Update to BigIr Installation

I did some thinking and decided to pull up half of the radials I laid down.  My thinking was that the 6 ft width of the walkway between the house and the fence was too narrow for 12 radials without them interacting with each other.  I needed to have some room next to the house and next to the fence for the weed eater to feed! HI!
The antenna is playing just fine.  I have not been able to detect any on the air difference.  I have 12 radials each approximately 65 feet long.  SWR is good.  Signal reports are good.  So far so good.

Very 73 to you and yours.
Good Dx and Happy Island Hunting.

Leslie, ad5wb
League City, Texas

Installation of BigIr antenna

Six months ago my wife and I moved to a new QTH.  We moved from Galveston Island to League City on the mainland.  We chose our new location, partially, because the deed restrictions allowed for the installation of ham radio antennas.  After getting permission from the HOA, I finally got around to installing my BigIr during the Christmas holidays. 

Like most installations mine is a compromise.  The depth of my backyard is only 13 ft.  I have utility lines behind the house.  And only a six foot easement between my house and the fence separating our yard from the neighbors.  The installation is being done in segments. 

I am planning on installing the 80 meter coil for my BigIr vertical antenna.  At that time, the coax and control cable will be buried in conduit and run up into the attic and then down into the shack.  I will also hide the ehu inside a fake landscaping boulder.

But for the moment I am on the air.  Playing radio and having fun.
Here are some pictures of the install as it is right now.

This photo shows the Transworld vertical antenna I was using, temporarily.  The blue tape marks the future site of the BigIr antenna.

The hole for mounting the BigIr mounting post.  The hole is approximately 12 inches square, 2 ft deep and expands to about 18 inches wide at the bottom.  I filled the bottom with about 4 inches of gravel for drainage.  I filled the hole with approximately 130 pounds of concrete.

Mounting post in place with the Dx Engineering radial plate and some radials.

The antenna is mounted with a 1:1 balun, there is an 8 ft ground rod at the side of the radial plate and a lightning arrestor on the radial plate as well.  You can see the 24-63 ft long radials in place.  As noted earlier, eventually I will mount the 80 meter coil and run the coax and control cable to the house via buried conduit.  For right now, I have to open the window and bring in both the coax and control cable when I wish to operate.

Since my yard is so small, the radials have to make a a 90 degree turn and run down both the east and west side of the house in the 6 foot easement.

This photo shows the antenna in place.  You can see the three guys, 2 run to the top of the fence and one to the house.  You can walk under all of them which helps make things YL friendly. HI!
You can also see some of the utility lines.  The utility lines closest to the antenna are low ones: cable and telephone.

So far the antenna is playing well.  As the work progresses I will run some shorter radials in a fan shape from the radial plate.  All radials are lawn stapled and the grass should absorb them this spring and summer.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.

73 and good dx
Leslie, ad5wb
League City Texas

nice conditions today on 10 meters

I heard my first station ever, from Vietnam this morning.  What a treat.  I run a BirIr vertical so stations that others hear I often struggle to hear.  Running barefoot, I could not break the pileup.  But still a treat non the less.
I hope you signals are full quieting.
73 and good dx
Leslie, ad5wb
League City, Texas

updates to my ham radio hobby

My last entry in this blog was right after the 2013 Museum Ships Weekend in early June.  Shortly after that, my family and I moved off the island (Galveston Island) and onto the mainland.  We now live in League City, Texas.  I kept my station, on the island, on the air until the last moment.  My last contact from Galveston Island, NA-143, was on June 27.  K4IMB, Doug was my last contact.  Thank you Doug!  We moved on June 28.

I set my station up, on July 19.  I am still operating with a temporary station at my new qth.  I currently run an IC-7600 into an ALS-600, (currently in the shop) which feeds a Transworld 10-20 meter vertical.  I have to pull the antenna coax and antenna control cable through the window when I wish to get on the air.  HI!  No 40 meters yet.My first contact was with a state side special event station, W2R.  My first dx, July 19, was TR8CA, Alain, in Gabon.  It was not my first time to work Alain.  But, perhaps my most pleasurable.  It was good to know that even with my temporary set up I could work dx!

It has been a transition.  I have never known ham radio without living on the island.  My introduction to vhf and hf was grounded around being on NA-143.  I truly enjoyed putting the island out.

I have permission from the HOA to install my BigIr vertical, if I can get the neighbors permission.  I have 1 of 2 signatures.  I hope to start on the install before years end.  This go round, I will add the 80 meter coil, to the BigIr.  I hope in the next 30 days or so to be QRV 80 - 6 meters.

I will add more updates regarding the contest season and more to this blog in the near future.

I hope to work you on the bands.
73 and good dx
Leslie, ad5wb

a couple of more photos and videos from 2013 MSW

Mark, the Bosun for the Elissa, has a strong interest in ham radio.  His support was invaluable.  We were able to get him on the air on Sunday.

Husband and wife tag team, working the pile up.

Video from Sunday showing operators at work.  You can hear James making a qso.

One of the regular cruise ships.  It came in sometime Saturday night.  All day Sunday we heard chimes, bells, announcements etc until she left that afternoon.

The event was fun.  We added at least three stations to the event this year.  Last year we had on station on hf and one for a local vhf net.  This year we added an additional hf station, we also added a vhf ssb station and a satellite station.

I will come back and try and post a summary soon.

73

Leslie, ad5wb

photos and video from Day 1 2013 Museum Ships Weekend

Here are few photos from Saturday June 1, 2013; day one of Museum ships Weekend.  We operate dockside.  Boy was it hot!  Feeling a little toasty Sunday morning as we prepare to go back out.
The Elissa is operated by the Texas Seaport Museum.  Last night, they held their annual Plankholders event. So we had to vacate around 2200z.
Well, here you go:

Three of our operators straining to hear through the noise.  The Elissa in the background.

The 1877 Tall Ship Elissa.  Notice the missing deck.  they are in the process of redecking the entire ship.

As previously posted one of our operators giving new meaning to the term operating barefoot.

A view of our operating position from onboard the Elissa.

Our operating location.

A short video showing our operating positions

Operating outside at a remote location has it's challenges.  We had a few technical issues that delayed us getting on the air.  they also restricted us band wise for a while.  But, other challenges include the qrm from the "locals".  HI!

I will try to post a few more photos and such from today's operation.

Very 73 and good dx

Leslie, ad5wb

operating barefoot

One of our intrepid operators gives new meaning to the term operating barefoot!  HI!

2013 Museum ships Weekend