Spokane DX Association

Reference this SDXA link for additional information in the Contest Results:

SALMON RUN RESULTS

What his neighbor sees looking towards the antenna farm at Lamar WA7LT. Hidden by trees is the Rohn 25 tower.

ROTATORS – By Dan, N5AR

The mast clamp on some rotators is a fixed part on the main rotator body. On others it is bolted to the main body and may be moved in its attachment point to the rotator body. This includes the Yaesu, M Squared and many other rotators.

Most tower installations use 1 or 2 thrust bearings on the tower which establish the mast axis of rotation. The sequence of tightening the bolts on the mast clamp, the clamp to rotator attachment, and the rotator to mounting plate is important to attain a non binding system. Pete, N4ZR described the proper tightening sequence perfectly on Tower Talk so I will just quote him directly.

A trick that takes advantage of the Yaesu mast clamp’s centering capabilities – Tighten the mast clamp on the mast first, with all the other bolts loose; then tighten the bolts that hold the clamp to the top of the rotator, using the index marks on the rotator case to get it centered; finally, tighten the bolts that hold the rotator to the shelf. The shelf holes have enough adjusting room to take up normal amounts of misalignment.

73, Pete N4ZR

If your rotator has a mast clamp which is part of the rotator body, you must shim the mast clamp until the mast center of rotation is the same as the rotators before mounting the rotator.

73, Dan, N5AR

Dan N5AR in Deer Park, WA at the base of his “big” tower. Model HDX-5130. There are 6 overlapping sections, each 30 ft long. Wind rating 30sf in 80mph wind. Base is 6x6x11 1/2 ft. There are 12 anchor bolts 1 3/4 x 48 inches. Digital readout of height on a microprocessor in a weathertight box at the base. anemometer at the tower top which causes the tower to automatically lower when a preset wind velocity is reached. It does not have a remote control for raising and lowering from the house though I have talked to them about providing that. They think it could be done without too much modification. The mast is 20 ft of 2 7/8 x 1/4 wall 4130 chrome moly.

The “big” tower

The major antennas. The antenna on the big tower is a 20m 6 element KLM on a 57 ft boom. The left tower is a 72 ft UST TX472 with a Force12 2element 40/4element 20 and above that a 5 element 6m. The vertical in the center is a HyTower extended from the normal 52ft to 67ft. There are 2 of them in a phased array for 80m. The tower on the right is a 52ft Rohn 25 with a Force12 4BA for 17/15/12/10.

SPOKANE DX ASSOCIATION MINUTES
MARCH 2, 2006
7:00 P.M.

Steve called the meeting to order.

The program for this evening is preliminary preparation for Field Day 2006
presented by Randy (K7TQ). Field Day will be June 24th and 25th.

Next months meeting will have FT5XO DVD Kerguelen DX-pedition

The dues for 2006 are now due. This is final call.

Members Present this Evening: (24)
Bob, AC7GP
Dave, AC7MV
Steve, K7AWB
Bill, K7EFB
Gary, K7OX
Todd K7PKT
Randy, K7TQ
Marybeth, KC7QGV
Loren, KD7OCT
John, KE7CSF
Rolf, KK7LX
Dan, N5AR
Earl, N7ER
Corky, NQ7V
Doug, W3AS
George, W6AEA
Jay, WA0WWW
Wayne, WA1PMA
Jay, WS7I
Dale, WU7X
Betsy, WV7Y
Rudy, W7FCB

W7WJK Kermit O Kruse (Visitor) Welcome

Minutes from February meeting were submitted on line. Motion to accept the
minutes as reported (motion/second/carried)

Treasurer’s Report: LaMar presented the treasurer’s report and it was
received as presented. We have $1,257.46.

Dan, N5AR, has posted items on the FOR SALE Page of the web site. He has
descriptions and pictures of items for sale. He will be listing more items
as he goes through his belongings. If anyone else has items they would like
to sell, you may prepare them and send them to Steve. He will see to
posting them.

New pictures are going up on the web page each month and this month is
featuring Dan and his antennas. Take time to go over the web page
(https://sdxa.org) and look things over.

DXCC total are up and on web page. Take a few minutes and check them out.
If there are any corrections, please contact Steve to correct them.

Hamfest plans for this fall are coming along well. The University High
School Radio Club has joined the group. ARRL will be sending a guest for
the event. It is possible that it may be Dave Henderson from the ARRL. They
will be serving a luncheon again (for a price) and there will also be a
coffee/drink and refreshment bar again. They are asking for suggestions for
Seminars. Ward Silver is being invited to present a program as well. Our
very own Loren, KD7OCT is attending the planning meetings and will update us
again next meeting.

There is a motion to submit our $400.00 seed money for the Hamfest (m/s/c)

Note: (m/s/c means motion, second, carried)

Meeting adjourns for the program to begin.

Minutes Submitted by

Marybeth Snyder, KC7QGV