| Author |
Message |
    
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 174
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 5:21 pm: | 
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Dear Lon/Tech808,
My antenna blew down last year in one of the storms that hit Florida. I am now getting the stuff together to set my station back up ie. polypaser,tvifilter, connectors with the groung screw on them, barrell connectors, 213 coax that you suggested, etc.etc. I saw the pics of your setup and I like it cause things appear to be done right. I live in the lightning capital of the world and I know grounding is essential. I have set up station before but I never had poly phasers or anything like that, as for gounding, I grounded the antenna pole. Now to the question, do you have , or the forum have a guide to setting up a station properly? Or is it a hunt on the forum for how do it stuff? I feel like I have been lashed since having my profile priveledges taken away so please be kind.
Wildrat
Mark |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 190
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 6:40 pm: |
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Well, I got my Copper delivery today, my Kevlar rope, my GPK for my I-Max, and I went to Lowes and Chesters electronics and got some more grounding components. I think I am ready to get started on the re-build. Now all I need is a good healthy body willing to be supervised by an ex 20 year military Wildrat. It won't be fun job, but at least you will be able to go home when it's done.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 195
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 10:31 pm: |
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Unpacked my Copper delivery this AM, everything there as usual. I have most everything I need now to get started except help. I have made a deal with my Eldest son in the Army. He has been after me to give my schwinn racing bike to him for triathlons. I can't ride the thing anymore so i called him and worked the deal. I'm surprized he's not on the roof now in the dark putting the antenna up. I laid down the ground rules, he does the work, I give the orders, he follows the orders regardless of how he thinks it should be done. I will listen to him though in case I miss something. Like I missed the rung on the ladder and I'm getting ready to fall to my untimely death. The wife is already after me about getting on the roof. What could happen, i fall, I roll, I fall 7', I bounce, I land on the dawg on the bounce, I get up, I shake off the dirt, I drink some ice tea, I get back on the roof to go again.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 220
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 9:32 am: |
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I like getting boxes from Copper, I should order another grab box and see what I get this time. I know the last one was worth the money.Some of the stuff I have no need for, but you get your monies worth. I am cleaning my station area up, throwing stuff away that has accumulated in to a pile. I will be glad when that antenna is up, maybe I will show a bit more initiative and get it done. It just seems like the antenna will never get up there. I wish I had never got hurt, if I had not gotten hurt that antenna would be up, but I guess that is true for others on the forum. These rainy days just make me miserable. Oh well, I guess I'll get my claw so I can pickup stuff off the floor.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 209
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 6:12 pm: |
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Guess I will have to look up Clearwater on the map. I occasionally go to Tampa Bay, St. Pete, Sarasota and Venice to fish. Might have to make a little side trip and get that antenna up for you if it's not to difficult. Won't be headed that way till 2006 though. Georgia for Thanksgiving and Iowa for Christmas and California for Work....
Tim
CEF-634 |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 284
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 8:47 pm: |
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Wildrat if you need the help let me know and I'll be there... never know I might just do another sneak like i did on Sinker and just show up!
Or maybe even if Sinker can get away he can stop by here 1st and we can both head your way ..
Either way My hands are free to give a helping hand on putting up that Imax for ya ..
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 285
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 8:49 pm: |
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oh and one other thing Wilrat...
I got me a new Pl259 end on my coax free for just sending you to that CB Shop in Lakeland
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 222
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 8:53 pm: |
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I am hoping that it will go up soon, I am getting impatient and that can't do nothing but lead me into trouble. I'm already thinking I can get the tripod up there, and then it'll be something else, and so on. I am also thinking bigger box, although I know that what I have is big enough, but alas bigger is better, plus the fact when someone ask, I can say oh not much, with the sly grin that a rat gives, and then sheepishly say 2K, oh I mean 2K dead key, swings about 8K. Of course I'll have to run some bigger wires to the radio. Put solar panels on the roof, get a wind generator, and a big coil that I can put next to the power lines to induce voltage from them to feed the thing that eats and wants more. But you can always stop by, I'm usually here in a drug induced stupor. Oh well, Patzerozero, where he used to stay over there by rosery/nursery or somewhere is like just south of where I am. Oh Well, I guess I'll go look at Fatboy amps somemore and figure out how to con my wife into thinking that I should get a great big amp because it will be cheaper than going to the doctor,since the RF energy will fuse the rest of the bones in my back. I guess I could sell my 72 Chevelle with the blown 454. Of course I may need it to turn a generator for the amp.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1813
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 3:57 pm: |
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south of rt 60 lead to clearwater beach, south of the scientologists headquarters, south of the 'fruit stand' where mr dimmit used to sell cars years ago, south of morton plant hospital, south of the shopping center that used to house wynn dixie,  . and just think, now i'm here awaiting the snow...at least i'm on an island with a beach  |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 228
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 7:44 pm: |
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I'm here,almost ready to sweat.
Wildrat
P.S. I am suppose to call Joe at 11 PM. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 230
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 8:03 am: |
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Will soon have a new addition to the Wildrat family. The CB family that is, A Davemade M400 base unit, and it will sit gathering dust till the antenna climbs up on the roof.
Wildrat |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1823
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 8:54 am: |
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&  |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 276
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 9:00 am: |
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Today is suppose to be the day for the new arrival, I guess I better get to the bolt place and get the tower bolts.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Airplane1
Advanced Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 634
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 2:14 pm: |
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Congrats, is this the first or do you have other children?
Kids are great!
AP |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 922
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 6:53 pm: |
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Am i missing something here...LOL...
I was searching all the posts above on news
about your new boy or girl.
Your new arrival is a Davemade Amp is what i
gathered.
|
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 284
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 7:27 pm: |
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I believe it's a boy. It's sitting here in front of me not making much noise. So based on that I think it is a boy, and it has a boy's name "Dave" although I think I will change it's name to "Squeaky". This is a better name for a rat.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Capt205
Junior Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 37
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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Wildrat....Did you get that antenna up? I'm in North Tampa, and can help out if you want to have an antenna raising get togather.
That's how we did it back in the day.... |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 383
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 6:54 pm: |
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No, I have not got it up yet. I have a tilt base and a chainfall so I should be able to get it up one of these days. I received my last pieceI needed before I could put the antenna up. I just need to get busy and solder some connectors on the coax. I still need to mount the polyphasers, drive in ground rods, build a grounding buss, finish clening and organizing my corner, etc.etc. I should have the station up before my grandchildren have children, thats in about 11 years. I appreciate the offer though, I may still need help though if my eldest son doesn't have time to help me. So Thanks You for the offer!The problem is I don't know how I am going to feel from day to day. Yesterday and today have not been good because of the rain. So we will see what tomorrow will bring.
Wildrat
CEF674
P.S. I think I'm turning into a hermit. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 386
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 7:48 pm: |
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It's suppose to be cool and sunny with a slight breeze tomorrow so I may play with my tower tomorrow. I am helping the wife at home right now with some tax stuff. I'm putting worksheets in folders so she will not have to do it when tax season gets here. She is a CPA and she knows I get bored, I get even more bored when I'm doing that for her, but she appreciates it. Plus you never know might mean the difference between a new mic or radio or nothing.
Wildrat
CEF674
P.S. Rats are suppose to be sneaky and kaniving aren't they? |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1000
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 1:40 pm: |
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LOL...Wildrat
You sneaky rat you...LOL
Good Luck! |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 391
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 8:00 pm: |
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Well I have my desk and table somewhat organized now, still not the way I want it but it's closer.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 392
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 8:44 pm: |
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Well the wife got rid of the cypress bookcase in the living room. I uilt it back in the early eighties. It's now on top of my table, now I don't have to build shelves. What I have discovered is that I have more meters than I do radio's. Oh well at least I'm making progress. I almost have enough room now to start making jumpers if I could find somewhere to plug the soldering gun in after I find it. Why is that wives just figure they have to annoy us every now and then.
And there was silence in heaven!
The women stopped talking!
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1002
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 11:28 pm: |
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Wildrat,
I had to go to a smaller desk as my big desk
was blocking my cold air return vent for
my furnace. Smaller desk is barely big enough for
my radio...LOL...Gotta go through this every winter as i have no room to put the larger desk anywhere else. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 394
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 8:26 am: |
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I'll have plenty of room I think once I sort things out, and as long as I don't get given anything else to make my life easier, not unless of course it's a brand new Cobra 2000 or a 142gtl then I would make a little more room. Of course I'll take any free radio. Maybe they will have some almost free radios at the ham fest this weekend. Of course It will have to be small since I persuaded my wife in going along by bribery. I told her we could ride the bikes over. She figures this is good because I won't be able to carry much. Oh well see ya'll I have to go to the store this morning.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Capt205
Junior Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 38
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 2:26 pm: |
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Wildrat...I'll be at that Hamfest bright and early Saturday AM. You never know what you might find. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 401
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 10:46 pm: |
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I'll be there Saturday, but not early, maybe about 9 or 10.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 404
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 6:39 pm: |
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Well, changes, changes, I won't be going to the Hamfest Saturday, if I am able to go it will be Sunday. Hopefully I wake up in the morning feeling better, this cool air down here is causing me to hurt all over my lower body. Glad I don't live where it really gets cold. I guess if I feel better I will work on the station somemore. Work on the grounds or something, thats an idea, my youngest will be doing some work over here tomorrow, I'll let him hammer the ground rods into the ground, then maybe mount the polyphaser.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 407
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 9:53 am: |
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I have the phaser, ground rods, enclosure out to put up but the young son has not shown up yet, of course it is nearly 10am so he probably is not up yet. The difference of his coming over early and mine. When he gets here he will want something to eat, so thers another hour. Such is life.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1008
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 11:39 am: |
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Sounds like your making some progress on your
project. Hope you feel better!bvghhhhhh
\]
P.S. The latter part of my post is from my cat.
She seen the rat...LOL
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 408
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 2:06 pm: |
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I am out putting the polyphaser, and ground rods in.My little one did show up but after 12 of course. I had already put one ground rod in. Luckily down here in Florida where I am at the ground is sandy because it used to be a beach a few millenia ago. You can usually push the rod in by hand part way and hammer a little. I need to get a couple of hammer drives, the plastic anchors are not holding the enclosure to the wall very well, it'll work for now. I hope the ground rod went through some water on the way down. Going to go now, need to finish before my batteries aar dead.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 409
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 4:56 pm: |
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The polyphaser is installed along with it's ground, three ground rods in parallel 10 feet apart so they don't overlap in their sphere of influence. I am quitting today, time for the weekly shower. I remember when I could put three ground rods and a enclosure on the wall in no time at all, now it takes nearly all day. See Ya'll
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Moonraker
Intermediate Member
Username: Moonraker
Post Number: 105
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 6:44 pm: |
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Try this the next time you are driving a ground rod.
1.Take a hammer and make an indention in the ground. About 2 inches wide and 2 inches deep.
2.Drive the rod in the ground a few inches and pull it back out.
3.Fill the hole with water and push the rod in the ground as far as you can with your hands, pullthe rod up enough to let more water into the hole. Keep pushing the rod in and out until it is deep enough, add more water as you need it.
You may have to drive the rod with a hammer to get it all the way down, but I got well over 6 feet of an 8 foot rod in the ground by doing this
If this works for your type of soil as well as it does for mine, it will save time and cuss words
The only thing I'm not sure about is if you would get a better ground by driving the rod with a hammer all the way, as it would be tighter in the ground
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Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 410
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 10:35 am: |
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Moonraker, putting ground rods in down here is easy beacause of the sandy soil, it's me that is the problem. I do a little bit, take a break, do little more ,take a break, so on and so on. Today I will be on break all day.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 414
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 6:55 pm: |
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got a couple more ground rods from Lowes today. I did end up atthe Ham Fest in Sarasota. Since today was Sunday about a 1/3 of the vendors were gone. I did see the fella I got the tower off of and he told me that the Clearwater Ham club does free testing for ham lisc. I also got some coax seal to put around the connectors that are exposed to the elements(the ones outside) I also got a couple of caps for the connectors that are exposed outside till I get around to hooking a coax upto them. I still feel like krap. I think it was the hammering of the ground rods. I don't think it was good for the spine. I wish my boy's would be here when I'm doing this stuff. Bad thing is I know this stuff isn't good for me to be doing but I will be out again tomorrow (Monday)horsing around again. I gues it's a male thing. My wife has continuing education starting Wednesday so she's going to drag me along, it's at Disney in Orlando. I'll be by myself during the day so I should be pretty bored. It's more for her though, she doesn't have to be alone at night. It'll give me some rest, then I can come home in a few days and hopefully get this radio going. One thing about it, it'll be done right, or at least as well as I know to do it, and the best setup I will have ever done. When I turn that radio on, I will be heard, and I will hear, might hear to well.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 424
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 7:28 pm: |
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The single point ground system is almost done. I have all the ground rods in and hooked up.(6 in all plus two that I put in when I changed the service out) I still need to tie in a sub panel into the system and ground the equip but thats will be easy. Hard stuff is done. I need to start making some jumpers.
Wildrat |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1028
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 06, 2005 - 8:35 am: |
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Good Deal! Your on your way!
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 437
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 3:45 pm: |
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Well my oldest is here putting the tower together, he's putting the top piece on now. I don't know what to do about the antenna. Well it's been a few hours now. We decided just to put the tower up without the antenna. We got it up half way and had to put it back down. The chain fall was working fine, except the chain is too short. I decided just to quit for the day before someone got hurt. I may call the guy I got the tilt plate from to come over with his lift truck to lift the tower.
WILDRAT |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1037
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 6:40 pm: |
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What do you mean? "you don't know what to
do about the antenna". Well anyhow, sounds
like things are moving.
Yeah, a lift truck would be nice!
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 442
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 3:36 pm: |
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What I meant by"I don't know what to do about the antenna" is this. The tower lays down going toward the street. The end of the tower is about 5 feet from the street. If I put the antenna on I will be blocking the street. I may have to get up at around 3 in the morning and put this thing up so I don't block the street.
Wildrat |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 357
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 7:28 pm: |
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how high does the lift truck go up? 50 foot you could just lift the tower and install the antenna at that time too... but I'm sure you knew that already, your a smart guy, If there is a will there is a way.
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1047
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 8:21 pm: |
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Yeah Wildrat i have a friend with the same problem as you./ When he lays his tower down his beam is blocking a street./ The police around his area have already warned him twice for blocking the street./ That's what i thought you meant./
JIM/PA/CEF 375
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Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 445
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 11:11 pm: |
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I have a 100 feet of 5/16th cable on my winch on the Jeep. I put a pulley of sorts up today.The oldest is suppose to be back on Tuesday to try again, not unless I get it up first. The boy has no common sense. Ihave a 9,500 lb. winch on the Jeep and he says Dad that little winch isn't strong enough to lift the tower. I should have told him it will lift the tower and his Ford Rangy Smell'n Baby P/U. I've got about 1 1/2 weeks to get it going or it'll be waiting till the new year.
Willdrat |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1049
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 11:51 pm: |
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My 4000 lb winch lifts mine up and down
easily as long as you get the correct angle
on the cable and proper height attached to
tower./
I inspect cable for any breaks or smashed spots,
then replace it when needed. Don't plan on raising or lowering mine for a long time. Hopefully, just to replace coax and alittle maintenance in the far future.
Well, hope you get that thing up soon! |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 448
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 8:47 am: |
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Me too! |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 461
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 4:21 pm: |
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I got the winch hooked up after my doctor visit and it works, tomorrow I will hoist the tower up if my son comes over and bolts up the top section. We will see.
WilRat |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 469
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 8:05 pm: |
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My last post here is M.I.A.
I saved a copy though. So here it is with the very latest:
I am starting to get frustrated now, which is bad. My son decided he was not coming over today. Maybe I should decide to repocess the race bike I gave him in exchange for his help with my antenna. I guess I will try to do it myself, not today though. My wife can help me get the tower section out to bolt on. Then maybe my youngest will come over and do some yard work for my wife. I will grab him for a little while, so he can help me out.
WildRat
Talked to my eldest and now he is not coming over Saturday to help. He told me they changed his schedule. My wife told when she got home from work that she is going to have my youngest come over on Friday and that I could borrow him for a couple of minutes. I think it will be more than a couple of minutes. I should have left that tower at the ham fest, then I would have already been talking. I know the tower will be better in the long run, but it's doing no good laying on the ground. Oh well, thinkI'll make a jumper.
WildRat
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Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 367
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 12:06 am: |
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Wildrat, No offence what so ever here and I hope you don't get mad or take me wrong , but you had other help waiting on the side for your ok to come over and help you, Now you are starting to get frustrated,which is bad as you pointed out.
Like I told Sinker,I don't and never do asks for anything in return for my help other then a life time of friendship, I have a saying You can NEVER have to many friends..
So with that said my "FRIEND" Stop getting frustrated and Stop being so hardhead on yourself and just asks for the help, it's just in reach away and still waiting for your word "PLEASE" come help me.
your Friend George
aka
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 471
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 9:22 am: |
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I appreciate that Starface! I know you and Sinker are just a phone call away. I am not being hard headed about that. It's my son. You see I had this Schwinn racing bike that I bought years ago when I could ride. I saved every penny I could scrape up to get that bike over months. That bike was like $585 back in the early 80's. I was a single parent,in the military, worked on the flightline,etc. Stop crying now. My son is now 22. He has been asking me about the bike, and I kept saying no. When I buy or aquire someting, I take care of it. Thats why a 21 year old bike looked new. When I would ride 40-80 miles, i'd come back wash the bike, clean the rims etc.etc. Well after several surgeries on my back,I finally decided that I would not ride again, not that bike anyway. So I told him if he would help me with the antenna tower, I would give him the bike. My mistake I decided to go ahead and let him take the bike. Now I can't get him around here to help me, at least not on my schedule but his. Thats why I am frustrated. But I will keep my word, and one day when I'm gone he will say to himself I should have helped Dad with that antenna, then it would not have fell on him and cut him into triangle french fries.
WildRat |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 370
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 11:47 pm: |
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I understand totally, Maybe it's just me , The biggest part in this body of mind is my good heart to help others and ask nothing in return cuz I know my biggest reward is waiting for me at our "FATHER"'s Home..
Anyways can't wait to hear ya on the air soon!
Take care and don't hurt yourself or get hurt
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 480
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 9:16 am: |
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I hope not to hurt myself. It just annoys me that I can't do this stuff anymore. Before my injury I would have put the tower up myself, no help at all,thats way I have always done things, never had help around. This is where the problem lies, I am starting to convince myself that I can go do it. Maybe I'll just build a jumper. My little one will be here tomorrow (Friday) so maybe it will go up. I keep forgetting about my marine antenna. I am going to put it on the tower too,maybe 15' lower though.
Thanks again StarFace!
Wildrat |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 308
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 6:56 pm: |
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Wildrat, leave all the parts out and who knows maybe some elf's will come by and put that sucker up for you.
I am on your side of the Sand Pile on occasion, sometimes for work sometimes for fun - always for either fishing or visiting relatives so not a big deal to give you some of my time, plus I wanna luck at some of those cars I saw on your site.
Of course right now I am busier than heck and won't be freed up till after the new year - a long time I know but if your not up and running by then George and I will be heading your way to get your tower up, you on the air and reposes the bike for you.
Seen pics of you and your no little guy, neither is George, in fact I am the smallest of the three of us but I have worked hard to go form 267 to 235 and still losing a little everyday. Now I know your back is bad and you can't overdo but no worries as George can be the muscle and I will be the monkey and climb the tower if needed.
I know what you mean about being annoyed about not being able to do it yourself, trust me I can relate.
Yup - it's time to GETter DONE...
Tim
CEF-634 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 498
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 11:50 am: |
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My youngest did not show up.
Wildrat |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1061
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 12:26 pm: |
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Sit those boys down and let them know santa
does not exist until the tower goes up...LOL
Good luck and hope you get that thing up
soon! Also good luck to SINKER in getting
his stuff put together!
|
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 504
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 5:28 pm: |
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When they are 21 & 22 you can't tell them anything. Santa did talk to them though. Santa told them they weren't too big to get their bass's kippered and that if they didn't start giving their Dad some help they wouldn't be getting any socks for christmas. Seems like it might have sunk in because they were walking around mumbling something about rocks. My youngest told me he would be in the AM. So I will try again tomorrow to get that tower up.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 522
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 4:58 pm: |
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The Tower is close to going up now,just a couple of technical issues that have to get ironed out, which won't be difficult. It's good to find these things now.When it's done with I will be able to tilt the tower by myself.
Wildrat |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1075
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 6:41 pm: |
|
Good Deal Wildrat! Hopefully you get
your technical issues straightened out
quick and that tower standing verticle
with the sun glistening off it...
JIM/PA
|
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 526
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 8:54 pm: |
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The Tower is up! See post under antenna for more rambling text.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 536
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:16 am: |
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I am back from my Mom and Dads in Mobile. My Dad did not have any of his old test equipment. My Pops did give me an RCA Vac. tube voltmeter, acouple of old AM/FM tube radios(ones playing now),a chest of old tubes, most probably for color TV,some old books, and a circuit layout board. So now it's time to get the CB going here.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3359
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 2:02 pm: |
|
Thoes old VTVM's are nice I had a heath for years but went to a digital one. |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 537
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 6:06 pm: |
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Yep, I had a couple of Heath Kit VTVM's myself. One I built and one I traded a broke down motorcycle for. I gave them to my Dad but he did not have them anymore. I believe a Thieving nephew (a sisters son) probably took them. He would not know what to do with them, except pawn them because he is the result of garbage in garbage out.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 558
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 2:41 pm: |
|
I am finishing up my PolyPhaser move, should have some new photo's when done. I used 4 GA. copper from the phaser to ground. There are 4 separate grounds going to the phaser, I slid a piece of 7/8ths copper pipe over the grounds and silver soldered them all together, also soldered all the ground rod cables together. Now I need to go get the ladder and finish running the antenna feed ground the rest of the way down to the ground to tie it in with the rest of the system.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 410
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 1:21 am: |
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Get-R-Done!!
Till next time
Starface
CEF476
KI4NBE
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 565
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
|
I am soldering connectors this morning, will work on conduit for coax after that. Hopefully my young one will be here when I get done so he can pull the coax thru the attic to the other end of the house to the radios.
Happy New Year and a GODLY one also!
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 592
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
|
My son was over today and he got the coax run thru the attic, away from A/C lines, ducts, pipes and anything else that might be up there. Used porcelain insulators to hold the coax. So I just need to solder the connectors on and I'll be somewhat ready to turn it on. I still need another polyphaser for my VHF line, I guess I will order it soon.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1126
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 11:37 pm: |
|
Sounds like your almost ready to crank
things up.
Maybe Dx will roll soon.
CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 595
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 8:43 am: |
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Almost ready, indeed I am.
1) I have to do the grounds for the equipment.
2) Run the ground wire out for the equipment to the ground rods.
3) Make some some holes in the wall to route the coax thru to my corner.
4) Solder the ends on the coax that got run thru the attic.
5) Hook up all the jumpers to the equipment.
6) Make a 12VDC buss for the mobile radio's and for use when testing other equipment.
7)Hook up the antenna switch, TVI filter, dummy load, etc.
8) Install the whole house surge protector to my AC lines coming to my computers and radio's.
I think that's about it. Should be done in a month, so be listening for me.
Y'all better start posting the freq's your on so I can annoy, I mean give a shout out for ya. Oh, I need to send my QSO card out to the printers, oh yea I don't have one. Anyone got one I can use?
I have been trying to get my son to draw me up one with my rat on it. I have a picture of it in my mind, but unlike my son, I can't take that picture and put it to paper.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC
|
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 597
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 7:06 pm: |
|
Got the coax thru the wall and got the ground for the equip hooked up outside. I just need to put it thru the wall and hook it up. Getting close now.
Wildrat |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1129
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 7:38 pm: |
|
Keep plugin away at it.. |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 602
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
|
got the ground wire thru the wall to the equipment ground buss. Fixing to start cleaning up the mess so I'll have a spot on the table I can solder. Will be putting up a couple of pics later.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 332
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 8:38 pm: |
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Looking forward to the pics. Glad your station is about ready to hit the switch and and start getting out and surfing the airwaves. No I must be honest, the thought of that scary ass Rat on a QSL card scares me.
Keep working we might both get back on the air at the same time - I figure at least two weeks on my end.
Tim
CEF-634 |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 604
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 9:04 pm: |
|
Equipment grounds, two more connectors to solder outside, and hook up all the jumpers is all that's left now.
The Rat has not made it too a card yet. One of these days it will.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 608
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:16 pm: |
|
Doesn't look like I will make it for the net's tomorrow. I still have some things to do, but I am close, and I am tired
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 616
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
|
Got the 12VDC hooked up to the panel. Starting to hook up the equipment. Having a couple of small snags, nothing serious. Waiting on another PolyPhaser from Copper for the Marine radio, should be here tomorrow. Still waiting on a switch to come in, it's been back-order since before Christmas. I have posted some more pictures, but they were not there yet last I looked. Maybe I will be ready for this Sunday, it's hard to say. I fell out of a chair yesterday, so I am moving a bit slow today, and probably the next few, I move slow anyway so I am nearly at a stop now. You would have to take time lapse pictures to see me move.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 8918
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 6:23 pm: |
|
Wildrat,
Your Pictures that you submitted to the Members Pictures area of the Copper Forum is controlled by the Copper Forummaster and he is the only one who can approve/post them for you.
He is on vacation now, but he does have his laptop with him so I am sure he will get them posted as soon as he can. 
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 618
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 7:52 pm: |
|
Roger.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 635
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 9:48 pm: |
|
Well so far I have the marine vhf radio working. I had a good radio ck with the Bellaire bridge operator. He said I was 5 X 5. There is not much boat comm. out there right now, so I shut it off. I will quit now. I should have the CB going tomorrow sometime.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1150
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 6:05 pm: |
|
keep us up-to-date. Sounds like your quest
is almost done.
You should be able to get on Nets this Sunday. |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 638
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 7:47 pm: |
|
I am on the air now.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 639
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 8:10 pm: |
|
getting some good reports on the radio, I may have to put the 3900 in the Jeep and bring the S9 in. Then they would be talking. It's great when ya got a good sounding station. It may have taken months, but I guess it was worth it. I already got guys talking about doing to theirs what I did to mine. The single point grounding, polyphasers, grounding the equipment. I can't get no one on 13 though.
Thanks everyone for your help and for putting up with me with the questions.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1151
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 9:45 pm: |
|
Just glad to hear your on the air! |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 436
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:27 pm: |
|
Great!!!! Time to turn my radio on and start shouting for you on 13
Till next time
Starface
CEF476
KI4NBE
HAM181
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 640
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
|
brought the S9 in and put the 3900 in the Jeep, now were talking.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 641
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 3:26 pm: |
|
Just remembered why I quit radio before. That's because of some people that can't be civil to each other. People keying and playing music for minutes at a time. Individuals coming from other channels and causing trouble. It's just disheartening for people to act like that. I can understand why the HAM guys are worried about what kind of crowd they may be getting since the code is going away. It will be 50/50, some good decent people, and some low lifers. Oh well I guess I'll go back to listening.
Wildrat
CEF674
EGCCC |
Milkman21218
New member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 5:20 pm: |
|
I noticed in a earlier post that Wildrat speaks of kevlar rope.Where can I find it? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 9077
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 6:49 pm: |
|
Milkman21218,
Try doing a GOOGLE search for "kevlar rope" and look for companies / places near you that carry it.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 721
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 3:43 pm: |
|
Your Welcome, I'm just glad we were able to get the info to you finally. I was beginning to think I was in China.
Mark |
