Northwestern Michigan
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Central Lake is located in Antrim County which is in Michigan's northwestern quadrant just inland from Lake Michigan. The area's economy is primarily farming and tourism. Devoid of heavy industry, it has become the state's summer and winter playground. Surrounded by lakes and hills, and breath-taking vistas, it is one of Michigan's most |
Station Information
My station has been in the process of slow growth for the past 15 years. The antennas reside on 4 towers. A 140 foot commercial AM broadcast tower holds the 40 meter and 20 meter stacks, and 160 meter wires. Two 85 foot towers hold the 204BA and the 5 element 15 meter yagi. A 70 foot fold-over tower holds a 5/5 15m stack, and a 2/2 20m stack that faces south. The final 55 foot tower holds a 6 element 10 meter yagi. A big help with the growth of the antenna system has been the fantastic tower ability of my good friend Bill Maxson, N4A R, who has a vacation cottage in this area. Bill has helped with the physical, and design attributes of the towers and antennas. Other super friends assisting in the project are Gary, K8FX, (my golfing buddy, and partner in "radio crime"), and Phil, G4U DU, (technical "guru", and frequent visitor to these "north woods").
My operating and contest skills were honed at the multi-multi contest station of K8LX where I operated for many years with my friend Steve Maki, and others. I originally moved to this location from Royal Oak, Michigan (near Detroit). The current QTH is 270 miles northwest of Detroit and has disadvantages of frequent auroras and over-the-pole absorbtion, making conditions often difficult. I have often referred to this place as the "radio-blackhole". However, the beauty of the area outweighs all of these negatives.
E-mail Lee Ewald
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Edited By: Aaron Place & Andy Moriarity