RADIALS
This one shows my kludged up radial connections. I have very limited
tools and time. I found a 3/32" thick stainless steel - kinda heavy
duty - gas stove "eye" drip pan with a three inch hold in the middle,
drilled 16 holes around the circumference and tapped then for 6/32
stainless machine screws. My plan was to hook two radials to each
screw, one on the bottom and one on the top, with a nut. I used 14g
solid insulated wire from Home Depot. The length of the radials varies
from 15 to 30 feet as my backyard is rectangular. I used a big galvanized
nail to secure the end of each radial, and cut up old coat hangers
"staple-like" fashion to secure them mid-way. As long as the guys laying
the sod don't drag their feet....
I used a sprinkler valve protective cover for access to the feedline
coming up out of the "TEE" for the vertical feed point. Both coax and twin-
lead feedlines are available there.
Here's my plan for the base of the vertical. Remember that I can't
leave this thing up. I dug a 4' hole and put some gravel in the bottom.
Then buried a 1 1/2" thick-walled piece of PVC with dirt and concrete,
with two 24" angle-iron stablizers. A cap goes on it when not in use.
I found a 6' piece of thick walled (over 1/8") 1 1/4 metal pipe which
slides easily into the PCV pipe. The mount for the vertical will attach
to the removable metal pipe for storage in the garage when not in use,
and the cap goes back on the PVC.
If the 6BVT doesn't arrive in time for the Sunday PIG net, I'll use the
PAC-12 or St. Louis Vertical with the new radials. Hopefully, band
condx will be favorable, and you will not have as much trouble pulling
my little signal out of the noise!
Oh, Bill W4STX sent me this gator pic...
oo
-MAC-
AF4PS
FP-51