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In preparation - psp

 

Malcolm Hamilton GM3TAL gave his second talk on home-made wire antennas at the LRS meeting on 27th November 2013. For the report on his 2012 talk, click here.

  

 

 

 

 

 Malcolm has been experimenting with a number of these vertical antennas: 

λ/4 for 14MHz, 5/8λ for 28MHz and a Bobtail Curtain for 28MHz (top right in diagram).

 

Malcolm built a λ/4 vertical for 14MHz for only £3.50.

 

Malcolm (R) and XYL Sue in Swaziland.

 

The 5/8λ vertical is well-known on 144MHz.

Malcolm built one for 28MHz to take advantage of the recent sunspot-max conditions.

 

Effect of antenna height on take-off angle.

 

 The 28MHz 5/8λ installed at the GM3TAL QTH.

 

DX worked by Malcolm on 28MHz from Dunfermline - even included Fairmilehead and Armadale!

 

 Malcolm built a Bobtail Curtain for 28MHz.

 

 

 

The traditional method of erecting a high mast, using a gin-pole.

 

A second method, using rotation about a support point on a pair of lower masts.

 

 

 

Antenna erection using "Method 2"

 

 Malcolm (L) and Marcel PA1JPS assembling the rotation point for Method 2.

 

 Malcolm operated VHF-NFD with the Loch Fyne Kippers contest group. 

Here they are using Method 2 to erect one of their masts.

 

 Instead of lashing out big bucks on a commercial thrust-bearing for the bottom of the mast, 

Malcolm has devised this inexpensive design using a PVC pipe-fitting and a sheet of metal.

 

 A marketing pitch from the PVCPMB (PVC Pipe Marketing Board).

 

 Which generated this response from the CBMB.

 

Bamboo mast using a single length supported on top of a tripod of bamboo poles.

 

 

 

 Home-Spun philosophy!