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Photograph One illustrates completion of vertical section(s) one and two. I worked my lower back while winding but I’m confident the helical wind itself met my exacting standards. Duct tape used to secure every twelfth or so winding. My plan is glue the helical wind after field testing and final standing wave measurements are taken.

Photograph two taken of third man or a pair of vice grips used to secure first section wire splice. We discussed the wire splice illustration in the ARRL’s Antenna Handbook and concluded its six inch requirement with twist is best for dipole-like tensions. I scraped enamel coating from each AWG #14 solid core wire prior to soldering.

Photograph three depicts section one and two layout after completion of winding using a spool as illustrated in photograph two. The spool facilitated downward and upward motion creating enough necessary tension to wind antenna wire.

Photograph four captures approximate 1/2 inch winds thus far consuming 201 feet of copper wire between first and second sections.

Photograph five taken of a pair of slugs used to connect both sections. I opted for this type of connection as mechanically sound versus alligator clips given the potential for lateral motion. I’m constructing the antenna as a portable type rather than fixed. However I might be corrected on connection terms because I simply forgot after leaving the hardware store.

Remaining Project Objectives.
Section one is 45 percent complete and we’re fast approaching capacitance hat construction in the near future. Likewise, we’re discussing type of feed line for example, coaxial or window line as suggested in K6MM’s instructions. Furthermore, I’m brainstorming how-to fit 1/4 wave radials into the lot in the backyard, any suggestions?

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

P.S. Read K3LR’s method of installing a PL259 connector with photographs (link).

XR0Y Videoblog part 7 from SQ8X on Vimeo.

Team work leads to success.

Obstacles whatever they maybe either strengthen a team or creates cliquish-like behavior ultimately diminishing team potential. In the previous installment, Stan faced his deepest challenge through the darkest of the night. Instead, when everything from weather to human nature seemed against him, SQ8X followed the team’s mission and goal statement.

Zbig, SP7HOV tied in the entire experience while Stan questioned him about the RTTY swarm on 17 meters, “Beautiful.”

Believe in your signal.

Series Three Episode Eight of the ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast. News Stories include:-

• DRM minimum receiver requirements
• The Birth of British Broadcasting
• UK CubeSail satellite (Joke?)
• Calls on Iran to stop jamming
• Peers fear backlash over radio 
• 760–780 MHz Experimental License 
• GB3GJ online by end of May
• 9kHz Receiving Equipment
• Revival of Worked All Ireland 
• Understanding SDR
• Lottery award for ARC
• Ham makes Great Smoky Mountains rescue 
• New version of ROS released
• Improvements to licences in Bahrain 
• Copper Wire (Joke)

Your feedback, upcoming events and Martin (M1MRB) reviews Peak Electronics test equipment.

XR0Y – part 6 – we are at Rapa Nui! from SQ8X on Vimeo.

Stan, SQ8X’s positive attitude reflects an ability to bring together like minded team members. A successful team, in most cases, will mirror the attitude of its leadership.

Leadership is exemplified by one’s ability to connect with zeitgeist or the spirit of the times. SQ8X demonstrates essential qualities like empathy in addition to persevering against adversity. Perseverance is a quality of leadership that I admire. Life is not always a silver spoon and how one deals with adversity is a good measure of character.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

The diode I ordered yesterday to do the mod on the TH-205E came this morning, but it is a bit big.

It looks as if I might have to use a thin wire link after all.

The diodes I ordered have a rating of 3A whereas the one specified by Kenwood – part number ERB83-004 – is rated at 2A. You can see an ERB83-004 which is used as a reverse polarity protection diode mounted vertically just to the left of where I hoped to put this one in. It is much smaller.

There is room for the big diode but it will not be easy to get a soldering iron bit in and trying to solder such heavy leads to the thin leftovers of the old one could result in more problems.

Back to the drawing board.

RadioSport Russia | Yuri Gagarin International DX.
Building a successful franchise is a patient endeavor and RadioSport Russia is on the way toward that goal. There is an interesting twist to this event — satellite contacts are permissible. Additionally, there are few locations on the globe actually launching space vehicles and one can log the following…

1. RT3F — Cosmonaut Training Center.
2. RS3A — Laboratory of Space Engineering.
3. R3K — Russian Space Flight Control Center.
4. UP7Z — Expedition of Kazakhstan amateur radio operators to Soyuz 17 landing site.

Rules (link).

RadioSport Asia | Japan International DX.
Fun for the west coast of the United States and an opportunity to pass out needed -Qs to those supporting our RadioSport results.

Rules (link).

RadioSport USA | Georgia QSO Party.
Splitting an event into two time periods is an excellent idea and the Georgia QSO Party provides such an opportunity. One can relax in the shack and have time enough for family through the weekend.

Rules (link).

SFI = 76 | A-index = 11 | K-index = 2 | Sunspot Count is 23 @ 1211UTC.

XR0Y Videoblog – Part 5 from SQ8X on Vimeo.

Imagine first. Create vision. Develop plan. Build team. Delegate objectives. Lead with positive attitude. Fulfill dream. Repeat process.

Departure day arrives and one observes Stan’s anticipation after months of planning, sleepless nights, and countless hours of coordination. His reaction to this moment is priceless.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.