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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 573 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Friday, July 27, 2012 - 2:55 pm: |
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Does anyone have any projects from A-Z that you'd like to share with the forum?? 73 Pressman
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Scooterman
Junior Member Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 39 Registered: 3-2012
| Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2012 - 10:59 am: |
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I have a ton of projects going on. I'm preparing to install my base station antenna, Sirio M400. This has been an on going process. I have to appease the wife, and two sets of neighbors in the appearance category. |
Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2186 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 1:41 pm: |
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I have a project starting with "A". An all stock Ford Model A sedan that is my non-work daily driver. Project starting with "Z" is the Zetron control panel just got pulled from a UHF repeater I have up on a mountain. Upgraded the repeater from a Uniden to a Motorola Quantar and it has built-in capability to do multiple PL and DPL tones without an external panel required. The new setup will be installed this coming week if all goes well. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 575 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 1:54 pm: |
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Friend in Indiana had a storm come through and knocked down the power line and discharged into his equipment. Below is what it took out. And his project. Ham IV rotor, control box and connecting cable. Kenwood TS-690 SAT with all options exceptCTCSS. AOR ADR9000 digital modulation interface. Icom ID-880H d'star and D'RATS interface, Rigtalk CAT cable. Icom R-75 Reciever with full filtering installed. Icom IC-718 with DSP and PSK soundcard interface, Rigtalk CAT cable. Icom IC-706. ACER laptop. SONY VAIO laptop. HP dual quad 4- 3.4 gihz- 500 gig hard drive, 64 gigs memory soft ware up the yang and fully tricked out. The monitor and printer escaped it all. And of course every piece of coax, Ethernet and connecting cables for both. WE as Hams spend a lot of time and money making sure we are grounded against a lightning strike and then we put tuned radials under our HF verticals for maximum efficiency only to have a SUPREME BEING show us that we are prone to our own stupidity and we can't protect ourselves against everything. There are 4700 volt power lines in everyone's backyard. What went up can come down. If it lands on your grounded grid, WELL... happens! Especially in Muncie, Indiana... 73 Pressman
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 576 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 2:05 pm: |
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833 Congrats on the 'A'. Todor of Fordor Sedan? There's a ton of places to get parts and rebuilds. Brattons antique Auto Parts Hotforhotfours.com Vanpeltsales.com Roadsters.com Glad to see another 'A' lover. 73 Pressman
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Tech237
Moderator Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1598 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 9:16 am: |
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Designing electronic instrument package to replacr the analog ones in a 79 MGB. This will include all normal gauges and maybe a built in GPS. Also redesigning the slow turn on system for headl;ights that I used to use on Rally cars back in the 70s. Radio-wise, working ona control panel for teh radios that includes equalaizers for both receive and transmit audio, switch selectable hand, desk and headset mics, switch selectable CW key or computer and anything else I think of. Also still working on the book for setting shacks, mobiles etc. Tech237 N7AUS God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2187 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:20 am: |
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Press man, It's a Tudor. Yes, LOTS of parts around. Have a big Model A parts place very close to me (that does huge mail order business) where parts can be had same day too. Best part is not having to take my car to a shop for repairs and write big checks. My work truck is a 2006, and minimum repair is like $600. Some repairs have been 4 figures. I like what Jonathan Klinger did, drove a Model A as daily driver in Michigan for a whole year. He discovered what other Model A drivers already know- almost nothing stops one of them. 365daysofA.com is a good read if you need to blow an entire day staring at a computer screen! 80+ years later, still a completely workable, useful vehicle. With an overdrive, gets great mileage too. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Scooterman
Junior Member Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 40 Registered: 3-2012
| Posted on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:12 pm: |
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Will the alternator handle all that? Autometer has a lot of the digital gauges done for you. DB electrical down in Tennessee has one you probably drop right in. If you have a spare alt. you could send it down to them and they could rebuild it. I know one guy who had a 300 amp unit that is internally regulated. |
Tech237
Moderator Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1599 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 8:43 am: |
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Scootmans - yep but not ones that fit the original gauge cases.Besides building my serves two purposes - gerts my hand back into designing circuits (and designing circular circuits boards is a challenge),makes the dash unique - not matter if somebody esle updates their MGs dash, it won't be the same. Alternator is no worries - orginal is 55Amp, but the 80Amp Saturn alternator bolts right in. Tech237 N7AUS God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 578 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 6:19 pm: |
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833 My Dad had a 29 A p'up when I was a kid that took us every where. Is your Sedan a leather back or steel? Did you get a trunk with it? What year is it? A 5 or 6:1 head works wonders, even ups mpg. I almost picked up a '31 Coupe but got outbid. Anywho, I'd like to build one with a 90hp four just to play with. Almost forgot, look up the four cyl on Wiki, good read. Maybe I can start recapping my old radios soon. Maybe even put my farm back in the air. 73 Pressman
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 581 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 1:34 pm: |
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How are the projects coming along? Keep us all up to date so we can continue to share. 73 Pressman
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 585 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 5:25 pm: |
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Scooterman, Have you made any progress on the antenna? 73 Pressman
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 591 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 2:02 pm: |
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833 How's the Model A coming? 237 How is the MGB panel looking. 73 Pressman
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Tank
New member Username: Tank
Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2012
| Posted on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 5:10 am: |
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Radion wise I'm installing a 40' tower and a Sirio 27 GP. To go with my RCI 2995dx 10M rig. Vehicle wise I'm reconditioning a 1963 Chevy 4x4 Suburban. I put in a 1987 Sub front axle for the disk brakes, new brake lines all around. Upgraded to PS & PB at the same time. New gas tank and all new gas lines and filters. New windshield. Patch panels for the floor and fender rust. New wheels & tires. New front and middle seats. A lot more little stuff. Look here if you like pictures of the build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=103447} |
Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2188 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 11:08 am: |
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Pressman- It was frame-up resto about 10 years ago. The "project" part of it is just keeping up with maint. and driving it. 73, 833 Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 602 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Monday, August 20, 2012 - 8:25 am: |
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833, Good deal on the resto. I get things back together again here I'll look for one again. Like the pickups and coupes and todors and fordors and AA's, shoot I like em all. Kinda like to do a 5 window w/rumble, no fenders, drop front axle and flathead 4cyl w/6:1 head, B cam, down draft twin carbs. Balance the crank and mill block for bearings. That and overdrive would make good cruzer. Even if I had the pickup I'd do the head, crank, cam, drill out the stock intake to run a B updraft carb. 73 Pressman
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Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2191 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Monday, August 20, 2012 - 11:12 am: |
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If you do all that, then it isn't a "real" A anymore. My stock A runs great and is a ton of fun to drive. Guys that mod the heck out of theirs seem to have slightly less fun, and tend to break down more. Have never been stranded in mine so far, it always gets home. Cannot say the same for some of the modded cars. If you want a hot rod (doesn't start with A or Z) why not just build one up with all modern stuff, frame and all? Then, you end up with a completely different car that is safer at higher speeds. If you are content to putt putt along at 45 MPH, then leave your A the way Henry Ford intended and have a blast. It's the most fun-to-bucks automobile ratio in the world. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 605 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 4:17 pm: |
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833, Understand what you're saying. I looked for a repop on a 5 window and no dice. If all new I could do Roadster with trunk or rumble or convertable truck with all new replacement parts frame up. This is an option that isn't too far beyond. The reliability is good if you don't go much beyond 80 hp. Even the all alluminum Donavan is around 80-110 hp. I've been in contact with gent who is doing a recast of A block to strengthen and add forged crank since that was always a weak point with Edsels unbalanced crank. Like I said i like them all and also favor the underdog. I had a '49 Ford Club Coupe chopped 3" dropped 2" with a 51 Merc Flattie with allum heads and a Fenton 2X2 intake with a pair of 98s. A really fun car! 73 73 Pressman
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Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2192 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2012 - 6:07 pm: |
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Fun for me (don't tell anyone I said this) is driving the 81 year old Ford past modern cars broke down on the side of the road, and giving a quick 'ahooga' while passing.... I believe Karma ignores this kind of taunting behaviour because of the cuteness of the horn. Perhaps we have hijacked the thread a little? If so, my apologies. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 611 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2012 - 6:31 pm: |
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833 All is understood, believe me! My favorite thing when I catch a ride with one of the local guys in his A is-----------Have You Driven A Ford Lately. Good to steel a thread once in a while, gets others thinking. 73 Pressman
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Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2195 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Monday, August 27, 2012 - 12:10 pm: |
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Yep, agreed. My '98 Ford 4x4 truck has 256K miles on it, and all that's been done is change the fluids regularly, replaced the belt tensioner a couple times, one clutch, and the battery. It's still as tight as the day I bought it brand new and drove it off the lot. Let's not discuss the '06 Chevy 4x4 truck I bought new... The Model A is more reliable than the Chevy truck. Sadly, I'm not joking. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 614 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Monday, August 27, 2012 - 5:58 pm: |
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833 Can we say made in China? I have an Oldsmobile (GM too). Paid 20k had 8k on odometer. At 37k miles the intake lifted and hydro locked the motor, broke the starter, flywheel and crank. GM said, "It wasn't me!" now at 115000 miles it has it's second motor, 4 starters, three intakes, new seals and the headliner fell on me, the paint took a dive, both driver side power windows quit. I put ceramic brakes on it to stop noise. What a pile! My yota truck sat since I broke my foot and face back on May 4th. It cranks up as soon as you hit the switch--made in Tennessee. 73 Pressman
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Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2197 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - 9:38 am: |
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Broke your foot and face?? Oh, NO! SO sorry to hear about that, OM. Hope you are healing up nicely. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Starface
Senior Member Username: Starface
Post Number: 3161 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 2:27 am: |
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Broke your foot and face. You really do need to stop punishing your self by kicking your face haha. 73 |
Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 617 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - 4:30 pm: |
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Doing pretty good for a diabetic, it takes a lot longer to heal. I'm out of the walking boot and in hard bottom shoes now. Still can't push the clutch in the P'up. I can finally drive the car though. Those boots they put you in take up a lot of space on the floor board plus I was unstable from the concussion. Still have a black eye, doc says it should go away when facial bones heal. I did lose some hearing in the rt ear. Wife says it's because I'm so close to being 60. 73 Pressman
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 620 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 6:23 pm: |
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I never said I do anything half way.LOL 73 Pressman
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Tech237
Moderator Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1611 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 8:45 am: |
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I know about the clutch issue - been fun driving a manual the last couple of weeks with just a broken toe. It's the first time in 20 plus years, that I have regretted that k=none of my cars are automatics. Tech237 N7AUS God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 623 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 3:00 pm: |
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237 Mine's a hydraulic clutch and it still hurts to push it to the floor. My Brother agrees with my wife in saying it's because I'm almost 60, all I can say is, that's a fine thing coming from a 79 year old, LOL. 73 Pressman
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 624 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2012 - 4:01 pm: |
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Back to projects: 833, are you running the mechanical brakes or changing to juice from like a 1934? 237, how are the guages coming? How is your tower and Suburban coming? 73 Pressman
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Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2201 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2012 - 10:44 am: |
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Mechanical brakes. They work just fine. I don't know why people insist on changing them. I can lock them up if needed, what more do you want? If you change to hydraulic brakes, why not add power steering while you're at it. Oh, then since you're going that far, might as well change to an automatic transmission and add A/C.... At some point, if not happy with the way the car is, you simply sell it and buy one that is already the way you like it. If you want to drive an old car, then drive it like it was built. If you want to drive a car that is plush with modern convenience, then simply don't buy an old car. But, if you buy or drive a car simply for its looks, then you are seriously in danger of losing your "man card". Turn in your man card on the way to your next manny/peddy appointment, please. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Unit199
Advanced Member Username: Unit199
Post Number: 756 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2012 - 1:09 pm: |
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I have had an ongoing "A" project for a few years. I am doing frame off restoration. The frame is ready and the body I have had to weld some splits in fenders and running boards. All it needs done now is body work and painted. Then the interior will have to be done. I agree on leaving the car original. I do not see what pleasure you would derive out of taking a piece of history and modernizing. I have already rebuilt a "T" back to new and sold it for a nice profit. HARVE UNIT199 CEF0210/CVC#018/HAM#010 Midwest 10 Meter Net Controller
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Press_man
Advanced Member Username: Press_man
Post Number: 625 Registered: 5-2008
| Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2012 - 6:21 pm: |
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Like my vehicles with plenty of testosteron. I used to drive Model T's in parades. People were so quick to step of the curb right in front of you not knowing the progression of a T's brakes. The '49 I had was a traditional build, all FOMOCO except heads and intake. Even the carbs were Ford issue. The only thing in the suspension that was changed was station wagon bushings since they were stronger than the coupe issues. We're keeping the thread alive though. I do agree with your points though about being happy with the car the way it is. I've had my check book with me and walked away because there was a Chevy in a Ford. Even if it's a rod I'm a purist. When Racing Pro Stock, we had an RB 440 then a Hemi in the Plymouth and not a F or C. No air, no fancy, just launch, pull three sticks and the chute and it was about that fast, 7.3 in the 1/4. I do have to get a peddy as you call it but it's because I'm dangerous with clippers and I'm diabetic, couild lose a toe. 73 Pressman
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Tech237
Moderator Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1615 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Monday, September 03, 2012 - 8:46 am: |
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My XYL complains about the MG not having power steering, and no A/C or decent heater. My attitude - who needs power steering, just good arm muscles, if it's hot - you put the top down (or at least remove the rear window), and if it's cold - top up, and put a coat on. The changes I mentionbed earlier are for two reasons - 1) SAFETY, and 2) MONEY - I know that once i have the bugs worked out of the electrical changes I can make some $$ selling them. Now if I can find a good Buick 215 - I might do an engine transplant because it was the V8 engine that was offered in many countries in the MG. Tech237 N7AUS God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Scooterman
Junior Member Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 43 Registered: 3-2012
| Posted on Monday, March 18, 2013 - 12:33 pm: |
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Scooterman, Have you made any progress on the antenna? Yes the antenna is up but I'm not proud of how I had to do it. The wife would not let go up on the roof to set up the tripod mount and 20' of pipe. I had to drive 5' of the pipe into the ground, and then I had to use Stand off mount to the deck railing and the five feet above that another stand off to the eave of the roof. That leaves about five feet unsupported. I suspect that one day after a real major storm I'll find it laying on the ground. We have had several storms with no damage so far. I'd like to stick it 60 feet up in the air, but the neighbors think it's ugly enough down low. I have an old 30' tower I'm going to repaint and I'm putting a three element YAGI on it and I don't care what the neighbors will say about that. I already have the rotator that I bought from Copper and will buy the Yagi from them too. |
Tech237
Moderator Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1660 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 18, 2013 - 3:28 pm: |
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Fuel gauge works and isa accurate (filled tank from empty to full - 9 gals) 2pts at a time. Now I have to make it fit the round gauge housing and get a piece of smokey plexiglass cut to fit. Next one to play with is the tacho. Scootsman - paint it battleship grey. It becomes almost invisible at anything over about 20ft. of course, you'll have this nice shiney yagi apparently floating in mid air.. Tech237 N7AUS God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Milkman21218
Advanced Member Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 523 Registered: 1-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - 12:10 am: |
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Thanks Simon for the battlehip grey tip! May paint antennas & masts just to hide them. Izzy CEF#502
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Scooterman
Member Username: Scooterman
Post Number: 50 Registered: 3-2012
| Posted on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - 2:04 pm: |
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Thanks Tech237. I have to remove all of the rust first. I found a posting in the instructables website in which you electroplate the rust off of the item you want to paint. I works really good too. I cleaned the rust off of some pretty nasty looking metal and it is easy to do except when you get in to large pieces like tower sections. Just have to make a tank big enough to fit it in. If you want more information on how to do this send me a PM or if the forum wishes I can write an article for general use. |
Gman78
New member Username: Gman78
Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2013
| Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 12:41 pm: |
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Hello, I have a question, not sure if anyone can help me or not. I have a old 1970's Lambert 4 element beam antenna, The guy I got it off of was a Ham operator, and he had the elements set for 10 meter. I need the measurements to set the elements for 11 meter. The only problem I have been running into is all the new 11 meter beam antennas have a 16ft boom, this Lambert has a 14ft 9inch boom. Can anyone help me to figure out the correct measurements to set the elements at for this antenna? Thank You, Greg (Gman78) |
Scrapiron63
Advanced Member Username: Scrapiron63
Post Number: 919 Registered: 12-2001
| Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 10:18 am: |
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The spacing of the elements should be the same for 10 and 11 meter. I would make the element lengths the same as the maco 4 element. I've done that with a couple of shorter beams and they worked well. One of them was a Hornet. |
Tech833
Moderator Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2266 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2013 - 1:12 pm: |
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Just make each element about 4-6 inches longer than it is now and you should be fine. Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Thunderbolt_canada
New member Username: Thunderbolt_canada
Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2013
| Posted on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 1:08 pm: |
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Does anyone want to convert a six(6) element eleven(11) meter Moonraker to a ten(10) meter antenna. I have a brand new one in the un-opened factory box. If you have a use for this project, reply. |
Sharpshooter007
Junior Member Username: Sharpshooter007
Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2009
| Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 - 2:19 pm: |
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Here is what might be an interesting project for mobile set-up. I was thinking about taking an analog signal meter, or something along that thought, and mounting it in a remotr location say in the "A" pillar of my truck. This way I would not have to look down to the radio to see rx/tx levels. Possiably using a meter from magnum or stryker seeilg that they are round. Attaching to the radio with an addition of a mic jack. Any thoughts? Or am I just crazy.... |