K6DS

Visit my Harley Gabrielson Memorial page
The former holder of this great call

Newer and better, the Yaesu FTdx-3000 and the Yaesu FT-2000,
with the Ameritron 811H

Here is the current shack

Yaesu FTdx-3000 - Yaesu FT-2000, Ameritron 811H,

Mypanadapter from Steve

MFJ Giant SWR/Wattmeter, Yaesu YS-60 SWR & Power Meter

Yaesu FT-7800 VHF/UHF and Wouxon dual band hand-held

Antennas are:  K4KIO Hex-Beam at 35 feet, Gap Titan DX and 40 meter inverted Vee

if you have questions or comments, email me here

Equipment:

Picture is out of date since I now use the Heil PL-2T boom, and my trusty old Unidyne Model 580SA mic. I loved the Kenwood TS-870, but really wanted the newer technology of the Yaesu FT-2000. One great rig. The 2k drives an Ameritron 811H on seldom occasions, and out to my Gap Titan DX antenna.  Would like a 30 foot tower with a Hex-beam on top, but too darn old and too darn scared to climb and put it up myself....

Update - 6-12-16.  Hooray!  Talked with Leo, great guy, and then my K4KIO Hex arrived.  My 30' aluminum tilt-over tower from Palco is on the way (won't have to climb).  Also bought new rotator cable from K1CRA Radio Store, another great guy and wonderful service.  Bought new coax from HRO for the Hex and for the 40 meter inverted vee that will be near the top.  Got some of the extra items that are needed.  Lots yet to do and things to buy, but maybe within a month, the Hex-Beam will be up!

Update - 6-25-16.  All preparations are completed and all necessary parts and pieces to erect the tower and antenna are gathered.  Total dollars spent for the entire project is $2,516.99.  But, having sold the MA5B antenna and GlenMartin short tower for a total net of $532.03, the net for the tower, antenna and all items necessary for the install totals $1,984.96.  Now, just waiting for the tower that I was told should ship on the 28th of this month... Fingers crossed.

6-28-16.. Wrong!...  Called Universal Tower and found that they are backed up four days.  Says my Tower will probably ship either Friday (Nope) or Monday.  Since Monday is the 4th of July so look at Tuesday.  If that does happen, it will have taken Universal Tower 5 1/2 weeks to ship my tower.  Too darn long since Texas Tower site says that Universal Tower usually ships in three weeks and Palco says 3 to 4 weeks!

7-5-16.. Pleasant surprise!  Called Universal Tower to find out if they would finally ship today and Lisa, (the temp, since Annette is on vacation), tells me that Annette didn't have a chance to send the email, but my tower was shipped on Friday.  Lisa sent me an email and tracking number for the carrier.  I checked the delivery date and it looks like Friday the 8th.  I sure hope so.

7-7-16.. Good news!  Just spoke with R+L Carriers and my tower is in San Diego and delivery is set up for tomorrow between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.  Then the work begins.  Might have it up in that projected month, by July 12th, but should at least be close to that date.

7-8-16.. Tower arrives and is ready for much work.  Mounted thrust bearing, rotator plate and mast in top section of tower.

7-9-16.. Tested rotation and all is good.  With 5 feet of the mast above the tower, it will put the Hex-Beam at 35 feet.  My neighbor Brian drilled the holes in the concrete and epoxied the half inch threaded bolts. 

7-10-16.. Totally assembled tower mounted it on the base and raised it.  How sweet to see it in the air.  Couldn't have happened without the masterful assistance of my neighbor Brian.  He is not a ham, but is a project manager in construction and, really knows his stuff.  He said that installing the tower was fun and now he is anxious to see the completed Hex-Beam and wants to help install it too.  I will be assembling the Hex probably on Tuesday or Wednesday.

7-13-16.. I built the Hex-Beam with the help of a dear Masonic friend, Clint.  Was a trip, but worked out after about 3 hours.  Then Brian came over and the hard work began.  The Hex was pushed off to the side a bit, and the tower was lowered far enough to have a 12 foot reach on a ladder to mount the antenna on the tower.  We all worked, but as usual, Brian was not only most of the brawn, but lots of the brain too.  However, Clint was the one that made the suggestion that saved the day and facilitated the mounting of the antenna to the mast.  So, the Hex-Beam is on the 30 foot tower and the tower is up.  Now, tomorrow I have to secure the tower to the eave of the roof, then mount the 40 meter inverted vee.  Finally, I have to run the three cables through the pvc and into the house to the rig and rotator controller.  So close to done.

7-14-16 - Ran the cables through the pvc and into the shack. 

FINALLY DONE AND ON THE BANDS!!

Works great.  Comparison to the Gap Titan DX, for stations with an
S-2 to 3 on the meter with the Gap, was a S-6 to 7 on the Hex-Beam.

SWR measurements were taken three ways and the results are on the pictures page here: SWR Measurements
Most surprised with 10 meters, my favorite band.  - very broad.

Care to visit our FreeMason website?

http://www.freemason574.org/

Check out the QSL card Here...

Latest solar information,

 
What K6DS is not:
        The best DXer
        A CW operator (Like it, not good at it)
        Real happy in California... but stuck here.
     
What K6DS is:

       A 10 meter DX chaser  (See my first goal achieved with the 10 meter DXCC)
       A VE, and really enjoying it.

The major link for any and all information is, of course... Rod (RIP)  AC6V... visit this great site!