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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Dec 25, 2023 7:23:48 GMT -5
From the mountains of West Virginia where it was 67 degrees on Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas to all and the Happiest and best for the New Year!
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jul 4, 2021 2:28:38 GMT -5
Just wanting to wish everyone on this forum and particularly to all active duty military and ALL veteran's with us here on earth, peace and happiness on this special day. For without the sacrifice every dedicated member of our Armed Forces has given to this country so all of us are able to enjoy what we have in our Great nation. To those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, I stand and salute each and every one and thank you. Without those veteran's makes one wonder what this nation could have turned out to be today. Happy Independence Day to All! Let us not forget one of the greatest lines from one of our greatest president's ... Ask not what your country can do for you ...
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jan 30, 2021 5:11:16 GMT -5
The Ebay link that you provided in your answer is not a antenna for use with the frequencies of cb radios. It's design is for use with a cell phone as stated in the paperwork of the packaging.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Mar 6, 2016 8:23:29 GMT -5
OK ... We here in West Virginia sometimes do things with major gusto. A fellow CB operator that lives not far from me here erected a 120' free standing tower with a Laser 500 on top. Now the issue he is having. He is running a RCI 2995 that is set to dead key at 2 - 3 watts but swings 80 - 100 with audio. From there his coax goes to a X-Force 400 transistorized amplifier which in turn is the driver for a Wizard Built 3cx3000a7. Testing SWR's with coax plugged into radio only he has a 1:1 to 1 SWR. Coax connected to the X-Force 400, SWR's same results. The previous is results are connected to the antenna directly or into a dummy load. now the confusing part ... if he checks SWR's on the output side of the Wizard box with radio connected to X-Force 400 feeding into Wizard 3cx3000a7 but just "passing" through the Wizard box, not powered on, his SWR climbs to 1:8 to 1. He has not ever powered the Wizard box on and checked SWR's as he is afraid of blowing up that expensive box. The other part of the equations is this ... he has had to replace the "pills" in that X-Force box more times than you can shake a stick at it. More times to the point that he actually has 2 additional X-Force boxes as spares. as he blow's the "pills" out of one, he hooks up another and sends the one to get new pills installed. He is using an MFJ 259B meter that gives him SWR and Ohms readings. He has also tried using different dummy loads testing, plug on and oil can type with the same results. As far as him blowing the "pills" in the X-Force, I have told him in my opinion that even though he has the dead key in the radio turned down, the PEP out of the radio is too much for the X-Force and that is why the issue for causing the malfunction in it but that still does not explain the high SWR in the end coming out the Wizard box. Other factors that may or may not play into the equation. His antenna/tower is approx. 1200 feet away from his home on top of a ridge. Don't know what the type coax that he is using but it is best part of 2" in diameter and has one single line feeding up to tower where there is a electronic switch box mounted controlled from his home that on the other side of that switch box are two same type coax coming out, one to vertical, one to flat side. Ohms reading in the house from all that coax is 49.1 ohms which actually surprised me but I saw that reading on his meter. The setup in his home is that the radio is in one room on a desk. from the radio, the coax goes down through the floor and comes up in a smaller different room that has A/C running in it whenever needed and has one large extraction fan pulling the moving air from two other fans that blow's cooling air across the X-Force and Wizard box constant. He does not have to get up from his desk to turn anything on or off as he has everything setup through a "control panel" at his desk. Everything is grounded, I mean everything, and no two grounds are tied together, each is separate. That is everything in the house and the antenna/tower is grounded.
Any idea's why the high SWR's coming out the other side of the Wizard box? Any suggestions/input is appreciated.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Nov 29, 2015 15:42:10 GMT -5
I guess I want to pose this question to any of the antenna "Guru's" that are on this forum. I have taken down my Moonraker 4 to "rebuild" it. In the past when I have done this, twice so far in the 12 years that I have owned it, before re-assembly, I make sure ALL contact points are clean of corrosion and oxidation. When I have re-assembled it, I use a the same anti-corrosion compound that is used in normal electrical service where aluminum wire is concerned. I have not ever "cleaned the actual aluminum tubing of all the radial. I have applied anti-corrosion compound to where the two parts of the radials slide together and then that one whole piece into the hub assembly, all the hardware is replaced with new stainless hardware and also lightly coated. It has been suggested that I should clean the oxidation off the length of the radials also, not just the contact points. That could be a lot of rubbing with some fine grade steel wool. Yeah it would make it look brand new and shiny, but does it or would it effect quality of transmission? Does the fact that I have not cleaned the oxidation off the full length of the radials previously make any difference in the transmitted signal or radiation pattern? I have never had a problem SWR wise ever, vertical or flat, and I am still able to transmit and receive the stations that I have spoken to for years here the same and get the same reports back from them as to the "quality of my transmission". Would like those who know more than I to chime in please. I am in no rush to put the Raker back up as I usually have taken it down before winter hit's hard and put it back up in the spring, that way I have something to do in the garage during the cold winter months. Yes, my garage is a free standing two story 3 car garage that has it own environmental system. I have heat in the winter and A/C in the summer so it is my "Man Cave" all year long! In my experience, surface tarnish or corrosion has little to no effect on an antenna's efficiency. The only places that it matters is at the connection points. Keep those points as clean as you can, but anything more than that only helps make it "look like new", and not really doing anything helpful electrically. Thanks Sandbagger! You have expressed what I have always believed/thought.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Nov 29, 2015 7:27:14 GMT -5
I guess I want to pose this question to any of the antenna "Guru's" that are on this forum. I have taken down my Moonraker 4 to "rebuild" it. In the past when I have done this, twice so far in the 12 years that I have owned it, before re-assembly, I make sure ALL contact points are clean of corrosion and oxidation. When I have re-assembled it, I use a the same anti-corrosion compound that is used in normal electrical service where aluminum wire is concerned. I have not ever "cleaned the actual aluminum tubing of all the radial. I have applied anti-corrosion compound to where the two parts of the radials slide together and then that one whole piece into the hub assembly, all the hardware is replaced with new stainless hardware and also lightly coated. It has been suggested that I should clean the oxidation off the length of the radials also, not just the contact points. That could be a lot of rubbing with some fine grade steel wool. Yeah it would make it look brand new and shiny, but does it or would it effect quality of transmission? Does the fact that I have not cleaned the oxidation off the full length of the radials previously make any difference in the transmitted signal or radiation pattern? I have never had a problem SWR wise ever, vertical or flat, and I am still able to transmit and receive the stations that I have spoken to for years here the same and get the same reports back from them as to the "quality of my transmission". Would like those who know more than I to chime in please. I am in no rush to put the Raker back up as I usually have taken it down before winter hit's hard and put it back up in the spring, that way I have something to do in the garage during the cold winter months. Yes, my garage is a free standing two story 3 car garage that has it own environmental system. I have heat in the winter and A/C in the summer so it is my "Man Cave" all year long! In my experience, surface tarnish or corrosion has little to no effect on an antenna's efficiency. The only places that it matters is at the connection points. Keep those points as clean as you can, but anything more than that only helps make it "look like new", and not really doing anything helpful electrically. Read more: grumpy.proboards.com/thread/7579/antenna-re-conditioning?page=1&scrollTo=48182#ixzz3suon1sKC Thank you Sandbagger. You have expressed what I have always thought.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Nov 26, 2015 8:20:25 GMT -5
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and blessed day with family and friends.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jan 19, 2015 12:35:07 GMT -5
KASS-7775...hence my DX number 775. I think you had to be at least 12 years old to get one? Guess I am going to show my age a little here ... KAL-7659. Three letter prefix was used before they started using four letter prefix. And yes, I am originally from SW Philadelphia, hence the prefix designating location. You should all be glad that I moved away as I would probably be one of the people that was talked about from the past that made it rough for everyone else. Back then I did not hesitate to run a D&A Triple Stage on the high side into a Wilson "Y-Quad" most all the time. Back then I seemed to be referred to many a time as the East Coast Gatekeeper. Got my wrist slapped once by the FCC back then when I moved over to New Jersey for a short time and talking on the radio like I did. It got me a letter from the FCC stating that I was causing interference with communications from the control tower at McGuire AFB, and I was being told to basically knock it off or face much further action. I moved to West Virginia! BTW ... still have that Triple Stage.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jan 14, 2015 18:20:44 GMT -5
I agree, the +3 was probably the best microphone out there. And the mobile version was also very good. The mobile +3 was my absolute favorite amplified mic back in the day. I like the slide control for volume, and the mic fit in my hand comfortably. And it sounded good on most radios. My favorite Turner mobile mike that I always received great results with was the JM+2U. I ran that mic on several mobiles from my Royce (23 channel) that I had many moons ago, to my first 40 channel (Cobra 77X) to at one time running a Cobra 2000 GTL in the mobile. Everyone told me how clean and loud that audio was with that mic. I now run a Aztatic stock mic on a RCI-2950 in the mobile with a Texas Star 500V behind it, and I have been told that the audio with that combination sounds great also.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Dec 25, 2014 15:12:44 GMT -5
I would llike to wish the whole Grumpy's Olde Time Radio Forum family a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and the best of THE NEW YEAR to everyone. From me and mine, to you and you all from deep in the hills of West Virginia.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Oct 21, 2014 20:19:06 GMT -5
Afterburner wrote: LMAO! OF COURSE I'M A COONASS! . The term "Coonass," for you guys that don't know, is actually a derogatory name Cajun's call each other, but it's really a term of endearment we use with friends and family, and, evidently, Afterburner knows this . Hey, AB, look up Cajun on wikipedia and you'll actually read about how the term came about. Years ago, I was playing chess at our local chess club, and my friend (another Cajun) asks me, "Okay, moron! What opening are you going to use this time," and I told him "The Coonass, of course!" (A2-A4 for u chess players. Worst move on the board.) Another member heard this, came over to us, and he was seething with hate and malice. He says, "I'm a lawyer, and I just want you guys to know that I've sued numerous people for using that term!" My friend says, "Listen here, idiot! We are BOTH Cajun and Coonass', so if you don't like that crap, tough s***!!" Most of my career was spent working in engineering firms in Houston. One of the companies I worked for was made up of folks mainly from the UK. Out of 10 folks working there, there was one guy named Eddie who was working on his PhD in Civil Engineering and me, with the rest being from England. Once I was hired and started working there, they found out that I was from Louisiana and Cajun, and my name from that point on was "Coonass" . One day we had a big meeting at Diamond Offshore, with a lot of higher ups and engineers attending, and we were discussing some technical issue that we were having. My boss yells out, "Wait a minute! Hold on! I know the issue we are having here, and COONASS here knows this crap well!! If anyone can fix this, it's him!!" . To this day, I can walk into all of those firms and they'll say, "Well, if it isn't Coonass!" 73, Randy AB5NI AB5NI ... I have lived in LaPlace many years ago. Lived there for two years so yes I am very familiar with the term and the folk down there. Only difference now is that I am a redneck who lives in West Virginia now and I love living on my mountain.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Oct 21, 2014 4:45:04 GMT -5
We really didn't have too many redneck base stations around here, although there was quite the plethora of yahoos passing through town on channel 19. My CB station in the 70's consisted of a Realistic Navaho 30a and inverted V. Mic was stock. My Dad (W5VXQ, licensed since 1952) setup the inverted V, got on the air as "Chicken Picker ," and was immediately called a complete idiot and redneck for talking on "a piece of wire." Down the line, I upgraded to the J.C. Penny Pinto 23-channel AM/SSB rig and had a PDL-2 strapped to the roof. Neighbors were running FT-101E's, Siltronics 1011D's, TS-520's, and various Drake rigs, along with the Browning and Tram gear. Some also had PDL-2's, super scanners, Moonraker 4's and 6's (some stacked), and once in awhile you'd see a 6 or 8-element laser at 100' or so. Verticals of the era included the Astroplane and various verticals sold at Radio Shack. Popular amps were made by D&A, Palomar, Texas Star, or were converted ham amps, which was the vast majority. There were also a few homebrew amps on the air as well. Folks here learned very quickly to steer clear of the CB amps. I was pretty much out of CB from the 80's on, but I do get on the bowl to listen up for F-layer and Sporadic E skip conditions. Most of my local CB friends either quit operating CB altogether or got their ham tickets. OTOH, this is when I started hearing roger beeps and echo, and a lot of truck drivers would pay good money to have their roger beep converted to a "mule fart," which was basically lowering the pitch of the roger beep and extending the duration. You'd also hear them talking about their Galaxy rigs and Cobra radios, so I take it those were popular around here as well. OTOH, the vast majority of the truckers here were transient, only passing through town on their way to Houston or New Orleans, so I'm pretty sure it would be accurate to say that most of these yahoos were from out of town, although I'm sure we had our share of them as well. Oh, one other thing: channel 19 is pretty much dead here. They've all moved over to Android and IPhone apps that display the locations of radar traps in real-time. They also use online maps and GPS for directions, so you rarely hear a driver asking how to get to some location. The really, really funny thing is that when you mention the word Louisiana or say that you come from that state, the vast majority of folks instantly see you as being mentally defective and downright retarded. One would think that we would easily top the list of "redneck radio operators," but that would simply not be the truth. I guess shows like "Swamp People" and "Duck Dynasty" add fuel to the fire as well. Let it be known, though, that the Cajun's think these people are complete and total idiots themselves!! They are definitely WAY out there, as far as we are concerned. Louisiana gives Hollywood and the movie industry BIG TIME tax breaks, and that's why you are seeing a lot of TV shows and movies being filmed here. OTOH, the vast majority of folks think we're complete morons, so that's exactly what hollywood gives them, and trust me when I tell you they have to search far and wide to find these kind of characters here. You guys don't want to hear that most of us are university educated, upper-middle class and above. Besides, you probably wouldn't believe it anyway, and you just want to hear that we paddle a boat down the river through a ton of alligators to get to work . 73, (I am a stereotypical Cajun, BTW.) Randy AB5NI AB5NI said ... "73, (I am a stereotypical Cajun, BTW.)" So now I pose the question to you AB5NI ... are you a Coonass? BTW other member's, I am not cussing at him, if he is one he knows what I am saying.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Aug 28, 2014 6:34:03 GMT -5
Well, when we were the "kids" of the 1970's, the "adults" back then (and I use the term loosely in some cases), would be in their 70's and older now, and many have gone on to that coffee break in the sky. So yea, it's quite possible that you may end up with a haunted radio....... The "kid" in me just does not want to be reminded how old I am. In 2002 I bought a new "fat" Sony PlayStation 2 to play CD's and games on. Now if you search YouTube there are "twenty-somethings" reminiscing about their childhood memories of playing some game on the PS2 when they were twelve. Dang! I remember seeing a crowd of people standing around a big screen TV being amazed by the Sony PlayStation 2 graphics at Fry's Electronics in Phoenix, Arizona back in 2000. Now they are up to the Sony PS4, and the Sony PS2 is "old school". Night Ranger Well Night Ranger, you know what they say, "Life is a B****" it does suck getting older. I remember when my parents got there first television that needless to say was B+W and we received I believe it was three stations. Saturday mornings were filled with watching Capt. Kangaroo, Gene London, Pete's Gang, Lambchop ... Just think though of what you can share with the grandchildren, or in my case the Great Grandchildren!
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Aug 11, 2014 17:32:58 GMT -5
When I was first on the CB in 1975/1976 I remember hearing a number of people talking on the original Uniden made Cobra 21 (no letters) 23 channel mobile. On Ebay I do see original Cobra 21s come up for auction, but most are well worn. On the Cybernet side I see alot more "new old stock" Cybernet chassis 23 channel models. I wonder why there is such a discrepancy? Was the Cobra 21 23 channel a widely available radio in the rest of the U.S? They were very popular in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1975/1976. I think I have only seen two "new old stock" Cobra 21 23 channels hit Ebay in 10 years. The original Cobra 12 23 channel; www.shadowstorm.com/cb/rigs/Cobra_21.jpgNight Ranger It may be as simple as an overstock situation with regard to Cybernet radios. I've also seen the bare 3 crystal Cybernet boards alone being sold for dirt cheap on ham forums (presumably to make 10 or 6 meter radios from) Evidently, the made a lot of those boards (and 23 channel radios) thinking they would just have to replace the 23 channel dial with a 40 when the new band plan became legal, and I believe the FCC put a knife through those plans, so many of those radios ended up unsellable. The Cobra 21, on the other hand, never came out with a PLL 23 channel version. They switched over to the 77X which was the 40 channel PLL version. So the stock of original 23's was probably drained before the switch to 40's. Also Cobra had a better reputation among CB'ers, so they probably sold every unit that came into the stores. I bought one of the Cobra 77X radio's. Received compliments all the time on how good that radio sounded (audio quality). I remember mounting it in my Dodge Ramcharger and running a co-phased harness with twin Francis' off the mirror's. For a mobile it talked well and for a good distance. Then I got stupid and tweaked the radio and modified the PLL chip to get the "extra" channels. Shame. I have no idea what happened to that radio. Wish I had that chip today!
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Feb 15, 2014 8:35:54 GMT -5
Dave, dont send no kudo's yet as I am going to try and keep the site going. I did send you a PM Bagger. Scott is missed greatly and we hope someday when the good Lord pull's my finals, we will all meet again.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Feb 12, 2014 7:44:29 GMT -5
Well, we shall just pick the highest elevation in mountains and make sure that we have a lil extra help to broadcast from and let everyone come to us! That's if we can get to the top of the mountain because of the snow ... is this vehicle gonna have tracks?
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Feb 11, 2014 16:34:50 GMT -5
Well ... we have PLENTY of mountains down here in West Virginia and you would be welcomed. We do not get very good skip conditions around here in these mountains and hollers, but someday when I really dont mind making some locals mad, I will fire up the ole D&A Triple Stage and see if I cant get the old MK III to be heard up there in SE PA. In the meantime, let me know if there is anything I can do to assist in getting this whole idea off the ground or help it be seen further through to completion.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Feb 11, 2014 10:29:47 GMT -5
Sandbagger and all those interested in creating a "Nostaglia Mobile" ... because this site is a Browning/Tram site originally, I have a working Browning SST 23 channel mobile that I would be willing to donate to the cause if you all feel that it is appropriate. It might need a lil tuning up but before I replied to this post, I did hook it up and checked on my meter that it is in fact a functional radio. Just let me know and I will ship the radio to whomever is going to be the person prepping the vehicle for it's maiden voyage. Only condition that I put on it is that if and when it is not going to be used, it would be returned to me.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Oct 18, 2013 15:39:58 GMT -5
My first thought is to question if that service bed is grounded to the frame adequately? Other than that, why don't you just get a Sweet Sixteen, a bank of 1000 amp marine deep cycle batteries, and a large industrial battery charger ... fire up that generator and have a ball! Oh yeah ... if you are feeling real energetic, build yourself a mini crank-up, mount it to the deck of that service bed and set yourself a Imax on top of it, park somewhere near a lake of salt water, drop the ground in the water and go to town!
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Sept 21, 2013 12:21:42 GMT -5
You all got lil' mountains up there in yankee country. comon down here to the mountains and see if ya'll cant do some skip shooting from here.
FLAT TOP MOUNTAIN, West Virginia The mountain is also variously known according to peaks along its crest -- Pilot Knob, Bluff Mountain (3,480 ft.), Rich Knob (3,360 ft.), Indian Grave Mountain (3,440 ft.), Bald Knob (3,400 ft.), Huff Knob (3,570 ft.), White Oak (3,280 ft.), Freezeland Mountain (3,480 ft.), and Swell Mountain (3,290 ft.).
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Sept 21, 2013 12:09:58 GMT -5
OK ... for all you antenna guru's out there I have a question that is of interest to me in acquiring a good general census. I am contemplating changing my antenna on my work vehicle. So we are all on the same page, my work vehicle is a Chevrolet Express 1 ton Extended Cargo Van. Presently I have a Wilson 5000 mounted through the roof approx. 4 ft. rearward of the windshield, and of course centered. This spot was chosen actually by using a magnetic mount base to determine the location to set the lowest desirable SWR. Now, I just happened to be in Florida this past week (work related) and stopped into a Radio Shack just to see if they had available a steel 102" whip. Not only did they have a brand new whip still in the cardboard tube but also had the cast steel base and new coiled spring that is all chrome. I asked the GM how long they have been on the shelf at his store and he replied that he has been the GM for 35 years and he can not remember the last time he sold this package. I got a great deal off of him for all three pieces ($50.00) out the door. Now to the question. Needless to say, I can not mount a 102" whip on the roof. Well actually I could but it is not practical, lord what a lightening rod that would be let alone all the overpasses I would be hitting driving under them at 70 mph ! In all your Guru's opinion, what would be a logical and functional place to mount this setup? Rear bumper where half or more would be "blocked" by the body and the tennis balls would be slid down to keep the antenna from hitting the body? Left or right rear panels on the side again with the tennis balls? If there, centered top to bottom of the body, centered in the lower half? I know everyone see where I am going with this question. Where possibly is the best location in ones opinion/experience? Maybe I am better off to keep using the Wilson on the topside and if that is ones opinion, let me know. Any and all welcome to comment and thanks!
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Dec 22, 2009 6:17:03 GMT -5
As I understand...from reading previous post, apparently Scott does not receive PM messages. So with that thought I felt the best way to Honor our Founding Father on his Birthday was to do it here on the Forum so everyone one would know and see that it is Scott's Birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me personally and wishes for many many more. Along with that I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years also.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Dec 10, 2009 6:34:20 GMT -5
Do I see a new listing in the "For Sale" section? Parts for Astrobeam available. Or maybe a listing for Parts Wanted?
Hey Sniper, you think you did "overkill" on your mast? What I have is a Moonraker 4 on top of a 78' tower. The Tailtwister rotor sit's on a mounting plate 15' from the top. I have 2.25" ID steel drill pipe that starts about 1 foot above the rotor, through the top of the tower, extending another 15' above. That pipe is welded in place with crossmembers for stability and support.Inside of the 2.25" pipe is my 2.00" pipe that connects the rotor to the Moonraker 4 with a roller bearing at the top and bottom of the 2.25" to prevent any swaying. Yeah, I know it is "overkill" but understand that my tower is up on the ridge behind my home. It takes two lengths, 612' ea. of "hardline" coax to reach it! Not something that I take down very often to rebuild. The benefits of living in the "Mountain State" and back in the holler. Oh yeah, yesterday here in West Virginia we had recorded wind gust up to 70+ mph and she is still standing proud.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Oct 16, 2009 23:15:12 GMT -5
You will all think that I am maybe even cruel but, My Brownings now stay off unless I am going to use them most all day. If I am only going to be talking for an hour or two, I use the Titan II and for shorter periods I use the RCI. What can I say, I am extremely partial to my Brownings.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Oct 16, 2009 23:07:05 GMT -5
Here is a thought for those smarter than I. When doing electrical work(120V-440V)... when making connections say to a breaker panel main, we use an anti-corrosive compound at that connection. I do not believe that anything really prevents corrosion, but this stuff ssslllllloooooowwwwwwssss it down dramatically. It does not interfere with tha actual connection(bonding) of the components. Here is my question, has anyone ever used it when assembeling say a Moonraker 4 at the hub/element connection or at the coax/gamma match connection and if so what were the results?
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Aug 28, 2009 14:44:50 GMT -5
Well zman...after taking it down and disassembly, the other concern that I have is that of my gamma matches. They were corroded in place (could not move the rod in/out). I applied a lot of penetrating lubricant and slowly over a few days finally got them out and moving but the inner rod is badly pitted where it "slides" in or out of the outer piece. I also broke one of the aluminum studs and nut getting the gamma match apart. Other than that it is in fairly good shape (no hubs cracked or fiberglass splintered). In my head I say to myself, replace the gamma matches, but unsure how much effect the corrosion would /may have . The corrosion is gone now, as the whole antenna cleaned up nicely (almost looks new actually). Re-assembly is going a little slow as I have been stuck down in Louisiana because of work most all of the summer. I am looking forward to getting home time soon so I can get it totally re-assembled and back in the air. When I do get home once in awhile now (long weekends), it is just not the same firing up the MK III and talking on the stick!
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Aug 5, 2009 8:42:07 GMT -5
ROFLMAO ... good comparison Sandbagger! I was kinda being sarcastic in a way about the legality aspect. As I see it anymore, because there is really No FCC control over 11 meter's anymore from lack of funding and personal, CB'ers do as they please. As long as it is in moderation (the illegal practices), they know they will get away with it. Now them BIG Boy's like on the "Bowl", they will get hammered someday (I hope). Otherwise, it is just a do what you want when you want to do it kinda thing. I know for me here in West Virginia, there is a CB'er that is about 20 air miles away from me that claims he is running 2KW. Bleeds 15 channels on either side of the frequency he is talking on and is a real Pain in the A**!(Cheap splatter box). Don't say anything to him, as he will follow you around the frequencies and just key up and talk to himself just to aggravate you and tell you that "Uncle Charlie" won't do anything about it. That is why several of us here go in between frequencies and talk, usually no hassle there.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Aug 4, 2009 17:43:36 GMT -5
Hello oldgoat, and welcome to the world of silly side band. With your RCI 2995 on the Ancient Mary side choose the frequency that you would like to talk silly side band on. Make sure that you are dead on frequency on the AM side. Set the clarifier to more than likely the 12 o'clock position. Switch your Frequency selector to USB or LSB, whichever you prefer to talk on. Most people you will find are on the LSB side. Start listening ... when you hear someone that you would like to try to contact, listen to them and if they sound as normal as a voice as probable, key up and "CQ"(same thing as break on AM). If they sound a little "funny" (tinny or bassy), slowly turn the clarifier one way or another until they sound "normal", then try "CQ'ing" them. The clarifier works to tune them in unless your clarifier has been opened up and some people use it to "slide" XX KC's up or down from the center of the frequency and talk. I know I shouldn't tell on myself and it is illegal, but I actually enjoy talking to people on LSB dead in between the normal frequencies. Boy is it usually quiet there and you can talk for a long time with no interruptions. Oh yeah ... by old gentleman's agreement, it is understood that Channel 16, and then 36 through 40 are for sideband use but that does not always hold true.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jul 20, 2009 6:41:05 GMT -5
wd8nia ... you took the words out of my mouth on my suggestion to him. I would ask though, are you testing the radio without the linear in line and what are those SWR's. If the SWR's are good without the linear in line, and when you hook the linear up they go off, I would start by trying different length's of coax between the radio and the linear and then between the linear and the antenna to see if you can get them in an acceptable range. In the end, I would venture to say that something has gone array with the linear and is causing his problems. Make sure that you have a GOOD, POSITIVE ground on the antenna. What radio are you using to talk with? what is the output of that radio compared to the maximun drive the linear can handle? Is it a low drive or high drive linear? I am betting that the radio has to much drive into the linear and has done something that is not wanted. I run a RCI 2950 DX into a TS 500V into a Wilson 5000 on my work van. The antenna is mounted through the roof (not magnet mount) just where the cab and cargo area line would be. I turn the output way down on the radio and talk all over the place with no problems at all. My SWR's have never gone above 1:2-1 across from about 30 channels below and above the "normal " CB freq's.
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jul 19, 2009 19:41:13 GMT -5
My recommendation is to get an new vehicle. A 1998 Ford Taurus is known to cause all kind's of SWR problem's!
Naaa... just bustin ur chops that is all. But it is a shame that you have a Ford.
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