Message-ID: <37029DC7.45C2F33B@cableol.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 23:12:23 +0100
From: "Steve Rawlings" <steve.rawlings@cableol.co.uk>
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
Subject: Re: LF: Weekend report 27-29 March
References: <E10RaeO-0000jp-00@mserv1a.u-net.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Sender: <owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Precedence: bulk
Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org

Mike G3XDV wrote:

> . . . . .
> Saturday [27] March
>
> Heard G3YXM (599), PA0LQ (549), G4GVC (599), G3KEV (599),
> GW4ALG using his balloon-supported 20m vertical (599 - best yet),
> EI0CF (549). And a very weak signal ending in 'PY', perhaps
> DF2PY.

Thank you for the fine report, Mike.

I didn't have much spare time for operating last weekend - which is a
pity because the ground was dry on Saturday, and the balloon-supported
vertical seemed to be working well.  For those interested, my log for
the 27th reads:
06:53  PA0LQ         sent 559/received 429   (always a good signal here)

07:49  G3OLB         579/589   (now returned from his hols)
11:34  DF0WD        439/449   (our second QSO)
11:50  EI0CF           579/449   (nice to work you again, Finbar!)
21:10  PA0AWN     459/519   (a new one)

I'm currently making a new support for my experimental vertical so that
it will be easier (and safer) to put up and take down the basic 12 m
mast in my small garden.  Up until recently, I have been pushing up a
section of aluminium ladder with the 10 m fibreglass pole lashed to the
top.  This has been a risky business - especially in windy weather!

Instead, I am installing a 4 m length of 50 mm  x  100 mm planed timber
up against the children's garden swing (which is also made of wood).
The 10 m pole is to be fitted to a light-weight wooden runner that will
slide into tracks fitted to the 100 mm face of the timber.  This way, I
only need to raise the lightweight 10 m pole and place it alongside the
timber.  I will then push the runner (+ pole) up the track and lock the
runner into position.  If it works, I'll be testing the new
configuration very early on Saturday morning.

That's the news from Chepstow.  Skeds welcome (in addition to weekends,
I will be QRV during the day April 12th - 16th).

Regards to all,
Steve GW4ALG
01291 625977 (+44 1291 625977)
steve.rawlings@cableol.co.uk