The most recent addition to the ham shack is a new automatic antenna tuner, the Palstar AT-AUTO. This auto tuner boasts a 1500 watt power rating, and interfaces directly with the CAT functionality of the radio to speed tuning when switching frequencies or bands. All preliminary testing indicates that it will be a good match for the shack. Obviously, this takes us a step closer to being capable of operating a QRO station in the near future. So far the only disadvantage we can see is the size of the tuner. That's not the computer underneath the monitor! It's a big mother. Check out the full details at www.palstar.com

We have finally gotten around to getting back on VHF and UHF recently, and put some new and surplus equipment to good use. Pictured in the image is the FT-897 which will serve as the primary VHF/UHF radio as well as a backup HF rig. This rig came from Neil, N4NI. The computer running HRD is a surplus HP Brio that Gary, N9VU donated to the cause. David, KG4SNN provided the flat panel monitor and also the telephone seen in the photograph.. Thanks to all for their contributions. The radio has been tested on VHF FM and SSB and is working repeaters all around Virginia and North Carolina. The same triband Diamond antenna is connected with 7/8 inch hardline.

In other news: there is full time internet and phone service. The GMRS repeater has been in routine use coordinating the activities at the shack. Recent additions to the repeater include a local microphone and speaker for use while at the site. Plans for a full time battery backup are in the immediate future. There has also been some serious DX worked recently including Pacific Islands, Africa and Asia. Stay tuned for more, and come on by and fire up the radios.

Two more videos have been produced from the day the antennas went up. What can I say, I've had other stuff to do. Open this story to check out Doug putting the final checks on everything and making some comments to Eric. There will be one more video coming in the next week or so.

It is official....The electricity is turned on, and the refrigerator is full of beer and other beverages. Stop by and refresh yourself.

Here is the first few videos of the antenna installation. The videos show installation of the KT36XA M2 tribander and the 6M9KHW M2 6 meter beam. Features KD4GIE, KG4KXV, KD4BPZ and others! Take a close look and enjoy. The longest video is 10 mins long, the rest are fairly short and all are entertaining. There will be more videos in a few days as well.




Open this story for more videos!

Revised at 1600hrs - some pics have been uploaded to the media gallery...videos soon!



The crane came and went yesterday, and work commenced on both the 6 meter antenna and the KT36XA triband antenna that needed to be hoisted up. This antenna went up a lot smoother than the other one. Stay tuned for more info, videos and pictures about the operation that should be posted today. Be sure to open this article for two more pictures.

A crane will be on site on July 3 at 0730 to put the KT36XA HF antenna in place on the tower. Please let us know if you are available to come out and be a part of the crew that morning. I also am looking for someone with a video camera. There are also plans to straighten a couple of the bent elements on the 6 meter antenna.

Six is charged up today with stateside, Canadian and European operators on the air. So I ran out and hooked up to the antenna. Thanks to EA1GAR, F6KHM, EA1WZ, VE1GBD and AB1JM who was mobile and QRP for the first QSO with KD4BPZ. The antenna certainly did a fine job on these first QSOs.

Nobody really knows exactly what it will take to slap a 49 foot long antenna on top of a 90 foot tower until you are actually doing it. This antenna went up with minimal issues yesterday in a surprise quick attack that involved several people. Check the rest of the story.

On Sunday Doug and I ran two more sections of hardline up the tower. One piece is 1/2 inch andrews for the HF antenna and the other is 7/8 inch andrews for the 6 meter antenna. Here is a couple of pics. This makes four pieces of hardline that are currently on the tower, including two other sections of 7/8 inch.