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I finally got around to installing the Alpha Delta TT3G50 Low Loss Surge Protectors on the ground rod and then connected the DX Engineering DXE-400MAX feedline from the surge protectors to the MFJ 4601 feed-thru panel. I have DXE-400MAX feedline running from the feed-thru panel to the radio inside of the shack. 
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Today I received a QSL card for KA0XTT (Ex Tim Taylor) from the Last Man Standing Amateur Radio Club. It's been added to my QSL Card Databse at https://www.kk4fpk.net/qsl-cards.html.   I finally got around to raising and guying my 6m j-pole antenna (mast on right) I bought from KB8VBR. The 6m j-pole is 13.5' tall and on a 30' mast, putting the top of the antenna about 45-50' off the ground. The antenna farm is coming along nicely!  My job in Bioenvironmental Engineering (U.S. Air Force) requires us to perform occupational health surveillance and radiation protection; among other things. Today our office went to the KMXX Doppler radar sight near Tallassee, Alabama. https://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=mxx      View from KMXX Doppler Radar (facing towards Montgomery, Alabama) Question on how to use a VHF Line of Sight calculator.... when entering the "Total Antenna Height of 1st Station" and the "Total Antenna Height of 2nd Station" do I account for elevation changes? For example, if I am Station 1 and my antenna is 20' in the air, my line of sight is 6 miles and Station 2's antenna is 50' in the air, their line of sight is 10 miles. Together, our total line of sight is 16 miles. Lets assume Station 1's elevation is 300 ft and Station 2 is at sea level. Though Station 2's antenna is higher off the ground, Station 1 is significantly higher. If I account for the elevation change, Station 1's line of sight (at 320 feet) is 25 miles and Station 2's line of sight (at 20 feet) is still 10 miles; making it a total line of sight of 35 miles. A good example is the space station; they may be using a simple HT with an "antenna height" of 3 feet from the floor; however, since the space station is 254 miles (or 1,341,120 feet) from Earth, their line of sight is 1,414 miles. Which is why someone on Earth with an HT can contact the space station or an orbiting satellite. So, when accounting for line of sight between two stations, do you account for the elevation difference between the two? https://www.qsl.net/kd4sai/distance.html http://vwlowen.co.uk/java/horizon.htm  I finally bought my very first base rig! I've always just used an HT for local 2m communication. I bought this 100W Yaesu FT-840 from WX5TJW on a ham radio equipment sale/swap Facebook group for $300. This radio transmits on the 160 - 10 meter Amateur Bands using USB/LSB, CW, AM and FB modes. I still need to purchase a power source and antenna tune before I can get on the air and will be looking for those at the upcoming BirmingHAM fest in March. Since I am still a Technician, my main plan was to use the 10 meter band and also listen to all the other bands to see.... I mean hear... what's out there.  I recently purchased a 2-meter dual band j-pole antenna from KB9VBR and installed it today. Installation was really easy; just two pipe clamps connecting the antenna to the flag pole. I am considering painting to j-pole for two reasons, 1) to protect it against the elements and 2) to conceal the fact the antenna is copper.    Specifications:
I decided to get back into using my amateur radio, so I thought I'd start off my installing a pole that I can attach my antenna to. I used a telescoping flag pole and attached it to my deck. I live on a hill, so the back deck (though its on the second level in the back) is actually even with the yard in the front yard. This pole allows the antenna to reach above the roof line. I'll post an update once my new j-pole antenna arrives. 73! KK4FPK |
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