My Hustler 4BTV antenna has been working great for me and I have no complaints about it at all. With being close to the ocean we often get windy days. The wind gusts can reach 80km per hour and during that time I would take the 4 BTV down and store it in the shed. A company called DX Engineering sells some custom-made add-on kits for the Hustler vertical antennas. DX Engineering offers a reinforced lower section for the antenna. I have noticed even during 60 km winds the antenna sure does sway a lot. I bit the bullet and ordered the heavy-duty lower section. It was shipped the next day and the order status was sent from start to finish. To replace the lower section is very straight forward and the only step that needs to be done is a measurement from the 10m trap section down to where the lower section starts. If you match this distance up then there should be no need to return the antenna. 

The measure distance was 2 inches and I marked it with a sharpie pen. I then loosened the screw clamp and removed the lower section. I then cleaned the 10m trap tubing and reapplied some anti-seize, I then move the new lower section up to the mark and secured the screw clamp. Once the antenna was placed back on the lower base section it was time to check out the SWR. It was a pleasure to see the antenna's SWR characteristics had not changed.

We have had some windy days since then and the new lower section sure has made a difference with stability of the antenna. I am very pleased with the purchase. Unless we have winds over 80Km will I take the antenna down. 

Measure and mark

Old lower section removed

Anti-seize applied

All back together and ready to go.

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Leslie Butterfields (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and in the episode's feature is Recruiting into Ham Radio.

We would like to thank  ICQPodcast 400 Club Member Winston Lawrence, KD2WLL, Dave LeBlanc (KF7JAF) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

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Today was my birthday, it was very fitting to be presented with a nice cake from my family to help celebrate the milestone.

Of course the cake was well thought out and appropriate to my long dedication to our illustrious hobby.

Another successful event

I think we made a commendable showing this weekend,  thanks to all.  Statistics below and log attached.

Thanks to all participants and especially the new guys, Doug and Larry, who jumped in got their feet wet.  

The bands were open although a recent solar storm could have had an impact. Most remarkable was 10m which was wide open worldwide on Sunday morning. The best contact of the event was Namibia, V55Y, by John VE7TI, on Sunday afternoon 10m. Also Reunion Island FR8TZ off the SE coast of Africa.  This is a good way to learn your geography!

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Spin the Random Topic Wheel (Segment 1)

• Best Budget Amaeur Radio Antenna

This Weekend in Hedonism (Segment 2)

• Cheryl’s Recipe Corner!

• Pina Colada Cream Pie

• Description

• Pi day is upon us… and what better way to celebrate it than with a nice piece of pie!

• Ingredients

• Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

• 1/4 cups granulated sugar

• 8 tbsp butter melted

• (Or, buy a premade crust at the grocery store)

• Filling

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 8 oz cream cheese softened

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp rum extract

• 1/2 tsp clear vanilla extract

• 20 oz can crushed pineapple very well drained

• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

• Directions

• Combine the ingredients for the crust in a small bowl. Use a fork to combine. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 8 to 9.5 inch pie pan. Place in refrigerator while preparing the filling. Whisk heavy whipping cream in a mixer until stiff peaks form. Remove from bowl and chill. Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Beat in sugar and extracts until combined. Fold in whipped cream, pineapple, and coconut. Spoon into prepared crust and smooth top with an offset spatula. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with Reddi-wip and toasted coconut if desired.

• Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner

• Boston Cream Pie Martini

• Description

• What could be better than a pie-inspired cocktail?  This one sounds yummy!

• Ingredients

• 1 oz. (30ml) Vanilla Vodka

• 1 oz. (30ml) Hazelnut Liqueur

• Splash Milk

• Splash Dark Chocolate Liqueur

• Sprinkle Yellow Cake Mix

• Garnish: Chocolate Sauce/Cherry

• Directions

• Rim edge of glass with chocolate syrup and set aside. To an ice filled shaking glass add irish cream, vanilla vodka, hazelnut liqueur, dark chocolate liqueur, milk and yellow cake mix. Shake well until combined. Strain mix into rimmed glass and garnish with a cherry.

• Russ’s Drink Corner

• David Nicholson 1843 KSBW

• Description

• In 1843, David Nicholson started distilling his original bourbon recipe in the private back room of his St. Louis general store. For half a century his recipe had been passed down for generations. Eventually, the legendary Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle and W. L. Weller handcrafted Nicholson’s iconic “43” bourbon at the Stitzel distillery. The Van Winkles owned the brand until 2000 when Luxco acquired it. Still possessing the outstanding character for which it earned its original popularity in 1843, the David Nicholson legacy lives on. Aged in new charred oak barrels this wheated bourbon provides unparalleled smooth flavor and finish.

• Details

• Mashbill: 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley (approximate)

• Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

• Region: Bardstown, Kentucky

• Color: Light honey

• Nose: Honey, butter, vanilla, oak

• Taste: Butterscotch, vanilla, cane sugar, soft wheat notes, lightly toasted oak

• Finish: Lingering finish with creamy buttered toffee, wheat and a hint of baking spice

• Price: $30 (750ml)

• Rating: 89

Segment 3 (Announcements & Feedback)

• RARSfest

• Raleigh-Durham, NC

• April 8, 2023 from 8am to 3pm

• Source: https://lhs.fyi/Cs

• Sellfy Store

• https://lhspodcast.sellfy.store

• https://lhs.fyi/shop2

Segment 4 (New Subscribers, New Supporters & Live Participants)

• Facebook

• Ken Yates

• Twitter

• @Open_Embed

• YouTube

• Tomas Dratva

• M0FXB

• Mailing List

• Corner5

• Discord

• alanlisler

• thunndar

• captjimmie

• Curtis, N5BIG

• Live Chat

• Ted, WA0EIR

• Stacey, KB7YS

• Winston, KD2WLL

• Darren, VK6EK

• Don, KB2YSI

 From time to time over the past week, I have seen 3B7M dxpedition spotted on the DX Heat Cluster and most of the time I either did not hear them or they were at or below the noise floor. I knew they were there as the pile-up was alive and well and responding with their call signs hoping to make it into 3B7M log. Yesterday they were spotted on 15m at their usual CW watering hole of 21.005 and as with all dxpedition they were operating split.

It took about 10 mins to figure out where 3B7M was dropping his call, now having said that there are a lot of radios with waterfalls out there now and they too have ferreted out 3B7M's pattern. Now the game is to figure out when we're exactly to drop my call. Most of the time it's just luck that you drop your call at the right time and right place! There are times in the waterfall you see stations running a KW or more signified by a bright red line on the waterfall as well as splatter. During those times I just rest as there is no use jumping in and getting nowhere. 

It took about 20 minutes but I did finally hear 3B7M call "VE9KK 5NN". Now call me a bit skeptical but I have had times when I think that was my call or just one close to it? So I never get too excited until I check their online long which most dxpeditions have now and see if I am in it. This morning I checked and there I was in the log.