Return-Path: Received: (qmail 20391 invoked from network); 2 Apr 2000 18:04:43 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO post.thorcom.com) (212.172.148.70) by teachers.core.plus.net.uk with SMTP; 2 Apr 2000 18:04:43 -0000 Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 3.02 #1) id 12boYs-0001iJ-00 for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Sun, 02 Apr 2000 18:53:22 +0100 Received: from mailhost.netscapeonline.co.uk ([194.200.20.13]) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 3.02 #1) id 12boYq-0001hd-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Sun, 02 Apr 2000 18:53:21 +0100 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Received: from as32-s15-148-133.cwci.net ([195.44.148.133] helo=netscapeonline.co.uk) by mailhost.netscapeonline.co.uk with esmtp (Exim 3.02 #1) id 12boYZ-000374-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Sun, 02 Apr 2000 17:53:04 +0000 Message-ID: <38E77A9D.48F8506F@netscapeonline.co.uk> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Date: Sun, 02 Apr 2000 16:51:41 +0000 From: "g3kev" Organization: Netscape Online member X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.6 [en-gb]C-CCK-MCD NetscapeOnline.co.uk (Win95; I) X-Accept-Language: en-GB,en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: "rsgb" Subject: LF: have or have not Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group Sender: It was nice to hear some constructive observations about various items from a Professor and radio amateur in a recent message. A good 100 ft strumech telescopic and tilt over tower costs over £2000 but it is a good investment for a radio amateur or a commercial operator. It lasts for a lifetime and if redundant fetches a good second hand price. Some transceivers cost more than this but seldom get a mention so why single out antenna masts. Those with expensive transceivers seldom do them justice because the antennas used are generally very poor, ie the proverbial G5RV dangling just above the ground. Probably the most important factor on a radio station is the antenna which often attracts the minimum attention. If one is not inclined to launch into commercial masts, it is not hard to stack 2 x 20 ft scaffold poles for a respectable 40 ft hight and the cost is minimal. How many do this !!!!!!! I have erected this system single handed in the past and out on field days. Years ago before television it was a common sight to see a long vertical pole of some sort in every garden to optimise reception, so its nothing new but most seem to have taken a dislike to this today. They seem to favour the monstrosity of TV and FM antennas plus satellite dishes strewn across the skyline on every chimney. A good high vertical takes up very little room, is less unsightly and does wonders both on tx and rx for a radio amateur. When you point this fact out to the local planning department they find it hard to refuse an application to erect a good sized antenna for radio amateur purposes. Have not heard you Roger for a long time on 136 khz. Hope you have not given up!!!! DE G3KEV