Author Archives: K4ZA

When old friend Gary Dixon, K4MQG, called, I knew we were in for some serious work. Gary has an old FAA tower, modified to accept ham hardware. Up top, he has two big Yagis–a Create 2L 80M beam & a … Continue reading →

Lots of work, lots of travel. Managed to get N2QV’s OptiBeam 18-6 modified & repaired. Then on to mid-MO, where things were, well, interesting, to say the least. First client in St Louis was unable to meet with me due … Continue reading →

To Dayton, then to Ky, then to NC (local clients), then to MD, then to NY…a whole lotta drivin goin on, to twist a song lyric just a bit… Dayton was Dayton, meaning I saw & met lots of old … Continue reading →

Well, into every tower worker/climber’s life, a little excitement can creep in, just to keep life interesting. This Monday, for W2GD and myself, that happened in the Catskills. We were removing and then lowering the non-functioning OptiBeam OB 18-6 for … Continue reading →

Interestingly enough, only one reader remarked about the music. But several others noted I did not “discuss” the DX Convention in detail. For those of you looking or wishing this writer would serve as a “roving reporter” & provide details … Continue reading →

That song title brings a flood of memories…mostly all 60s-based. First written in 1963, then released by THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS in 1965, it finally broke nationally in 1966. It helped more-or-less divide the nation musically. You either liked … Continue reading →

Tuesday & Wednesday were spent up in the NC mountains, at the weekend getaway QTH of K0COP. David wanted a more-or-less low profile installation, so we’ve gone with 40-feet of unguyed Rohn 55G, supporting a simple Force 12 C-3 up … Continue reading →

Off to NY to hook up with climbing partner W2GD, where we are faced with yet another OptiBeam failure to resolve. Another big antenna (18-6), which shows intermittent problems on 20M only, making for a real trouble-shooting nightmare, as all … Continue reading →

Joe & I got over to W2YV’s (SK) place, & finished taking down the last RRohn 25G tower. A 15M Hy-Gain & a very nice Rutland Array’s (predecessor to Ariane Arrays) 7L 6M Yagi, which I gave to Joe for … Continue reading →

Early on (Tuesday), it didn’t appear I was actually IN the sunshine state–conditions were that bleary & dreary. But the day dawned bright ‘n sunny on Thursday, which found me at W1MBB’s West Palm Beach QTH. The task was to … Continue reading →