 watch batteries. Located under the cover on the side of the rig in a funky little holder. (In my defense it has been about 15 years since I replaced them)

Jim

Batteries on the 180 are AA's if memory serves (will check when I get home from work) and are found under cover on the side of the radio.

Jim

I have had some success with the capacitor across the subwoofer input. Mine still acts up when in the "auto-on" mode. But does not emit vulgar noises.

But I will have to say that this is the first complaint of RFI to a talking buck that I have seen here, or anywhere else for that matter.  I would call that pretty unique.

Jim