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Shelters open during extended power outages following storm
FYI....
CLEARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The weather event on 3/16/2025 in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania has caused power outages throughout the county--
To assist residents in the affected areas, the following locations have been opened by the Clearfield County Emergency Management Department for residents that need to shelter, charge devices or power medical equipment-- You can just show up at these locations. You do not need to call--
The Old Restaurant 28766 Frenchville-Karthaus Hwy Frenchville, has extension cords placed outside for people that need to charge devices.
Karthaus Firehall, 10 Hurxthal St, Karthaus, PA 16845,? is open for anyone needing to charge or shelter--
Bethany Retreat Center, 1031 Germania Rd, Frenchville, PA 16836, is open if anyone needs to charge anything or if anyone needs to shelter with medical devices.
Madera Firehall, 2720 Main St, Madera, PA 16661, is open for anyone that needs to charge devices or plug in medical equipment or anyone in need of a shelter¡ª
Glendale Firehall, 946 Water St, Coalport, PA 16627, is open as a shelter and charging station.
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
|
Everyone
As I'm sure everyone is aware, earlier today a fairly strong weather front moved through the area bringing with it gusty winds,?rain and hail.? And even a tornado watch!
As the storm moved through our area it's progress?was tracked by an impromptu weather net on the W3CPA 147.255 repeater with Tim K5TEL stepping in as the?central operator,?relaying reports to the National Weather Service State College Skywarn station?WX3CTP, which was also on frequency.? .Stations that participated were: K5TEL, W3EOD, N3TBD, KC2RZP, K3SKS, N3PUL, N3RBJ and N3SPW.? Please forgive me if I missed anyone.? We lost power here as the storm front moved through West Decatur and I discovered my shack battery backup power system is no longer backing up.? That took me off the air as the storm moved through?West Decatur.? But now I have a new project!
Anyhow, this was a really good effort for our amateur radio group.? The NWS had the information they needed and was better able to track the strom's progress through Clearfield County due to the information provided.? Thank you to everyone who participated.
Thank you.
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
|
TORNADO WATCH has been issued for Clearfield, Center, Blair and additional counties effective until 7 PM this evening.? A map showing the?updated watch area is attached.
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 12:34?PM John Szwarc via <johnszwarc= [email protected]> wrote: The TORNADO WATCH for Jefferson and Indiana?Counties is currently effective until 4 PM today.
Carmine K3CWP reports they are planning to activate Amateur Radio station at the State College NWS forecasting?office beginning at 1PM today.? They will be rotating through several regional amateur radio repeaters looking for weather reports, one of which is expected to be the 147.255 Rockton Mountain repeater.? Listen for the NWS State College Skywarn station WX3CTP.? Operator will likely?be Matt or Carmine, although?others could operate the station?as well. ###
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 12:12?PM John Szwarc via <johnszwarc= [email protected]> wrote: The Pittsburgh National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO?WATCH for multiple Western Pennsylvania counties, including?Jefferson and Indiana.? As you?know, these counties border Clearfield County to the West.? There is an attached?map showing the watch area outline.??
To my knowledge?the State College NWS office has not issued any watch warnings yet.? SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 8:04?AM John Szwarc via <johnszwarc= [email protected]> wrote: WEATHER ALERT..... - Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move through Central PA this afternoon.
- The main threat with these storms will be damaging winds, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
- Locally heavy rainfall may lead to isolated flooding concerns.
- Strong wind gusts in excess of 40 mph will be possible outside of thunderstorms.
SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
See below for an attachment?with further weather forecast details.
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
|
The TORNADO WATCH for Jefferson and Indiana?Counties is currently effective until 4 PM today.
Carmine K3CWP reports they are planning to activate Amateur Radio station at the State College NWS forecasting?office beginning at 1PM today.? They will be rotating through several regional amateur radio repeaters looking for weather reports, one of which is expected to be the 147.255 Rockton Mountain repeater.? Listen for the NWS State College Skywarn station WX3CTP.? Operator will likely?be Matt or Carmine, although?others could operate the station?as well. ###
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 12:12?PM John Szwarc via <johnszwarc= [email protected]> wrote: The Pittsburgh National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO?WATCH for multiple Western Pennsylvania counties, including?Jefferson and Indiana.? As you?know, these counties border Clearfield County to the West.? There is an attached?map showing the watch area outline.??
To my knowledge?the State College NWS office has not issued any watch warnings yet.? SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 8:04?AM John Szwarc via <johnszwarc= [email protected]> wrote: WEATHER ALERT..... - Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move through Central PA this afternoon.
- The main threat with these storms will be damaging winds, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
- Locally heavy rainfall may lead to isolated flooding concerns.
- Strong wind gusts in excess of 40 mph will be possible outside of thunderstorms.
SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
See below for an attachment?with further weather forecast details.
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
|
The Pittsburgh National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO?WATCH for multiple Western Pennsylvania counties, including?Jefferson and Indiana.? As you?know, these counties border Clearfield County to the West.? There is an attached?map showing the watch area outline.??
To my knowledge?the State College NWS office has not issued any watch warnings yet.? SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 8:04?AM John Szwarc via <johnszwarc= [email protected]> wrote: WEATHER ALERT..... - Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move through Central PA this afternoon.
- The main threat with these storms will be damaging winds, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
- Locally heavy rainfall may lead to isolated flooding concerns.
- Strong wind gusts in excess of 40 mph will be possible outside of thunderstorms.
SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
See below for an attachment?with further weather forecast details.
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
|
WEATHER ALERT..... - Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to move through Central PA this afternoon.
- The main threat with these storms will be damaging winds, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
- Locally heavy rainfall may lead to isolated flooding concerns.
- Strong wind gusts in excess of 40 mph will be possible outside of thunderstorms.
SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to monitor the 147.255 repeater for possible traffic from the National Weather Service State College Office.? In the absence of a local Weather Net, SKYWARN spotters may also submit significant?weather reports directly?to the State?College NWS at:
See below for an attachment?with further weather forecast details.
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
|
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
I'll second that!? I didn't get to turn any knobs or play radio last night?as I seemed to be too busy talking.? But last night's Radio Night was a fun evening and we got the HF station?up and running.??
If you didn't hear while we were there, Allen agreed to leave the "field drop" antenna coax in place so we can attach the antenna of our choice as needed.? A second coax will go to the yet to be determined HF antenna on the tower.? Going forward that will give us the option to have two HF antennas during operations.??
Next on the agenda is our March meeting on Thursday March 27th at 7 PM.? I believe?Carmine K3CWP will finally be giving a brief talk on the National Weather Service State College operations and EmComm communications.? It should be an interesting?evening and I'm looking forward to it.??
Oh. and the Tuesday weekly net.? Don't forget about the net!
John?
On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 9:26?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: Thanks everyone for a nice gathering!
Now antenna, so we can really "reach out"
Hi all, will try to come early, to look at possible antenna solutions, while day light
Here is a link to an antenna?I was actually thinking about buying?for myself. Not sure if it would work for our purposes or not.
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 9:17?PM Richard Brnik via <rich.brnik= [email protected]> wrote: Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going.
Rich
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Thanks everyone for a nice gathering!
Now antenna, so we can really "reach out"
Hi all, will try to come early, to look at possible antenna solutions, while day light
Here is a link to an antenna?I was actually thinking about buying?for myself. Not sure if it would work for our purposes or not.
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 9:17?PM Richard Brnik via <rich.brnik= [email protected]> wrote: Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going.
Rich
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Hi all, will try to come early, to look at possible antenna solutions, while day light
Here is a link to an antenna?I was actually thinking about buying?for myself. Not sure if it would work for our purposes or not.
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 9:17?PM Richard Brnik via <rich.brnik= [email protected]> wrote: Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going.
Rich
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
Everyone,
On Saturday April 5th the Eastern PA ARES, Western PA ARES and the Pennsylvania American Red Cross will jointly be conducting by a Simulated Emergency Test, or SET, from 10 am to noon local time.
Attached to this email is a PowerPoint document that was distributed to all ARES Emergency Coordinators and Red Cross EmComm Team leaders which gives an overview of what is planned. Further information will be made available on a schedule outlined in the PowerPoint.
Here in Clearfield County we have the opportunity to participate in this SET and contribute to the overall success of the exercise. The exercise is designed for amateur radio and Red Cross Emergency Service operators, but I see no reason why we couldn¡¯t add GMRS operators to our local operations. If you are interested in participating please reach out to me so we can assemble a team. I¡¯ll build a list and let you know as plans become more detailed.
Thank you,
John N3SPW
814-553-5649
|
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Here is a link to an antenna?I was actually thinking about buying?for myself. Not sure if it would work for our purposes or not.
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 9:17?PM Richard Brnik via <rich.brnik= [email protected]> wrote: Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going.
Rich
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
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? net log for March 11th. n3spw? John k3pj? Phil kc3khv Dave kc3zuf? Josiah k5tel Tim k3dml Dana ? ? Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going. ? On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars=[email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good ? ?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna? This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ?? Are there other antennas we should consider?? ? ? Good morning, Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated. Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting. So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration?? ? Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.? Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message -------- Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions. This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.?? To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment. At this point our choices are as follows: 1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.?? 2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county. 3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building. If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.? So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.?? Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.?? -- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
|
? net log for March 11th. n3spw? John k3pj? Phil kc3khv Dave kc3zuf? Josiah k5tel Tim k3dml Dana ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Richard Brnik via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 9:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building? Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going. ? On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars=[email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good ? ?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna? This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ?? Are there other antennas we should consider?? ? ? Good morning, Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated. Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting. So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration?? ? Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.? Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message -------- Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions. This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.?? To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment. At this point our choices are as follows: 1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.?? 2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county. 3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building. If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.? So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.?? Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.?? -- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
--
|
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Sorry, I missed the net this week, does anyone? have? a list of who checked?in this week?? I have a list from?day one and would like?to keep in going.
Rich
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 12:17?PM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Kb3wbt again, after looking at reviews as Ed said, we might have to keep looking, but concept is good
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do ?Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
?Sounds like it would work for what we¡¯re wanting to do
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 11, 2025, at 9:38?AM, John Szwarc via groups.io <johnszwarc@...> wrote:
? Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
On Mar 11, 2025, at 6:19?AM, John Szwarc via groups.io <johnszwarc@...> wrote:
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
It looks like most of the negative reviews center around the antenna being out of tune and a couple mention the center connector having loose hardware.
?Antennas like this are typically shipped a bit long so they can be tuned (shortened) to the frequency desired. ?Tuning should be done prior to installing it. ? This is due to a variety of factors that can affect the resonant frequency of the antenna. ?It¡¯s better to ship an antenna that needs shortened rather than cut it for a specific frequency only to find that it¡¯s too short (frequency is too high) due to environmental issues. ?
As far as the loose hardware at the center connector, I suppose it should be checked before instating it. ?And sealed as best as possible. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 11, 2025, at 10:55?AM, Ed Kumm via groups.io <edkumm@...> wrote:
? My only concern is that the reviews aren¡¯t great. On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 10:21?AM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: That's something like I was talking about, reasonable price, and if mounted with a pulley, we can check it ourselves, if it needs service, so it gets my vote
As long as that covers all the bands you¡¯d want it looks like a good deal to me. Small and resonant with up to 1500 watts. I¡¯d agree that at that price they should think much about it.? Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
My only concern is that the reviews aren¡¯t great.
On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 10:21?AM Lasse kb3wbt via <kvantlars= [email protected]> wrote: That's something like I was talking about, reasonable price, and if mounted with a pulley, we can check it ourselves, if it needs service, so it gets my vote
As long as that covers all the bands you¡¯d want it looks like a good deal to me. Small and resonant with up to 1500 watts. I¡¯d agree that at that price they should think much about it.? Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
That's something like I was talking about, reasonable price, and if mounted with a pulley, we can check it ourselves, if it needs service, so it gets my vote
As long as that covers all the bands you¡¯d want it looks like a good deal to me. Small and resonant with up to 1500 watts. I¡¯d agree that at that price they should think much about it.? Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Re: HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
As long as that covers all the bands you¡¯d want it looks like a good deal to me. Small and resonant with up to 1500 watts. I¡¯d agree that at that price they should think much about it.?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this antenna?
| |
This would give us the 80/40/20/15/10 meter bands. ??
Are there other antennas we should consider??
?
Good morning,
Mike, thank you for your input.? It's appreciated.
Everyone, After sending that first email on this topic, Allen K3HOC had a conversation with Scott, our EMA Director, and he wants to know sooner rather than later what it will cost for a new antenna.? So we really have a day or so to decide what it is we want and get that information to Scott.? He didn't say the county would purchase it, but he wants the info ASAP.? I suspect it's a matter of costs.? In the commercial world antennas cost thousands of dollars.? In the amateur radio world you can get a really high end HF antenna for about $1,000 or less.? A decently performing amateur antenna can be had for a couple hundred dollars or less.? It's a different?scale.? So I suspect that if this antenna is a couple hundred?dollars or less he's probably?going to green light a purchase.? Just my guess.? But we need to get information?to him about what it will cost soon. It's not going to wait until the next meeting.
So I believe?what we're looking for is a RESONANT multi-band antenna that can easily?be installed for not a lot of money.? By resonant, I mean one that can be used without an antenna tuner.? Something like a fan dipole or trap dipole antenna but not a G5RV.? The G5RV requires the use of an antenna tuner.? With that said, what specific antennas can anyone point us to for consideration??
Thank you.
John
Hi John. I sent my antenna thoughts to you by text message. Sorry I will miss our meeting Thursday.?
Mike
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------
Date: 3/10/25 12:30 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: [W3CPA] HF Antenna at Clearfield EMA Building
Everyone,
This morning a tower crew was on the tower at the Clearfield EMA building and, while doing other maintenance,?they took a peak at the non-functional HF dipole? inverted V antenna.? What they found was a center balun that was in really rough?shape.? Clearly it's not going to work.? As a result they brought the dipole down awaiting further instructions.
This antenna is owned by the Clearfield?County EMA.? ?Back in 2019 a MFJ G5RV antenna was purchased as a replacement by the county.? The selection of a G5RV antenna was made by the then CCARC President Gary W3CUB. For those not familiar with the G5RV antenna, it is a non-resonant antenna and requires the use of an antenna tuner.? The staff at the time from Centre Communications felt this antenna was the wrong type for the tower installation.? As a result this antenna was never installed and has since been lost.??
To facilitate?operations?at the EMA Allen K3HOC is leaving a coax on the ground near the tower fence line that we can temporarily?connect to the antenna of our choice.? Rich N3RBJ has a multi-band vertical stick antenna which he plans to bring on Thursday so we can use the HF radios for Radio?Night.? That gets us on the air for the moment.
At this point our choices are as follows:
1. Inform the county of the need for a new antenna and see if they have funding to replace it.??
2. The club could purchase a new antenna and donate it to the county.
3. Build a home brew antenna for use at the EMA building.
If we want the county to purchase one, or if we decide to purchase it ourselves, we will need to know what we want.? So we need to come up with a decision on this rather quickly.? The alternative is to build one home-brew style.? I have a home-brewed 20 meter dipole which I can bring on Thursday as a show and tell.? Building one like this as a multi-band fan dipole would be an easy project and would cost us about $20 to $30.?
So lots to think?about.? The Radio Night is this week, Thursday the 13th at 7 PM.? Last month we had a lot of fun getting acquainted with the digital mode FT8 on HF.? I'd expect that this month we can actually make some contacts with the mode.? Hoping to see a good crew there again.? The business meeting will be on Thursday March 27th and we'll need to come to a decision?at that point.??
Thank you to Allen K3HOC who made sure the?tower crew inspected the antenna while on the tower.? And thank you to Rich N3RBJ who has offered the temporary use of his vertical multi-band antenna.??
John N3SPW
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
-- Cell Phone: (814) 553-5649
Lasse kb3wbt