Maco M 105 element H/V

[Mr Clean]

Starting to put one up. Got some trees cut down and starting to dig hole as soon as ground dries for Tower. I have a question. If I use a Beta match will I have to change element spacing or how long they are? Thanks in advance.

 

[W5LZ]

The spacing shouldn't make any difference as far as the matching device goes. Neither will the lengths of director/reflectors. The driven element is a different story, and it's length -could- change because of any changes in the matching device. Can't tell you how much, or which way that length may change, or even it it would, never tried that before.
- 'Doc

 

[Mr Clean]

Hole is dug and crete will be poured tuesday. Will try and snap some pics. 4x4x4 is a BIG hole to dig by hand. Me and a bud did it in 4 hours. Glad I dont do it for a living.

 

[Drifter]

Any updates??? Pictures?

 

[Mr Clean]

Not much else done but did get some ground cable and going to paint the mast today. Need to let crete set another week or so before I stat going up.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

FWIW I know what they say about waiting but I put my tower up three days after the base was poured. I had riggers install a 220 foot AM broadcast tower on a concrete pier less than a week after it was poured. Go for it man!

 

[RickC.]

I'd hate for you to be a broken man on a Halifax pier....

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I'd hate for you to be a broken man on a Halifax pier....

Oh man, that's a great song isn't it. It may be a Stan Roger's song but The Irish Decedents do the best job on that.

 

[RickC.]

It is indeed! I first heard of The Irish Descendents from a Northern Telecom (now Nortel of course) contractor from Newfoundland who was down here working in the mid-90s. I had heard the song before, but as you say, they did it up right.

My stepson is in a band that does that song now-- their vocals aren't quite the same, but it's still a great song.

Anyway, you being in Nova Scotia, I couldn't resist stealing that line!

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Anyway, you being in Nova Scotia, I couldn't resist stealing that line!

And with me being in Nova Scotia I could not deny knowing that song. :laugh:

 

[RickC.]

Oh, I figured you would!

Now I'll have to go home tonight and dig out some Stan Rogers... and some Cape Breton also. I haven't listened to Howie McDonald or Jerry Holland in a while, I think they're due.

 

[RickC.]

Sorry to send your thread off on a tangent, Mr. Clean....

But- the DE with a beta match usually ends up being a bit shorter because of the way an inductive match works. I say "a bit" because it's hard to predict until you start tuning it. Maybe an inch per side, maybe 3 or 4-- or it's possible not at all, depending on the height above ground, surrounding structures, etc.

(Oh, and Great Big Sea is another good band from up Captain Kilowatt's way... )


Rick

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

As a note about the Beta match, in a lot of cases the driver element ends up actually being the shortest element on the boom. that of couse depends on how many directors you have.In my gain optimised six element 6m yagi the driver was a full inch shorter than the first director and only about three inches longer than the last director.

 

[Mr Clean]

I may just use the gammas. I have them but who knows. Did post afew pics of the tower on another thread. Mast looks more grey in the pics but the more it dries the more chrome like it looks. Wont be off for another week and lots of 12s in there but give me a month and I should be done. Im kinda intimidated by the antenna building part. Anything you have found as far as small improvements or tricks are welcome. Do you think a rookie would have any problems with assembly or should I get a few mechenical buds involved? Also how do you tune the vert side as far as SWR goes. Just set it about like the flat when you get it tuned in or what? One last thing I have #4 braided cable for the ground rods. Would mashing it as flat as I can with a vice after putting the lugs on make it work better in case of a strike?