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Just finished swapping the SO-239 connectors on the gamma match plates to right angle SO-239. That eliminates needing an adapter to connect the coax. One less tiny bit of loss, two less things to weatherproof or worry about loosening. Tomorrow I'll see if I can borrow a buddy's MFJ-269 and start the tuning. I still don't know if the latest spacings are with the shortened elements though, so I'll try them first with the uncut elements and see how it looks.

I considered using N connectors, because they're better connectors, but 90% of my coax cables have PL-259s on both ends, so I'd still need adapters.

If all goes well and I get it tuned up I plan to give it a good field test on Sunday. My local club is supporting a "Lakes & Grapes" 100 mile bike ride to several local wineries on Sept 8th and this Sunday my task is to go to each of the rest areas along their route and see what conditions are like contacting another station at the Start/Finish line where our NCS will probably be. The longest straight line distance will be just over 26 miles, but with the rest area in a river valley and a couple of hills in the way I think it's going to be very "iffy", so the beam will help. I'll try this beam mast mounted on the truck at an elevation of about 24'. If I need to go higher I have 48' of mast I can use, but I'll have to get some locals to help with the guys.

(If needed I also have an Elk 144/440 5 element log I can use instead)

<blockquote data-quote="KJ4VOV" data-source="post: 385786" data-attributes="member: 15173">Just finished swapping the SO-239 connectors on the gamma match plates to right angle SO-239.&nbsp; That eliminates needing an adapter to connect the coax.&nbsp; One less tiny bit of loss, two less things to weatherproof or worry about loosening.&nbsp; Tomorrow I&#039;ll see if I can borrow a buddy&#039;s MFJ-269 and start the tuning.&nbsp; I still don&#039;t know if the latest spacings are with the shortened elements though, so I&#039;ll try them first with the uncut elements and see how it looks.I considered using N connectors, because they&#039;re better connectors, but 90% of my coax cables have PL-259s on both ends, so I&#039;d still need adapters.If all goes well and I get it tuned up I plan to give it a good field test on Sunday.&nbsp; My local club is supporting a &quot;Lakes &amp; Grapes&quot; 100 mile bike ride to several local wineries on Sept 8th and this Sunday my task is to go to each of the rest areas along their route and see what conditions are like contacting another station at the Start/Finish line where our NCS will probably be.&nbsp; The longest straight line distance will be just over 26 miles, but with the rest area in a river valley and a couple of hills in the way I think it&#039;s going to be very &quot;iffy&quot;, so the beam will help.&nbsp; I&#039;ll try this beam mast mounted on the truck at an elevation of about 24&#039;.&nbsp; If I need to go higher I have 48&#039; of mast I can use, but I&#039;ll have to get some locals to help with the guys.(If needed I also have an Elk 144/440 5 element log I can use instead)</blockquote>

[QUOTE="KJ4VOV, post: 385786, member: 15173"] Just finished swapping the SO-239 connectors on the gamma match plates to right angle SO-239. That eliminates needing an adapter to connect the coax. One less tiny bit of loss, two less things to weatherproof or worry about loosening. Tomorrow I'll see if I can borrow a buddy's MFJ-269 and start the tuning. I still don't know if the latest spacings are with the shortened elements though, so I'll try them first with the uncut elements and see how it looks. I considered using N connectors, because they're better connectors, but 90% of my coax cables have PL-259s on both ends, so I'd still need adapters. If all goes well and I get it tuned up I plan to give it a good field test on Sunday. My local club is supporting a "Lakes & Grapes" 100 mile bike ride to several local wineries on Sept 8th and this Sunday my task is to go to each of the rest areas along their route and see what conditions are like contacting another station at the Start/Finish line where our NCS will probably be. The longest straight line distance will be just over 26 miles, but with the rest area in a river valley and a couple of hills in the way I think it's going to be very "iffy", so the beam will help. I'll try this beam mast mounted on the truck at an elevation of about 24'. If I need to go higher I have 48' of mast I can use, but I'll have to get some locals to help with the guys. (If needed I also have an Elk 144/440 5 element log I can use instead) [/QUOTE]

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