No kidding! When i was a novice on 40 meter cw, some goon in my apartment building tore down my dipole antenna without even trying to talk to me first. The superintendent found it in the incinerator. JS6TMW ex- K2RDP
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On Apr 13, 2025, at 13:49, Douglas V Amateur Radio and More via groups.io <Douglasvamateurradioandmore@...> wrote:
?
I didnt become a ham until 2017, I remember hearing about people blaming hams for interferrence.? ?I do remember bunny ears and old heavy tvs from the 80s and 90s
This is not a sarcastic comment, hi hi: In a television world now defined by either cable-TV (protected by the insulated coax), internet streaming, or digital HDTV, I honestly didn't realize that TVI was still a problem anymore. I remember back in the
early 1970s when my Dad and I were first licensed, we hooked up our HW-101 into an unsightly HF vertical on the roof and were subsequently blamed for every TV problem in our neighborhood — some of it deserved and some of it because they now had something new
and tall to blame. At least those days are mostly over I think!
73, Randy K7RAN
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I didnt become a ham until 2017, I remember hearing about people blaming hams for interferrence.? ?I do remember bunny ears and old heavy tvs from the 80s and 90s
This is not a sarcastic comment, hi hi: In a television world now defined by either cable-TV (protected by the insulated coax), internet streaming, or digital HDTV, I honestly didn't realize that TVI was still a problem anymore. I remember back in the early 1970s when my Dad and I were first licensed, we hooked up our HW-101 into an unsightly HF vertical on the roof and were subsequently blamed for every TV problem in our neighborhood — some of it deserved and some of it because they now had something new and tall to blame. At least those days are mostly over I think!
73, Randy K7RAN
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Gentlemen?
Thank You for your very informative as well as humorous comments!
Greatly Appreciated?
Lars VA7LP
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Funny!
Some 15 years ago I ran 800w in to 4 yagis (22dBd) on 70cm.? Moonrise was due east, past the houses.? Also ran 1kW on 6m and 15dBd gain, pointing all over.? The antennas were in the front yard.
Never had any complaints.? Hooray for cable TV
Cliff K6CLS
On April 12, 2025 1:54:25 PM PDT, "Randy K7RAN via groups.io" <padawer@...> wrote:
This is not a sarcastic comment, hi hi: In a television world now defined by either cable-TV (protected by the insulated coax), internet streaming, or digital HDTV, I honestly didn't realize that TVI was still a problem anymore. I remember back in the early 1970s when my Dad and I were first licensed, we hooked up our HW-101 into an unsightly HF vertical on the roof and were subsequently blamed for every TV problem in our neighborhood — some of it deserved and some of it because they now had something new and tall to blame. At least those days are mostly over I think!
73, Randy K7RAN
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Back in UK have a 11m with SSB and use to knock all the TV’s and phones on the block, no cable back then and only ran like 10w, much better these days. 1kw and nobody’s complains?
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On Apr 12, 2025, at 17:01, Don N4KC <don@...> wrote:
? Randy, that reminds me of the time I was putting together a small beam on a couple of sawhorses in the backyard when my neighbor walked over and asked me what I was doing. I was honest and told him.
?
"Oh, that's what has been messing up my TV for the past month!" he told me. Well, I had been on the air on a dipole for years with no complaints, and I had not yet put RF into that beam, so I explained it to him and offered to take a look at his TV to see what might be going on. He never took me up on the offer nor did he complain once I got the antenna up and in use daily. And remained friendly...
?
73,
?
Don N4KC
?
?
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Randy, that reminds me of the time I was putting together a small beam on a couple of sawhorses in the backyard when my neighbor walked over and asked me what I was doing. I was honest and told him.
?
"Oh, that's what has been messing up my TV for the past month!" he told me. Well, I had been on the air on a dipole for years with no complaints, and I had not yet put RF into that beam, so I explained it to him and offered to take a look at his TV to see what might be going on. He never took me up on the offer nor did he complain once I got the antenna up and in use daily. And remained friendly...
?
73,
?
Don N4KC
?
?
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This is not a sarcastic comment, hi hi: In a television world now defined by either cable-TV (protected by the insulated coax), internet streaming, or digital HDTV, I honestly didn't realize that TVI was still a problem anymore. I remember back in the early 1970s when my Dad and I were first licensed, we hooked up our HW-101 into an unsightly HF vertical on the roof and were subsequently blamed for every TV problem in our neighborhood — some of it deserved and some of it because they now had something new and tall to blame. At least those days are mostly over I think!
73, Randy K7RAN
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Re: additional protection for the antenna wires
My KIO Hex has been baking in the smoking hot Arizona sun since May 14, 2016. I followed Leo’s guidelines for painting the spreaders. ?
Bought a combination of paint and primer from Home Depot and painted the poles with single coat before assembling the beam. I chose a flat green color. It’s been almost 9 years and I’ve had no problems with the spreaders. You can see a pic of it on my ?page.
73,
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On Apr 1, 2025, at 7:22?PM, Scott McDonald via groups.io <j.scottmcdonald@...> wrote:
KF7HEZ
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Re: additional protection for the antenna wires
I painted mine brown the only reason for paint was to protect the spreaders from the uv rays breaking down the fiberglass.?
Scott
KF7HEZ
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I find the gray natural color works best, o went to black and the gray did not stand out to much for me?
On Apr 1, 2025, at 20:20, Bill Hegardt <bill@...> wrote:
?
I know this is an old thread, but I am wondering if black paint is the best color for stealth against a blue/gray sky and there are no trees in the area.
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Re: additional protection for the antenna wires
I find the gray natural color works best, o went to black and the gray did not stand out to much for me?
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On Apr 1, 2025, at 20:20, Bill Hegardt <bill@...> wrote:
? I know this is an old thread, but I am wondering if black paint is the best color for stealth against a blue/gray sky and there are no trees in the area.
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Re: additional protection for the antenna wires
I know this is an old thread, but I am wondering if black paint is the best color for stealth against a blue/gray sky and there are no trees in the area.
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Thanks, Mark!
A KIO even at 28’ can work wonders. Space constraints are difficult, especially if guy wires get involved on a tall mast. They spread out fast and need a lot of room…?
Nice thing about your chimney mount, is it’s hopefully easier to work on from the roof than a ladder!
Michael - N7CCD
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On Mar 24, 2025, at 09:49, Mark - K7MWJ via groups.io <Keizer7MWJ@...> wrote:
? Great setup, Michael! I was going for that very same design, but alas, I just don't have the room here in suburbia. Your build sings to me! I even kept the thrust bearing I bought six years ago still in the box!? I had to settle for a chimney mount putting my KIO at about 28' AGL. It's works OK, but I know it can be better. Now age is creeping up and not able to think bigger. Mark - K7MWJ On Sat, Mar 22, 2025, 8:06?PM Michael Van Wormer via <michael.mrjikey= [email protected]> wrote: That sounds well engineered and more than you should need (in my unprofessional opinion;)?
I have been fine with guy wires on 3 sides using a Rh?ne 50’ push-up mast. I used screw in anchors that were (I think) 3’ long for each set of guys to go down to. My soil is very rocky, so I could not actually screw them in. I ended up using a post hole digger, and poured concrete around each anchor.?
For the guy wires themselves, you want to leave just a little slack in each line. Otherwise, too much tension will cause the mast to buckle under heavy winds. We’re tucked in the trees, so I know that helps quite a bit, but it’s been standing for 4 or 5 years now.?
It is a lot harder than I thought to lift the mast into the air once the hexbeam is installed. It took someone on each guy wire to balance it, and two of us on ladders to hoist it up to position. The 20M element is right at 50’. Once thing I wish I had added, were the oil impregnated washers I’ve read some folks have used. When the mast turns, it is a bit jerky as the guy rings slip on the mast itself.?
Here are some images for reference. Good luck!
Michael - N7CCD
? The key is the soil. If it is mixed with a lot of rocks you may not be able to drive the head down at least 24" at some spots or it may be too loose for solid purchase.? The load capacity table indicates 3" bullet anchors, properly installed in suitable soil are test rated at 1,000 pounds pullout, which should be more than sufficient.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
<image0.jpeg> <image1.jpeg> <image4.jpeg> <image5.jpeg> <image3.jpeg> <image2.jpeg>
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Great setup, Michael! I was going for that very same design, but alas, I just don't have the room here in suburbia. Your build sings to me! I even kept the thrust bearing I bought six years ago still in the box!? I had to settle for a chimney mount putting my KIO at about 28' AGL. It's works OK, but I know it can be better. Now age is creeping up and not able to think bigger. Mark - K7MWJ On Sat, Mar 22, 2025, 8:06?PM Michael Van Wormer via <michael.mrjikey= [email protected]> wrote:
That sounds well engineered and more than you should need (in my unprofessional opinion;)?
I have been fine with guy wires on 3 sides using a Rh?ne 50’ push-up mast. I used screw in anchors that were (I think) 3’ long for each set of guys to go down to. My soil is very rocky, so I could not actually screw them in. I ended up using a post hole digger, and poured concrete around each anchor.?
For the guy wires themselves, you want to leave just a little slack in each line. Otherwise, too much tension will cause the mast to buckle under heavy winds. We’re tucked in the trees, so I know that helps quite a bit, but it’s been standing for 4 or 5 years now.?
It is a lot harder than I thought to lift the mast into the air once the hexbeam is installed. It took someone on each guy wire to balance it, and two of us on ladders to hoist it up to position. The 20M element is right at 50’. Once thing I wish I had added, were the oil impregnated washers I’ve read some folks have used. When the mast turns, it is a bit jerky as the guy rings slip on the mast itself.?
Here are some images for reference. Good luck!
Michael - N7CCD
? The key is the soil. If it is mixed with a lot of rocks you may not be able to drive the head down at least 24" at some spots or it may be too loose for solid purchase.? The load capacity table indicates 3" bullet anchors, properly installed in suitable soil are test rated at 1,000 pounds pullout, which should be more than sufficient.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Thanks, Jon!
I really like your hoist setup you built. I can see modifying mine to incorporate something along those lines in the future… You’ll have to let us know how it goes.
Best of luck!
Michael - N7CCD
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On Mar 23, 2025, at 21:52, Jon Foster via groups.io <licwteach@...> wrote:
? Mike:
?
Thanks for your pictures.? My soil is rocky (the ridge I live on was really a debris field for a glacier eons ago) but I have gotten lightning rods in and just have to "work it".? ?I could also use an auger and some concrete if needed.? ?Yes to watching the slack on the lines.
?
Nice install on your end!
?
GL es 73 de KC1FUU
Jon
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Mike:
?
Thanks for your pictures.? My soil is rocky (the ridge I live on was really a debris field for a glacier eons ago) but I have gotten lightning rods in and just have to "work it".? ?I could also use an auger and some concrete if needed.? ?Yes to watching the slack on the lines.
?
Nice install on your end!
?
GL es 73 de KC1FUU
Jon
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Thanks, Larry. I also used the GS-050 thrust bearing. I think it’s really needed if mounting the rotator at the bottom of the mast. Glad to hear the PTFE grease is working. I will have to add that to each guy ring whenever I decide to get enough help to lower the thing down.?
I was just looking at my logs, and adding the hex doubled my DX entities from a dipole. It is a great antenna, but I know I’m preaching to the choir here… ;)?
Michael - N7CCD
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On Mar 23, 2025, at 04:31, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
? Nice installation, Mike.
?
We used a Yaesu GS-050 thrust bearing with the lower guy set and lubricated the upper guy ring with thick water resistant PTFE grease, which provided for smooth rotation.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Great install!
Mine is nowhere near that picturesque….
73 es God Bless,
…/Art K0ACP
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
Nice installation, Mike.
?
We used a Yaesu GS-050 thrust bearing with the lower guy set and lubricated the upper guy ring with thick water resistant PTFE grease, which provided for smooth rotation.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
That sounds well engineered and more than you should need (in my unprofessional opinion;)?
I have been fine with guy wires on 3 sides using a Rh?ne 50’ push-up mast. I used screw in anchors that were (I think) 3’ long for each set of guys to go down to. My soil is very rocky, so I could not actually screw them in. I ended up using a post hole digger, and poured concrete around each anchor.?
For the guy wires themselves, you want to leave just a little slack in each line. Otherwise, too much tension will cause the mast to buckle under heavy winds. We’re tucked in the trees, so I know that helps quite a bit, but it’s been standing for 4 or 5 years now.?
It is a lot harder than I thought to lift the mast into the air once the hexbeam is installed. It took someone on each guy wire to balance it, and two of us on ladders to hoist it up to position. The 20M element is right at 50’. Once thing I wish I had added, were the oil impregnated washers I’ve read some folks have used. When the mast turns, it is a bit jerky as the guy rings slip on the mast itself.?
Here are some images for reference. Good luck!
Michael - N7CCD
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 22, 2025, at 17:33, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
? The key is the soil. If it is mixed with a lot of rocks you may not be able to drive the head down at least 24" at some spots or it may be too loose for solid purchase.? The load capacity table indicates 3" bullet anchors, properly installed in suitable soil are test rated at 1,000 pounds pullout, which should be more than sufficient.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
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Re: Anchoring Guy lines on a 33' Telescopic Mast for Hexbeam
The key is the soil. If it is mixed with a lot of rocks you may not be able to drive the head down at least 24" at some spots or it may be too loose for solid purchase.? The load capacity table indicates 3" bullet anchors, properly installed in suitable soil are test rated at 1,000 pounds pullout, which should be more than sufficient.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
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Douglas V Amateur Radio and More
Cliff Sojourner K6CLS
Alan Brown
Don N4KC
Randy K7RAN
Jon Foster
