14 March, 2002. 23:00 UTC

Battlecreek Special Dry Run: Saturday March 9

Battle Creek Special - Our locally built B.C.S. clone for 160, 80 and 40M was setup in the parklands behind the QTH of team member Alan, VK4WR.  This was it's maiden erection and provided a good opportunity to tweak it for the frequencies we'll be using.  Meticulously constructed by team member Peter, VK4APG, based on the invaluable construction advice from the Battle Creek low-banders; George W8UVZ, Charlie W0CD & George K8GG.  These guys also provided the feed balun, which we appreciate.  Thanks also to Lew Ashdown, VK4KLA, for the machining of the nylon insulators on his lathe.   Perhaps we should call our VK9ML BCS the "Eatons Hill Special"?

above - VK4APG (L) and VK4WR (R) checking resonance whilst VK4GL orders the pizza!

This portable FT-920 station was being powered by a Honda EU-10i generator (in the background).

above - Up she goes!  Pre guyed at four levels from four points (gin pole being the 4th guy point)
Using the 90� gin pole arrangement makes this an easy task.

left -
Although a rather large antenna it was a relatively effortless task using the gin pole.

Here David, VK4GL, is pulling up the gin pole which in turn is pulling up the antenna.  Peter, VK4APG, keeps the gin pole vertical whilst Graeme, VK4FI, keeps a watchful eye.

The EHS went up and down several times during the tweaking process.  Being a trapped antenna we get 40M where we want it, then work on 80M, then finally get 160M just right.

above - Our Webmaster & one of our Pilots Adam, VK4CP, lends a... err hand?
As there was a lot of up and downing during the erection process (?) it was easier to get someone to hang on to the gin pole rather than having to untie and re-tie the guys to a fixed guy point each time!

This picture was taken by Scott, VK4JSR, (thanks a lot!) who also helped out on the day.

left - the business end of the EHS.

Here David, VK4GL, is attaching the third level guy ropes.

The 80M trap is located at the very top of the aluminium section.  Just before the trap we connect the flying lead for the 80M L section, which runs down one of the 4th level polyester rope guy lines. 

On the other side of the trap is the 160M flying lead, which connects to a length of polyester rope which is guyed separately to a nearby tree.

  - right
The feed-end at the bottom end of town.

Inside the box is a 1:2 balun to correct for the 

~25 ohm feed point impedance on 160M.

This balun is switched out for operation on both

80 and 40M. 

Going out to the right is the gin pole which then becomes the mast for our 6M yagi.  This means that 6M will be one of the last stations QRV:(

Low-banders can rest assured that Eric, K3NA, and his low-band team will put the Yaesu  FT-1000MP + VL-1000 Amp and our Battle Creek Special, along with the rest of our low-band antenna arsenal, to good use!

Japanese website - Our JA team are busy translating this website so there will be a version in Japanese.  The url is;  http://www.pedi.jp/

Antennas - We welcome Force 12 aboard as a sponsor.  The highly successful SVDA's (Switch Vertical Dipole Array's) that were used at K5K and more recently on VP8 will also be used on Mellish.