Before the DX Engineering radial plate

The vertical antenna I have is the Hustler 4BTV, which gives me 10–40m, and I am very happy with its performance. One shortfall for me is the method this antenna uses to fasten the ground radials. At the base of the antenna, there are two stainless steel nuts and bolts. All the radials are bunched together and fastened to one of the two nuts and bolts. The antenna works just fine this way, but for me, I wanted something better.

In my search, I found the DX Engineering radial plate. The plate is stainless steel, and it comes with 20 nuts, bolts, lock washers, and washers. If you are securing the plate to a metal post, as I was, you need to order a clamp as well. When the plate arrived, I was very impressed with the detail and its weight. It is a very high-quality product. 

Radials removed

The first order of business was to take the Hustler 4BTV down and then remove the antenna mounting bracket. This would allow me to place the new radial plate over the mounting post and secure it. Once that was done, I then reattached the Hustler 4BTV mounting bracket to the mounting post as well. The antenna mounting bracket and the new radial plate connect via the metal mounting post.

As this mounting post is a fence post and can become corroded from exposure to the weather, I installed two jumpers from the antenna mounting bracket to the new radial plate. I then connected the ground rod cable to the plate. From there, it was simply a matter of securing all the radials to the new plate. 

New plate and bracket installed

While I was doing this, I decided to take the cover off the Balun Designs 1:1 balun to see how it looked. As you can see from the picture in my post, it looks brand new.

1:1 Balun

Radials installed

New jumpers installed

 

Show Notes

Topic Wheel

• Introducing HamWorldSpectrumToolsTracker - A New Site
  • Source: https://lhs.fyi/M3 (Reddit)

This Weekend in Hedonism

• Cheryl’s Recipe Corner
  • Chicken Zucchini Casserole
  • Description:
    • Summer is the time to use up garden-fresh veggies and do something easy so you don’t spend time slaving over a hot stove.
  • Ingredients
    • 6 ounces boxed stuffing mix (such as Stove Top)
    • ½ cup butter, melted
    • 4 diced zucchini, (about 4-5 cups of bite size pieces)
    • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced into small pieces
    • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, optional
    • 10 ½ ounces canned cream of chicken soup, (1 can)
    • ½ onion, diced
    • ½ cup sour cream
  • Directions
    • Preheat oven to 350℉.
    • In a large bowl, combine the stuffing mix and melted butter. Set aside ½ cup of the mixture for topping.
    • Add zucchini, cooked chicken, Mozzarella cheese, cream of chicken soup, onion and sour cream to the stuffing in the large bowl.
    • Spread zucchini mixture in an even layer in a 9 x 13 inch glass pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Sprinkle reserved stuffing mix on top and bake, uncovered, for 40-50 minutes or until cooked through and the top is golden brown.
    • If you would like to add more seasoning, you can use garlic powder, parmesan cheese, green onions, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. If you don’t have zucchini, you can use yellow squash instead (or a mixture of the 2).
  • Notes:
    • Try using a rotisserie chicken from the deli for this recipe to save time and add a savory flavor.
• Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner
  • Cucumber Margarita
  • Description:
    • Again, summer veggies can easily be introduced to adult beverages and are very refreshing!
  • Ingredients
    • Salt (for rimming the glass)
    • 2 1/2 ounces cucumber-infused tequila (recipe below)
    • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
    • 3/4 ounce triple sec
    • 1 slice cucumber (for garnish)
    • Cucumber-Infused Tequila
    • 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced crosswise
    • 1 750-ml bottle blanco tequila
  • Directions
    • Make the Margarita
    • Wet the rim of an old-fashioned or margarita glass and dip it in salt. Let stand until dry. Fill the glass with ice.
    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cucumber-infused tequila (recipe below), lime juice, and triple sec. Shake for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
    • Strain the cocktail into the rimmed glass and garnish with the cucumber slice.
    • To Make the Cucumber-Infused Tequila
    • In a large pitcher or mason jar, combine the sliced cucumbers and the tequila. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours.
    • Strain the tequila into a clean pitcher or jar; discard the spent cucumbers.
  • Notes:
    • How long will cucumber infused tequila last?
      • The cucumber-infused tequila can be stored at room temperature or chilled for up to 3 months.
    • Do you have to infuse tequila ahead of time?
      • If you’re looking to make a single-serving version of this cocktail and want to avoid the hassle of infusing an entire bottle of tequila, a similar profile can be achieved by muddling two slices of fresh cucumber with the 2 1/2 ounces of tequila. Simply muddle well before adding the rest of the ingredients to your shaker and following the rest of the recipe as indicated.
• Bill’s Whatever Corner
  • Item: Buchanan’s Deluxe World Cup Scotch
  • Description: The Buchanan’s Deluxe World Cup collection is a limited-edition series of 12-year-old blended Scotch whisky bottles released for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Designed in partnership with the LA fashion and design collective Kids of Immigrants, the four-bottle collection features vibrant, football-themed packaging celebrating fan culture.
  • The Collection Details:
    • The Bottles: Includes three uniquely designed bottles of Buchanan’s DeLuxe 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky and one bottle of Buchanan’s Pineapple flavored spirit.
    • The Designs: Named ‘El Ritmo | La Calle’, ‘Mi Gente | Mi Juego’, ‘Un Balón | Un Sueño’, and ‘El Golazo | La Fiesta’, honoring the journey from the street to the stadium.
    • The Liquid: The 12-year Deluxe inside remains the classic, smooth blend with signature notes of honey, citrus, and mild oak (40% ABV).
    • Availability: Available across the U.S. at select retailers and online platforms like TheBar.

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Support the show!  
    • Support us via Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Sharing the Podcast via Social Media, and Rating Us in your Podcast Application!  You can also share our Facebook page to your friends!
  • We need your feedback!
    • Comments, Questions, Show Topic Ideas! Email us at [email protected]
  • Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
    • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026.  Everyone is welcome!  If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!
    • Facebook event page: https://lhs.fyi/mem
• Feedback:
  • YouTube Comment on Episode 621 from @PaulGriffith 
    • Would this run on a Pi Zero? You didn’t say how much memory it took to run OscarWatch..

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Facebook
  • Eric Baber - W8WEB
• X / Twitter
  • @slowdancert
• Discord
  • Forrest KD2MZH
  • Layla
  • W0NSX John
• Live Show Participants
  • Steve - KJ5T
  • Mike - K6GTE

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 220 is now available for download.

Our latest experiments with Mesh Networking. Tommy builds a Solar Powered Mesh Node.
Emile talks about the rapidly growing Gulf Coast Mesh Network and demonstrates his equipment.
George unboxes an Elecrow Solar Powered M6 Thinknode.
And Mike opens up his new solar powered AM/FM/SW/BT radio to see what makes it tick.

Download
YouTube

I recently purchased a 2025 Ford F-150 truck that I am enjoying very much. I traded in my 2013 F-150 using all kinds of justifications but mostly I just wanted a new truck. That could be a story for another day. Of course, that brings up the need to install a ham radio in it. ... Read more

The post My 2025 Ford F-150 Radio Install (VGC N7600) appeared first on Above Average Terrain.

Show Notes

Featured Topic:

• Interview with Sebastián Delmont (KI2D)
  • Sebastián was last with us on Episode 573 https://lhs.fyi/573 talking to us about Ham2K Portable Logger (PoLo) Project.
  • Sebastián expanded his popular mobile Ham2K PoLo (Portable Logger) into a next-generation desktop logging application code-named HaLo (Ham2K Logger Next Edition). It brings the clean, modern interface of the mobile app to Windows, macOS, Linux, and Web environments, utilizing physical keyboards and larger screens
  • Key Features of Ham2K Logger Next Edition:
    • Cross-Platform: Built natively for Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers.
    • Optimized for Desktops: Tailored to leverage full physical keyboards, wide screen real estate, and advanced radio/CAT control.
    • POTA and Contest Friendly: Retains the smooth workflow used for Parks on the Air (POTA) alongside modern template support.
    • Free and Open Source: Continues the community-driven, open-source philosophy of the original mobile PoLo project
  • Resources:
    • HaLo Download: https://lhs.fyi/M2

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Support the show!  
    • Support us via Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Sharing the Podcast via Social Media, and Rating Us in your Podcast Application!
  • We need your feedback!
    • Comments, Questions, Show Topic Ideas! 
  • Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
    • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026.  Everyone is welcome!  
    • Facebook event page: https://lhs.fyi/mem
    • Comments, questions, etc: [email protected]

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Facebook
  • David DesOrmeaux
• Mastodon
  • [email protected]
  • [email protected]
• Discord
  • GHzandOctain
  • Kevin-W8NI
• Live Show Participants
  • Mike - K6GTE

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Ed Durrant DD5LP and Frank Howell K4FMH to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Ham Radio ATU's.

We would like to thank our and monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

• Father-And-Son Dxpedition Team Adds An APRS Mission
• Space Station Logs Historic First ARISS Contact with Kenya
• UK's Leading Observatory Earmarked for Shutdown
• An Incredible Experience. In the Austrian Alps, No less!
• HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Parties Target the Perseids
• Examinations Standards Committee Annual Report
• International Dog Day and International Cat Day Special Event