My NC-50 stopped working after the radio that was in the charger at the time went in the transmit mode for a second or two. I checked the internal fuse and it was ok. I don't have the schematic or owners manual. Could someone please email me these items?? I like this charger and would like to repair it. I'll pay the postage!!

Colin
N4ZFQ

Nice dialog guys. I'll head to Lowes for some roofing tar and sleep easier at night.

My roof pitch is 12-12 so standing water is not an issue.

Thanks for the input.

I plan to mount a tripod to the roof of my Cape Cod for a V-U antenna stack. I have added the needed extra framing to the trusses under where it will sit. My question is: Will the shingle material leak at the point where the lag bolts will penetrate without some type of sealer? I've been told by a roofing contractor that no sealer is needed, but I'm still not convinced yet. Does anyone have any experience with this project??

thanks for the input guys, I just built a new house and was looking for a short term fix until the tower goes back up. My structure is a metal covered pole barn. I'm thinking a tri-pod and a short mast will do the trick.

colin

My mobile HF days few and far between. I don't even have an HF radio in a vehicle now. The screwdriver is such a great thing that I hate to leave it in the corner collecting dust. Has anyone ever mounted a mobile screwdriver on a structure permanently and had good luck with it??? Please share your experiences with me.

Thanks........

Colin

Dana,

 Please keep in mind that towers are great things but safety must be your top priority!!! If you are not sure about something, ASK. You may save your own life.
 If you purchase a crank up tower, remember to lower it to it's lowest point before climbing. This is true with any structure that can be raised and lowered. One more point. When working on a tower, the man in the air is in charge. It's his butt hanging in the air and you don't need a large crew of know-it-alls on the ground trying to run things that effect the mans safety on the tower. You can accomplish more with less help. Trust me, I've been there. When someone starts yanking on a guy wire on the ground and you are 150' up on the tower, who do you think feels the most movement??? Get the point. Select your crew carefully.

Good luck and enjoy your project.

Colin   N4ZFQ
Ft. Defiance Va.

This is a simple task. Rohn offers a mount that clamps to the tower leg. It is shaped like the letter "I". It has angle iron at one end and 1 1/4 pipe at the other with a short peice of pipe in between. You clamp the ount to the tower leg with hose claps or U-bolts. The rotor clamps to the pipe. once all of this is assembled, insert the mast down through the tower into the rotor top and center everything. Once centered, tighten all hardware and your finished.
 I have used this mount many times and it works well. I don't know how much they cost because I have made all of the ones I have installed. Mounting the rotor to the top of the mast tube is not recommended due to stress issues on these light duty rotors.

Colin    N4ZFQ
Ft. Defiance Va.

I think everyone is missing the point. These guys don't want to get their ham tickets. They are looking for some vhf radios like you see in the catalogs on the green and red dot frequencies. There is no longer a license requirement for these frequencies. You can buy surplus programable mobiles on the vhf band at hamfests now for 50.00 bucks if you shop well. I recommend that you check the power limits first before you transmit with such mobile radios to keep from breaking any FCC regulations. Let me know if i'm on the right track here. I would encourage you guys to get a ham ticket, but if you are not interested, then this is the next best route to travel.

Colin   N4zfq  

Steve, This may sound funny but you may consider changing your mast diameter to match whatever hardware you can find to solve your problem. I mean, find the hardware you need, whether you need to homebrew it or purchase, then get new mast to match the hardware. Try an industrial bearing supplier. You may find something here in the form of a light duty thrust bearing that can be modified for your use. 73.......Colin   N4ZFQ

Josh, fix your email address. I've tried to send you something and your address is not valid.

Colin

I have been using a screwdriver antenna on my suburban now for 6 months. The performance is fantastic. I get good reports and I'm being heard. The problem is that I am a danger to the driving public when I have to tune the antenna. I have since stopped tuning while driving but I am curious about these memory units on the market now. I can read but it's not the same as talking to someone that has used the product. I'm interested in how accurate it is and if they remain consistant over time. Any comments can be emailed to N4ZFQ@ARRL.NET

I am curious to know what the hang-ups are about drilling holes in a vehicle are?? I find it strange that when SOME folks get a ham license, they spend more time figuring out how to not enjoy the hobby than if they would just do the obvious and not worry so much about it. Go ask a car dealer if a hole in the roof of a car or truck decreases the value and see what they say.
 Life's too short, drill the stupid hole and enjoy the performance of a properly installed antenna and give your nerves a break.

First, what kind of vehicle do you have??? Second, why a mag mount for hf anyway?? Give us more information so we can help you!!! You can make anything as long as you keep an open mind. If you have a pick-up, you have several options available. If you have a car, you still have some options to work with. Trailer hitches make excellent antenna supports. They make mounts that go in your truck beds stake pocket. NO HOLES REQUIRED!!! On a car, MFJ makes a lip mount that will work on your trunk lid or a rear hatch of a mini van or SUV. Get the picture?
 Use the internet to your advantage.

Good luck and 73