Has anyone tried using LED strips to replace a busted bulb particularly on Hy-gain control boxes?  These are commonly used to replace bulba on Ameritron amps and runa off DC.  Mine is busted and pkan to replace it with LED strips that I have. Tnx

Ernie, AD5MD

I am planning to install some sort of a quick-disconnect connector on the rotor wire.  Any suggestions where to get one? What particular part model.number?  Rotor by the way is a Ham IV  Tnx

Ernie, AD5MD

I have a hex beam antenna mounted on a  20ft push-up mast (rotor at the bottom)  side mounted on a 4x4 wood post cemented to the ground that is supported in 2 levels, 4 sides. The top most is guyed with Phillystran HPTG-1200I and the middle level with a 3/16 Dacron rope. 

With the high winds that we get here in South TX during hurricane season I plan to move the 1200I to the middle level and guy the top with the 2100I to provide more stability.  I know that guy grips are recommended but will it be fine to use just a regular galvanized wire clip and thimble on the 2100?  And yes, it is tensioned using a turnbuckle hooked up to an anchor cemented 24" deep.

Some say the 2100I will be overkill and replacing the middle level guy with another 1200I will suffice.  Any comments?  Tnx

Ernie

Dan,

I've been reading about the pancake and so far I'm not totally convinced about it.  It just came as a thought of an alternative antenna.  Incidentally, the link that you posted is from a friend from DU where I'm originally from, hi.

The noise is I'd say between S6 to S8 at night and right now (0338 CST) it is at S5 but I don't hear anyone at this time, must be the propagation.  I've worked stations from HA, LZ, I, SM, PY on both ssb and cw though so not really that frustrating, hi.  It could just be the propagation I suppose?  Oh well, I still have a spool of 250ft of aluminum electric fence wire here so maybe I'll gamble and try to lay down some more radials.  Tnx

Ernie

Making more researches now I am planning on just home brewing a pancake antenna and install it at 20ft on the same spot where the vertical is.  If that works, the vertical will be either up for sale or kept for future use.

Don,

That makes sense but unfortunately I won't be able to move the vertical from its present location.  The remaining space in the backyard will be used soon so moving and taking it out later will be useless.  I guess adding more radials and see what the difference will be would be most I could do at the moment.  Otherwise I'll just wait 'til I put up a free standing tower and string a dipole.  Tnx very much

I answered a question hoping to receive a remedy or solution. Thank you

The upper right corner of the space is occuPied by a hex beam antenna

more or less 40ft x 20ft.  Here is how the antenna is mounted:

                                                    Fence
                                  -----------------------------------
                                  '                                            '         
                                  '                                            '
                                  '                                            '
                                  '                     X                     '
                                  -----------------------------------
                                              Side of the house
                                                 "X" - Antenna

Looking at the above you will notice that I don't have any space to lay the radials at the back of the antenna (mounted approx 5ft from the house wall) so I only have the radials towards the fence and diagonally to the sides.  At present I only have 20 radial wires.  Tnx

At present I only have 20 radial wires cut randomly because of space limitations.  I have just bought some more wires and will try to add at least 15-20 more which I will try to squeeze in to the available space.  Thanks for the input guys, I've used beams since the mid 80s so I'm familiar with it but not with verticals.  I appreciate all the info/help I've been reading. 

Ernie, AD5MD

I have installed a 33ft 40m mono band vertical and with the mediocre radial/counterpoise installation that I have I know that even if its swr is 1:1 - 1.3 across the band, its performance is marginal. 

Now my question is this...will a vertical current feedline choke help improve its overall performance like what a manufacturer/store website claims?  If so, is there another model/brand which is not too expensive? I was thinking of giving it a try but the cost of the choke is almost the same as the antenna...so I have to research more before pulling the trigger. Any inputs from experienced vertical users in the forum?  Thank you

73,
de Ernie, AD5MD

Tnx for the input Steve.  I do have the K4KIO 6 band hex (20-6m) and I think too that the AX tower will hold on to it in high winds.  Lets see if there will be some more inputs.  Have a nice week ahead

73,
de Ernie, AD5MD

Okay, now that I have cleaned and painted the Rohn AX tower that I got and after hearing comments from friends about its durability, I am now having second thoughts if I should put it up and transfer the hex beam there.  The AX is the earlier version of the BX series of the Rohn towers.  Looks pretty much the same except that this one has lesser number of "X" braces.  The bottom section is around 25.5" wide (BX7) on each side and the topmost section at 12 13/16" (BX3) wide (same measurement as with BX series).

We do get high winds here at around 80-90mph at the most on hurricane season.  The tower height will be 37ft and leg stubs cemented to the foundation 4x4x4 ft.  Any ideas? Or will I be better off putting up a freestanding 30ft 25G on the same foundation, not bolted to the house eve with braces.  Thanks

73,
de Ernie, AD5MD

Aaron,

tnx for the input.  I am actually considering doing it if I can find a metal or thick aluminum plate.  And yes, the tough part will be the cutouts for the rotor and thrust bearing (I have the Yaesu/Kenpro GS-065).  By the way, what is a metal brake?

Jim,

Yeah I was able to locate the Fastenal distributor here in Brownsville.  I have just finished painting the tower with primer (its supposed to rain the whole week so I had to do it fast, hi).  Most probably by next week I will be able to apply the top coat and get the bolt and nuts (Grade 5 noted)

Tnx guys

Aaron,

I did talk to the guys there at Alabama Tower but was told that they didn't have the hardware for the AX series towers.  I did some measurements on the top and bottom of each sections and they pretty much look the  same as the BX series.  Will give them another call....another source is Shelby Towers...

Tom,

Is there a particular chemical that converts rust to a hard sealed surface you can recommend?  Possibly from HDepot or Lowes? 
Thanks guys